Information on how to address fish parasites?

[Charles Sublette]

I am transitioning from the goldfish/koi pond hobby arena into the aquaponic hobby arena. I have come to realize that most of my common parasitic treatments, that are used in the goldfish/koi pond hobby, are carcinogenic and can not be used in conjunction with edible plants.

So, I am looking to see if anyone can update me or provide a reference on how fish parasites are dealt with in the aquaponic hobby since edible plants are involved.

[Charles Sublette]

After doing some research, it appears the "cure all" for parasites/bacterial/fungus is 10ppt salinity for 1 hour, then a major water change, then a 6ppt salinity for 1~2 weeks.

Been trying to find a reference guide of some sort, but the search appears to be incredibly difficult.

Is this about it or are there other products/procedures that are used?

[Joe Fisher]

I've been looking into some of this as well for prevention in new arrivals prior to adding them to the system. Heat works well with salt to kill parasites. I'll link one of the best articles I've read on the subject for koi / goldfish.

Can find it here: http://jnfkoifarms.com/symptomsofkoi/koitreatmentsqt.html.

Worth a bookmark in my opinion. Best of luck to you!

[Charles Sublette]

Yep, since involved in the pond hobby arena, I am quite aware of Mr. Fornaro at Hanover Farms. Just be aware that many of the other treatments he listed, that is outside of salt and heat, are carcinogenic thus indicates they can not be used for fish nor plants that will be for human consumption.

Of course, I will not be consuming my goldfish and koi and I setup the RAS so that it can operate while disconnected from the grow beds, but I will be wanting to do some Blue Gill and Tilapia.

Joe Fisher said:

I've been looking into some of this as well for prevention in new arrivals prior to adding them to the system. Heat works well with salt to kill parasites. I'll link one of the best articles I've read on the subject for koi / goldfish.

Can find it here: http://jnfkoifarms.com/symptomsofkoi/koitreatmentsqt.html.

Worth a bookmark in my opinion. Best of luck to you!

[Andy]

My carp/koi's had parasite problem recently (anchor worms and lice). I started adding 20 Tiger Barbs.Those Tiger Barbs eat parasites. The carps and kois are now parasite free, healthy and happy. No chemical or salt. I've learnt Manfish also prey on koi parasites, but they are much slower swimmers compared to Tiger Barbs.

Do give it try and please don't wait too long. Those parasites can kill your fish as they did mine initially (I tried salt in a separate tank but it didn't seem to kill the parasites). 

Good luck. Please update us if that works for you too. 

[larry poe]

prevention is always the best cure.......UV sterilizers can help a bit but are limited to those in the water ........

copper was an old time cure in salt water fish before corals and inverts ....you tossed a few pennys in the tank but it was a fine line between killing the paracites and killing the fish lol...

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa008

there is a link from I think it was florida university on copper and aquaculture...prob best done in an isolation tank before new fish are added so as not to affect some plants.....once paracites are in the system I would think they would be pretty much impossible to eradicate.