Desperate Measures by Jim Freeston

For a couple of weeks I have been a bit concerned about my quarantine tank. The fish were a bit off colour and not taking food at all. I put this down to a sudden drop in temperature as when I tested the water it was ok apart from a slightly high reading of ammonia. I did a few water changes and then rapidly lost 3/4 fish and when I examined these fish closely it appeared to be some bacterial problem as there was actually flesh falling off these fish. Luckily Paul Stacey (who used to work for Shirley Aquatics and has now formed his own consultancy company) was giving a talk at our section meeting. I had a quiet word before his talk started and the advice he gave me was a bit frightening to say the least! He recommended I use Chloramine T (and the usual dose is 1 gram per 100 gallon) but to give a triple dose. This was 3 grams per 100 gallon and to do this for 3 days. The following morning I managed to get some Chloramine T off one of our members but sadly one of my small Tategoi had already died. However I carried on and did the 3 days dosage. I couldn’t believe my eyes on the 4th day when I started to do a water change, the fish were actually coming up for food. I am now keeping a closer eye on things in the quarantine tank but (a) thank goodness for being a member of a section and (b) many, many thanks to Paul Stacey, as I am sure the other fish would not have survived without his timely help.

Regards

Jim Freeston