From Dip to Bath, External Parasites Beware

Nothing like the adrenaline rush of going to the pet shop and buying another inhabitant for your aquarium. The unfortunate thing is you never know what is accompanying your newest addition either. You never know if your newest purchase is going to be parasite free, or now. A thorough inspection will help somewhat, but with many of the smaller parasites, they often go undetected. To take this one step further, if these parasites are not detected and introduced into your main tank, just imagine the negative scenarios that could unfold! Pretty scary, huh? A dip or bath of your prized possession could be just what the doctor ordered.

Quarantining your new addition before adding it to the main tank comes with many benefits. This feature of quarantining livestock before introducing it to the tank has been done for years. This affords one the ability to carefully inspect the animal for parasites, protozoans, bacteria, worms, necrotic tissue and unwanted hitch hikers that may find their way onto the main tank, wrecking havoc in due time.

A dip or bath can be a saving grace of sorts and should be standard operating procedure for the newly introduced animal or at the very least a thorough and effective treatment for a variety of ailments that may arise. Knowing how to do this and which form of dip/bath to use for your unique situation requires some research but in the end you and your animal will reap the rewards.

Fresh or saltwater dip, iodine, methylene blue, antimicrobial, malachite, oxidizers, formalin and insecticide baths are not uncommon. Each one offers its own set of possible solutions and cure for a particular ailment. Care must be administered when using many of these medications or wonder drugs to ensure that overdose or other detrimental consequences do not occur.

Following the directions for the particular form of medication is pertinent to the animal as well as the chances of success. A few things to be aware of is to never use the shipping water to dip the animal. As for the pH and temperature, try to ensure that those two elements are similar to that of the shipping water only. Nitrites and ammonia should be undetectable and tank water should be used. Temperature should be the same or slightly higher than that found in the shipping bag.

To perform a successful dip you will need a net, couple buckets, medication being used and animal to be dipped. Most medicines will need to be monitored closely due to the toxicity and the "not knowing what will happen" scenario may play out. Methylene blue and freshwater dips are the safest, most effective, least expensive and easiest to provide for your valued animal life.

A few things regarding methylene blue. It is safe, even for scaleless fish and invertebrates, easy to find, inexpensive, it's a good oxygenating dye, helps to reduce the amount of light in the quarantine tank or other suitable alternative and can even help to reduce the effects of cyanide poisoning and elevated nitrites. A wonder drug of sorts to help to ensure that your livestock, new or old, is able to offer you enjoyment and beauty for years to come.

The duration that the animal needs to be dipped or bathed will vary so again read and follow the directions carefully. This combined with actually remaining there while you animal is being dipped to inspect behavioral patterns will ensure the safety of your animal.

Most of these medications should not be used due to the seriousness of the chemicals or the harshness regarding these medications. Unless you feel comfortable and have a good knowledge of the particular medication, or can get help, I would stick to some of the better known forms of treatment that will offer your livestock more good than bad!