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Velvet:
Velvet is one of the more common diseases in aquarium fish, and can strike down every inhabitant in the tank before the hapless owner realizes what he or she is dealing with. Also known as Rust or Gold Dust disease, it is caused by one of several species of a tiny parasite known as Oödinium. Velvet is found in both fresh and saltwater tanks. All three species of velvet have symptoms and lifecycles similar to Ich.
Oödinium finds a fish and latches onto it; it then forms a rod which penetrates the skin and soft tissues of the gills. The Oödinium releases a chemical which destroys the cells; it then feed on the nutrients inside. After feeding and maturing, the parasite drops off the fish and divides into dozens of cells that are released into the water to seek hosts. They must find a host within 24 hours, or die. Oödinium produces white pustules on the fish that are much finer than the spots seen in Ich. In fact they are so fine they are often not seen before the fish perishes. Velvet attacks all fish and will even affect fry that are only a few days old. Anabantoids, danios, goldfish, zebrafish, and killifish are particularly susceptible to velvet disease. In initial stages the fish rub against hard objects trying to dislodge the parasites. As the disease progresses the fish becomes lethargic, fins are held close to the body, appetite is reduced and the fish loses weight. A key symptom is difficult rapid breathing.
Some symptoms of Velvet are:
- Scratchs against hard objects
- Fish is lethargic
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Rapid, labored breathing
- Fins clamped against body
- Fine yellow or rusty colored film on skin
- In advanced stages skin peeks off
Because Velvet is highly contagious and usually far advanced before being diagnosed, it is important to take the following steps and to start treatment as soon as possible.
- Raise water temperature to 82 degrees F
- Dim lights for several days
- Add aquarium salt
- Treat with copper sulphate for ten days
- Discontinue carbon filtration during treatment
- As with any treatment, activated carbon should be removed from the filter, as it will remove the drugs from the water.
Copper sulphate is the treatment of choice. It should be used according to the manufacturers instructions for a full ten days to ensure that the parasite is completely eradicated. Atabrine (Quinacrine hydrochloride) is another medication that can be used to treat Velvet.