Ardan
05-23-2003, 07:13 AM
Using Heat as a Treatment by Ardan, May 22, 2003
Heat can be used to kill many parasites. Some parasites can not
tolerate as high of a temperature as the discus can tolerate.
Higher heat may not kill all parasites but it can stress them
enough to make other treatment strategies more effective.
Parasites that are weakened by the heat may succumb more easily
to salt and/or other medications.
Some temperatures that are effective in killing certain parasites
are as follows.
Costia parasite: 92 F for four days
Ichthyophthirius (ick): 92 F for 10 days
Oodinium (velvet): 93 F for 24 to 36 hours
Some of these parasites may have become more resistant to
these temperatures. However discus do well at 94 F for some
time.
Remember that warmer water carries less oxygen, so be sure to
use extra aeration (surface water turbulence) when using high
heat.
With an increase in temperature, the fish also produce more
antibodies to help fight infections. Higher temperatures also
increase the fish's metabolism and apetite.
Ick does not do well in normal discus temperatures of middle 80
F temperatures, so it is rarely if ever seen in discus tanks.
Bacteria may grow faster at higher temperatures, but at the same
time bacteria may not be at optimum temperatures to live at their
best, therefore, if conditions are kept clean, and proper
medication is used to fight the bacteria, high heat can "at times"
be a benefit when treating bacterial problems. Oftentimes lower
temperatures are used to fight bacterial infections while the
bacteria are reproducing at a slow rate.
When new fish are received some folks like to elevate the
temperatures to 90 F for a week to 10 days to increase the fish's
metabolism, increase apetite, and kill off possible unwanted
parasites. This is used as a preventative measure to try to ensure
healthy fish from the start.
Sources:
Handbook of Fish Diseases by Dieter Untergasser
Cary Strong of Great Lakes Discus
Heat can be used to kill many parasites. Some parasites can not
tolerate as high of a temperature as the discus can tolerate.
Higher heat may not kill all parasites but it can stress them
enough to make other treatment strategies more effective.
Parasites that are weakened by the heat may succumb more easily
to salt and/or other medications.
Some temperatures that are effective in killing certain parasites
are as follows.
Costia parasite: 92 F for four days
Ichthyophthirius (ick): 92 F for 10 days
Oodinium (velvet): 93 F for 24 to 36 hours
Some of these parasites may have become more resistant to
these temperatures. However discus do well at 94 F for some
time.
Remember that warmer water carries less oxygen, so be sure to
use extra aeration (surface water turbulence) when using high
heat.
With an increase in temperature, the fish also produce more
antibodies to help fight infections. Higher temperatures also
increase the fish's metabolism and apetite.
Ick does not do well in normal discus temperatures of middle 80
F temperatures, so it is rarely if ever seen in discus tanks.
Bacteria may grow faster at higher temperatures, but at the same
time bacteria may not be at optimum temperatures to live at their
best, therefore, if conditions are kept clean, and proper
medication is used to fight the bacteria, high heat can "at times"
be a benefit when treating bacterial problems. Oftentimes lower
temperatures are used to fight bacterial infections while the
bacteria are reproducing at a slow rate.
When new fish are received some folks like to elevate the
temperatures to 90 F for a week to 10 days to increase the fish's
metabolism, increase apetite, and kill off possible unwanted
parasites. This is used as a preventative measure to try to ensure
healthy fish from the start.
Sources:
Handbook of Fish Diseases by Dieter Untergasser
Cary Strong of Great Lakes Discus