discus with internal flagellates

[m.milliner]

Sounds like this is common to discus...they get listless, don't eat, skin darkens, stringy white feces. Medication generally recommended is metronidazole, however, various articles seem to suggest it's hard to cure.

Problem is, I have two discus with this and the medication just doesn't seem to make any difference. The other fish are happy and energetic, water parameters are good...no apparent problems other than these two fish (which are now isolated).

Beginning to wonder if the diagnosis is wrong, or if there are other meds that might be more effective. Any ideas??

Thanks,
Michael

[Archie]

<em>S. vortens</em> is common in cichlids. As for which nitroimadazole you want to treat with...since you already used metronidazole, you might want to try dimetridazole. although, i don't know how difficult it would be to get. <img border="0" src="smileys/smiley22.gif" border="0">

[m.milliner]

Thanks Archie!! Your comments got me going on some further research...found a great site dealing with S. vortens.

Might be I wasn't using enough metronidazole and not often enough. I read that 250mg/10g/8hours with 25% daily water changes for at least three days is the ticket...maybe 5 or 6 days to assist the healing process. So...giving it another try here.

Appreciate it!
Michael

[Archie]

Glad I could help, but S. vortens was only a suggestion, I would hate for you to try to treat the wrong parasite. If I remember correctly, S. vortens is especially nasty b/c they've found it in fish native to Florida and in native fish of Norway...very tolerant of temperature variations. PM me with your results- I am interested to know how this turns out for you. I hope for the best!