Originally Posted by yeemiau

ChinaRyukin,

Pilik-Palak's trip to Ipoh been cut short due to bad weather also they didn't go to any farm. Just some casual chit-chat at my place.

Anyway, for your fish, as you've been pushing the size by heavy feeding, this is something can't be avoid and it is very common. We had some problem like this too and more serious. We called up Japan ask asked for advise. The feedback is something quite "pleasing". Sensei said, " If you are not pushing the fish, the problem won't come. Most of the people have the same problem too. If you want nice fish, you MUST push at this stage. Therefore, solve the problem and push again!" . In another words, we are doing the right thing and on the right track.

For your problem, it is pretty simple on this case. This is mainly due to dirty water. It doesn't mean you need to alter or shorten water change schedule. Resume as usual. After water change, for mild problems, like yours, the red stuff should disappear in 2-3 days. If it is still there after that, use 0.5% salinity water to quarantine them 24 hours. This should solve everything. Also, we are facing some sudden weather change here; not sure about KL but Ipoh is quite bad. Especially long period of rainy days might bring out all sort problems. Therefore, pull a little "hand brake" on feeding if the weather is really bad; hot and cold fluctuation. This is for pre-caution measure to aviod gill problems.


Information below has got nothing to do with whatever above mentioned. Absolutely not related. Just for your info and knowledge for future reference.

There are around 9 types of gill sickness/fluke. Some very nasty and some more "friendly". So, at the rate we are pushing the fish, we are dancing on a fine line. Sooner or later, I'd say most of the people's fish somehow will come across with gill problem if pushing too hard; And, bloodworm will bring parasites. So, standing by a small amount of formalin will be good for pre-caution. If salt can't kill those nasty flukes/parasites, formalin will do the job 90% of the time. Except for some immune to formalin, masoten (mostly used by koi experts) or other chemical/medicine can be use depending on what the problem is; it only pin point to a few particular parasites.

Formalin is something very nasty and definately keep out of reach from children and inhaling it. Handling of it has to be very very careful. It is banned in some country for aquaculture industry. I've heard people been dipping slaughtered fish/chicken into diluted formalin to keep it look fresh and selling it in wet market. Maybe, that's why sometime you might possibly notice there's no flies hanging around the dead fish/chicken. It is also used by those funeral parlour people; injecting it into dead bodies to delay the rotting process. Till now, it sounds pretty scary isn't it? BUT, if you use it in a controlled environment, i think it is safe. This is an advanced topic for hobbist, if you feel unsure on this. Either not to use it and seek alternate soultion or ask more questions and do more research before you proceed with this technique.

The dosage we used are 2.5ml formalin for 100L water or 1ml for 10 L water for dipping purpose.

VERY IMPORTANT! FORMALIN + SALT = TOXIC. If your fish is soaked in salt water. You need to house them in new fresh water for 24 hour before any formalin treatment; for safety purpose. Few years ago, I was an idiot to add salt with formalin. Result = Total Lost!

P/S,
I still owe someone explaination on salt usage and theory behind it. Sorry. Will come soon.