Thread: Flukes and Other Parasite Control Practices

So if you keep a live minnow tank at some point you will get Flukes. Skin Flukes and Gill Flukes seem to be the biggest problem especially Gill Flukes as they procreate by laying eggs. Skin Flukes give "Live Birth" so when you treat your minnow impoundment the Skin Flukes will die period. Replacement Gill Flukes on the other hand will hatch within a few days a life cycle like the frustrating Flea. Breaking the life cycle of the Gill Fluke and other aquatic parasites takes a better treatment practice. I have used sparingly

Praziquantel powder which is difficult to mix with water. I use Vodka to breakup and suspend the chemical before pouring into my Tank. This has worked but only to a point as I didn't know about the Gill Flukes laying eggs. I have discovered a better way to keep your Minnow Tank Water parasite free with

Prazi-Cura Liquid.

Prazi-Cura Liquid - 16oz

After watching hours of videos on Koi Care by individuals who have $10's of Thousands of dollars in their tanks & Fish I've learned you must treat your holding water multiple times. Treatments start with a partial water change. Turning off UV filters, as well as other filters listed on the chemical container. Environmental Filter Media will Not be damaged with treatment. Bottom line you must keep your water treated and each time you add fish to your tank you need to treat again as you may be adding fish infected with Gill Flukes on another parasite. Tuffy minnows do not need the water kept as cool as shiners do but the holding tank needs to be in 100% shade, well aeriated, and the circulation pump discharging thru some type of environmental filter media for the beneficial bacteria's to grow on. They consume nitrates & ammonia produced by the bait fish to maintain water holding quality. Shiners are held in a air conditioned room here with a water Chiller in the system if the water gets over 70 degrees. Once the outside water temps drop I drop the holding water temps to match using the chiller. I hope this information is helpful.

I got flukes in a 10 gallon aquarium once. I lost all my fish, plants and threw out the gravel. Started treatments.
I started again with a new aquarium, air lines, under gravel filter, gravel, plants and fish. A lot cheaper than chemicals.