Register for free to join our community of investors and share your ideas. You will also get access to streaming quotes, interactive charts, trades, portfolio, live options flow and more tools.
Florida's tropical-fish industry hit hard as guppies freeze to death
The images of Florida's freezes are familiar, sad and earthy. But just past the crop rows here in the state's agricultural core, there swims another sizable industry that has suffered more than any other because of this year's unusually long cold snap — tropical fish. The little guys are dying by the millions.
By DAMIEN CAVE
The New York Times
LAKELAND, Fla. — Frosted oranges, strawberries encased in ice: The images of Florida's freezes are familiar, sad and earthy. But just past the crop rows here in the state's agricultural core, there swims another sizable industry that has suffered more than any other because of this year's unusually long cold snap — tropical fish.
The little guys are dying by the millions.
A severe guppy shortage has already emerged, according to distributors, while fish farmers statewide expect losses of more than 50 percent as African cichlids, marble mollies, danios and other cheerful-looking varieties sink like pebbles to the bottom of freshwater ponds across Florida.
Florida provides about half of the tropical fish sold nationwide (Asia provides most of the rest), and like oranges, the colorful pets sell best in winter.
The fish farmers who serve the $45-million-a-year industry here were already suffering because of the recession and a slow shift away from live hobbies and toward electronics.
"We were hoping for an economic turnaround to pull us up by our bootstraps, and that may happen, but we certainly didn't need 10 days of subnormal temperatures," said David Boozer, executive director of the 120-member Florida Tropical Fish Farms Association. For fish farmers, the subtropical temperatures and high water table made this the only place in America where outdoor tropical fish farming could exist.
The first entrepreneurs got started in the 1930s, mostly around Miami. When land prices there spiked, the farmers moved to the lake-filled area between Tampa and Orlando.
As recently as a few years ago, tropical fish were the No. 1 cargo shipment out of Tampa International Airport, but fish farmers complain that not even the hobbyist who pays $100 for an emperor pleco gives much thought to the producer.
"People know there are pet stores, they know there are fish," said Ray Quillen, the owner of Urban Tropical. "I guess they think they just appear or come from the wild."
Tropical fish begin to have problems when water temperatures dip below 60 degrees. So for most of the past week, as air temperatures collapsed into the 20s, farmers who should have been filling orders scrambled to cover ponds with plastic and to pump in warm water. Then, as the cold continued, they started to move as many fish indoors as they could.
At Quillen's farm, that meant ditching millions of babies to make room for angelfish closer to the size needed for shipping.
One of the best breeders in the world..........
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=59792
Nice thread on 300 gallon tank.
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=70450
You planted tank people try not to drool all over your screen. I never seen anything like this before.......
http://www.barrreport.com/general-plant-topics/2186-barrs-behemoth-giant-plant-tank-10.html
Check out this guys project from start to now.
Lot of work but what a show peice!
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=69109
Some people do water changes differently.........
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5d9_1223408305
You can find Fish Vets in your area with this link. If you don't know how, or not have access to a scope it may be much cheaper taking your fish to one of these then using meds that you are just guessing with going through one after another.
http://www.aquavetmed.info/index.cfm?PID=6
1st PDS National discus Competition entries
http://www.pds.ph/forums/viewtopic.php?p=8726#8726
7th International Discus Championship October 2nd till October 5th 2008
Dear Discus Friends,
Once again International Discus Championship in Duisburg, Germany is about to start.
Our websites www.discusashobby.com and www.dph.nl will keep you informed of what's happening during this Discus event of the year. Thanks to four webcams you can see LIVE at home what's going along at the Landschaftspark in Duisburg in the 6.000 square meters exhibition hall. But that's not all. You can join us actively at one of the chat sessions we will organize during those days. Chat, and ask questions to the most famous Discusbreeders and authors like Bernd Degen, Heiko Bleher, Jorg Stendker, Peter Thode, Dougall Stewart and many, many others.
We will place an awfull lot of pictures online. For a start pictures of all the entries of the championship and a report of all other interesting things like stands of Discussellers, and other shops.
Also you can work interactive with us. We offer you the opportunity to make your vote for your favorite entry. The most selected entry at www.discusashobby.com and www.dph.nl will, like all the other winners, receive the official Championship Internet Award on Sunday October 5th.
And finally we will do interviews with the most famous Discus breeders authors and others which we will record an put them online in our Podcasts which you can download and play on your pc or on your mp3 player.
Of course there's no more fun as visiting the International Discus Championship yourself. You will be at THE International Center of the Discus world looking at the most beautiful Discus from around the world, visiting one of the many, very interesting, lectures and meeting other Discus lovers from around the world, of which most can be found at the www.discusashobby.com and www.dph.nl stand (standnr. 30d), or just walk around and buy for good prices aquarium supplies at one of the many stands at the fair.
During the upcoming weeks our websites will be updated with the latest news and more information about the Championship. You'll also receive regularly this newsletter, during the Championship daily, with all the updates, invitations for chatsessions and all other information we would like to share with you.
Kind regards,
Discus as Hobby (DaH)
Go to post 182 and check out the tank and fish. WOW!
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?p=470617#post470617
Want to build yourself a tank? Get busy! LOL!
http://www.freshwaterstingray.nl/Frames%20Engels/English.html
Check out these pictures of baby discus. Unreal photography!
http://forum.bidka.org/showthread.php?t=4564
Enhance your blue fish......... My notes from different sources.....
The addition of high quality pure spirulina powder will enhance blue pigments
blue-green algae and Spirulina algae
http://www.spirulinasource.com/movies.html
Pigments are characterized by their colors. Carotenoid pigments are red and orange. Xanthophylls are yellow. Melanin pigments are black and brown. Phycocyanin is the blue pigment derived from blue-green algae. Cells containing yellow pigments overlying those containing blue pigments can produce green hues. Fish are capable of producing some pigments, but others must be supplied in the diet. Black and brown pigments are produced in cells called melanocytes. Fish are incapable of producing carotenoid and xanthophyll pigments. Therefore, these must be supplied in the diet.
Rolled oats ground up. They are rich in amino acids that will enhance blue tones.
For you planted tank people check this out!
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php
Check out this website....
http://www.aquacouture.net/specials.htm
Would love to have one some day. I'd love to design them.
Free DVD - Midnight Clear!
http://www.atthegateministries.org/freedvd.html
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it
Those are beyond lovely. WOW!
Check out these beautiful tanks!
http://spacearium.net/
Go to the gallery.
Then go to description and check out the water system.
Keeping California Black Worms
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=62953
Hello everyone,
I am a new member here and would like to share how to keep CBW with everyone. I have been doing this for years with great success.
First off, everytime you buy your CBW from the LFS, they always tell you to put it in the fridge. And sure enough, everyday that you open it, it really stinks because many of them have died. At this point,you proceed to wash them under the faucet, thus killing more of them because of chlorine. Therefore, your worms almost always stink when you take them out. Also, at those temperatures, they cannot reproduce by dividing. you need room temperature.
Here is how I keep mine and successfully have them actually divide and multiply. (not by a ton, but from what I can see, probably 2x in a months time.
I use a 12" long, 6" wide, and 6" deep tuperware container with a lid. I put in 3 strips of BROWN (must be BROWN) paperbag (1"X3")
I put in 5 ounces of CBW along with bottled spring water, or R/O water. At one end of the container, I drill a hole small enough, near the top, to put in an airhose, then i attach a small airstone to it. I then connect an airpump to the hose and control the airflow for light airation. Then, the whole box goes inside the cabinet under the fish tank. ( make sure you try to remove any dead worms at the start using toothpick or plastic fork)
Every 3 days, i open the lid and take out what ever amount of worms I need for feeding, drop in 2 small pcs of tetra bits, close the lid, and put them back. they seem to really thrive.
I might change the water about every 2 months, or whenever it starts to stink, which is almost never.
I do not take credit for this, i learned it somewhere on the net a few years back, and just varied it a bit. The original article suggested no feeding and the worms would just eat the decaying paper. That worked well also, except it became very messy when the paper decayed and was all over the place. it was very hard to separate the worms and the paper.
Well, good luck everyone.
thanx,
Ted
Levamisole Hydrochloride
by Shari Sanford — last modified Apr 19, 2007 08:57 PM
Its application and usage in freshwater aquariums.
What is Levamisole Hydrochloride?
Levamisole Hydrochloride (Levamisole HCL), is an anthelmintic (anti-worm) agent commonly used in large livestock such as cattle, pigs and sheep. In 1971 it was found to have immunostimulatory properties and investigation into its use in humans began to expand. Currently, Levamisole HCL is used in humans for diseases related to imbalances in the regulation of immune responses or deficiencies of the immune system, including autoimmune diseases, chronic and recurrent diseases, chronic infections and cancer. It has beneficial effects on host defense mechanisms and restores depressed immune responses in animals and humans. Another interesting use of levamisole in humans is as a treatment for common warts (verruca vulgaris).
News of its anthelmintic efficacy and immune system benefits has been known among aquatic hobbyists for years. The problem however, is that there is not much in the way of definitive information on its use and application in the hobby. Anecdotal accounts of how it has worked for those ‘outside the box’ aquarists who first braved its use with fish, and accounts of personal experience with Levamisole in individual aquariums are helpful, but the ‘your mileage may vary’ factor is immense. Word about its usefulness in treating internal parasites in the ornamental fish trade has spread, but information regarding its use is limited and sometimes conflicting. From the information I have found thus far, Levamisole HCL is safe to use in aquaria and effective against many internal parasites, especially nematodes, when used in appropriate dosages. It does not harm the bio-filter, plants, invertebrates or uninfected fish. As an added benefit, it boosts the immune competence of fish, humans, large animals, birds and some reptiles.
This article hopes to pull together what scientific information is available, a bunch of individual accounts, apply some common sense, and put together in one place a helpful guide to the use of Levamisole for treating aquarium fish.
Why would anyone use a cattle/pig/sheep de-wormer in a fish tank?
Do you want to know why?
Internal parasites that can be treated effectively by levamisole are endemic. They are everywhere. Fish are also susceptible to these parasites. Since the parasites are what we are attempting to eliminate from our fish, we need a medication that is designed to affect those parasites.
Does the medication need to be labeled for 'fish only' use? Not if you know what the medication is composed of, whether it contains any chemicals or additives that would be harmful to fish, if it will work in water, how it works, and what the possible side effects may be. Many medicines that are used in 'fish only' preparations are also used in humans and animals.
Medications like:
Neomycin
Kanamycin
Erythromycin
Magnesium Sulfate
-- to name only a few
AND...Levamisole Hydrochloride
In fact, manufacturers of fish specific medications are beginning to package their products in loose powdered or liquid form. Want to see why? See THIS page from the Aquascience Research Group which also contains a helpful table on aquarium drug dosages.
The single most important factor once you've decided that a non-fish specific medication is safe to use in aquaria is determining the correct dosage. We'll look into that factor later. For now, let's look at its chemical composition and how it works.
Levamisole Hydrochloride Chemical Composition
Molecular Formula: C11H12N2S•HCl
To see a beautiful, animated 3D model (warning--long download!) of the molecule or get information on other chemicals, visit ChemExper.comMolecular Weight: 240.75062
Mass of C11H12N2S: 204.28968
Mass of HCl: 36.46094
Specific gravity: .69724
Levamisole Hydrochloride is the LEVO-rotatory form (left-handed) of tetramisol. The DEXTRO isomer (right-handed) contributes to the toxicity, but not the therapeutic effect so it has been removed in marketed preparations.
Levamisole HCL is light sensitive. Store product in tightly closed light resistant containers. Leave off tank lights when treating.
There is also a phosphate form of Levamisole.
How does Levamisole HCL work?
How does Levamisole HCL work as an antiparasitic agent?
Levamisole HCL is absorbed through the gut, can also be absorbed through the skin and is distributed throughout the body. Levamisole affects the neurotransmitters and paralyzes the worm (spastic paralysis). The fish then passes the inactive worms. Good gravel vacuuming is advised after treatment to remove the paralyzed (but still live) worms. It is not ovicidal, which means it will not affect eggs already present, but it will affect the larval stage of the worm. To ensure complete eradication of the parasite treat again after remaining eggs have hatched.
How does Levamisole HCL work as an immunomodulator?
The mechanism of action for its immunostimulating effects are not well understood. It is believed that it restores cell-mediated immune function in peripheral T-lymphocytes and stimulates phagocytosis by monocytes. The drug appears to restore depressed immune function rather than to stimulate response to above-normal levels. There are multitudes of medical studies being done with its use in humans and animals, the goal being to attain understanding of its immunomodulating mechanism. The mechanism will be defined, with time. However, at the time of the writing of this article, there is no complete answer to this question. For us, it is enough to know that it does stimulate immune function in fish that are suffering due to parasites or disease.
What if I overdose my fish?
The LD-50 (the lethal dose of a compound for 50% of animals exposed) of levamisole is 250 mg/l per 24 hours. This level of dosage is much higher than that which is prescribed for use in a freshwater bath (the method used in our fish tanks). Only extreme overdosing with this medication will result in death to your fish. Few accounts of adverse side effects in aquaria have been noted even with much higher than currently accepted appropriate dosing.
How long will it stay in my fish and how do I get it out of my tank?
Levamisole HCL is rapidly absorbed into the digestive system. Less than 6% of the medication is excreted unchanged in the urine and feces. Half-lives for several species have been recorded:
Cattle: 4 - 6 hours
Swine: 3.5 - 6.8 hours
Dogs: 1.8 - 4 hours
I have not been able to locate any studies that determine the half-life of Levamisole HCL in fish. If you know of any, please post a comment to this article.
Absorption is systemic within 3 - 4 hours. Within three days 70% of the medication will be gone from the fish via its excretory system. The vast majority of the compound will have been metabolized by your fish. The remainder can be removed by water changes and/or adding activated charcoal to your filtration system.
De-bunking a common misunderstanding about Levamisole HCL.
Does Levamisole HCL require a pH of below 7.0 to be effective?
In a word, NO.
This common misconception regarding the uselessness of Levamisole HCL in higher pH water needed a definitive answer.
Let's apply some common sense. When we look around at the other uses of Levamisole HCL we find that one common formulation of Levamisole HCL is administered by adding it to livestock drinking water. Are all water supplies the same? It seemed unlikely to me that among all the farms using this medication, every water supply would have a pH below 7.0.
After some digging around all over the Internet and phone calls to various Veterinarians and chemical companies the answer I was given by Dr. Hal Sinclair of IVX Animal Health was both clear and simple. Levamisole base (C11H12N2S) is unstable in water and will degrade rapidly as pH levels increase. Levamisole HCL will not. It's the addition of the hydrochloride molecule that makes the difference.
Levamisole HCL is stable in water for up to 90 days, and will do its job in aquaria with with both low and high pH values.
Taking the space to go through all this chemistry may be more than you want to know. However, chemistry plays a large role in fishkeeping. It helps to be somewhat comfortable with the basics to comprehend the Nitrogen cycle, and to balance the aquatic environments in which our fish live. Planted tank gurus especially, spend time understanding the chemistry of their tanks for both fish and plant benefit.
Chemistry has already helped us to answer the pH question which has been plaguing the community for years. We will need it again in order to determine effective dosing of Levamisole HCL to cure our fish. Knowing the chemical formula, the molecular weight, and the specific gravity of the molecule will give us the information we need to make some calculations that will help us to do just that.
Which parasites will respond to treatment with Levamisole?
Levamisole has been found highly effective in the treatment of mature and developing immature stages of major stomach and bowel worm species in cattle and sheep including gastro-intestinal worms such as: Stomach worms--Haemonchus spp; Ostertagia spp; Trichostrongylus spp; Roundworms-- Nematodirus spp (which include threadworms); Cooperia spp; Nodular worms--Oesophagostomum; Chabertia spp; Hookworms--Bunostomum spp; Necator spp; and Ancylostoma spp; and Lungworms-- Dictyocaulus spp. Nematodes (roundworms) in particular are a common problem. Nematodes such as Capillaria, Eustronggylides, Camallanus, and Contracaecum are common among many fish species. Levamisole is highly effective as a treatment against nematode species.
It is INEFFECTIVE as a treatment for:
For excellent information on parasites of freshwater fish see the very informative articles posted at the University of Florida IFAS Extension: Introduction to Freshwater Fish ParasitesCestodes (tapeworms)
For Cestodes the recommended treatment is Praziquantel.
Trematodes (flatworms or flukes)
For Monogenean Trematodes with a direct life cycle the suggested treatment is Formalin, administered as a short-term or prolonged bath.
For Digenean Trematodes which have a complex life cycle, using differing hosts, the best control is to break the life cycle of the parasite. Elimination of the first intermediate host, the freshwater snail is often recommended.
How can I tell which parasite is affecting my fish?
The best way to determine if your fish is suffering from parasites, and which kind they are is to have the fish examined by a fish health specialist (veterinarian). Accurate diagnosis of an internal parasite infestation in aquatic animals is often outside of the ability of the average hobbyist. Stool samples, slides, microscopes and sometimes necroscopy or in the worst case scenario, autopsy, are the most effective way to determine exactly what parasite is inside your fish. Many of us are just not equipped or knowledgeable enough to perform the necessary diagnostic procedures. What we can do is observe our fish, become aware of what symptoms may indicate parasitic infection, and learn what methods are best used to treat them.
Levamisole HCL is not a cure-all but it is a good first line of defense against many parasites common to wild caught fish.
Nematode infections in fish will present with one or more of the following externally observable symptoms:
To learn more about Nematodes read the article by Dr. Roy Yanong, Nematode (Roundworm) Infections in Fish.
Hemorrhaging (bloody streaks in fins or body)
White/translucent stringy feces
Inflammation
External lumps or nodules
Necrosis (dead or dying tissue)
Cysts
Granulomas - which are a reaction by immune cells trying to wall off some foreign body (like a worm). They can look like little brown rocks in the shape of the worm but will have a distinct clear edge.
Wasting
Bloated abdomen with fish exhibiting otherwise normal behavior
Worms protruding from the anus (specifically Camallanus)
A little bit about parasites in general and nematodes in particular.
Healthy fish can carry a low load of parasites without ever showing outwardly visible signs. Fish that are stressed or sick are immune compromised and will find it difficult to keep down parasitic infections. Fish carrying a heavy parasite load also become more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. Because parasites are everywhere, wild caught fish can be assumed to be harboring parasites whether they appear healthy or not. Quarantine tank treatment with Levamisole HCL prior to placing new wild caught fish into an established community tank, is advised. This will both eliminate parasites (those affected by Levamisole HCL) and boost the immune system of your fish, helping them keep at bay any secondary infections as a result of parasitic damage.
The severity of damage caused by parasitic infection depends on a number of factors. Number of worms present in the fish, age and species of the fish and the sites of infection all affect the level of damage caused by the parasite. Most adult nematodes are found in the digestive tract. However, adult and other life stages of worms can be found in muscle tissue, organs, and tissues surrounding the organs. Levamisole HCLworks primarily in the digestive tract so parasites located in organs or tissues may be unaffected by treatment.
Nematodes have two major categories of life stages, direct and indirect. As indirect hosts, fish can be either the final host, excreting eggs that begin the life cycle all over again, or the intermediate host as shown below:
Indirect Life Cycle with fish as intermediate host
In this case the fish is infected with the parasite, then eaten by another fish, bird or mammal where the parasites will develop into reproductive adults.
Credits: Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory; University of Florida
Indirect Life Cycle with fish as final host
The nematode eggs/larvae enter an intermediate host before being eaten by fish which are the final host. The eggs develop into reproductive adults within the fish. Some intermediate hosts are snails, Tubifex worms or insect larvae.
Credits: Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory; University of Florida
Direct Life Cycle
Nematodes with a direct life cycle do not need an intermediate host. One fish can spread the infection directly to another by eating either eggs or larvae.
Credits: Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory; University of Florida
Because Levamisole HCL is not harmful to the bio-filter, fish, plants, or invertebrates you can safely treat the within the community tank. In fact, it is best to do so to eliminate possible parasites in any intermediate hosts that may be in the tank. Fish that are suffering from secondary bacterial infections due to parasitic worm damage should be removed to a quarantine tank for appropriate antibiotic treatment.
How do I use Levamisole Hydrochloride?
Before using Levamisole HCL it is wise to read the Material Data Safety Sheet (MDSS) which describes prudent precautions regarding its use. The MDSS linked here is one from ScienceLab.com. If you are using a different product, Google the product manufacturer name+product name+MDSS to find the one specific to your medication. Most will be very similar, depending on the formulation you are using.
Some resistance to Levamisole HCL action has been noted in farm animals. Be sure to complete the full course of treatment to avoid development of resistant strains in fish. Because it is light sensitive, store any unused medication in opaque containers. Remove any carbon used in your filtration as it will absorb the chemical. Turn off UV lighting.
Levamisole HCL is available in several formulations. Below are some manufacturer packaging examples. There are many.
Soluble Powder:
Bolus: Injectable Levamisole phosphate 13.5% is equivalent to 136.5 mg of Levamisole Hydrochloride. Dosing is as follows: Levamisole (13.65% injectable) - 2 ppm (1.1 ml per 20 gallons).
This is the formulation I use in my tanks.
I find it easiest to use and most convenient
to store in the small dosages needed for
aquarium treatments. Divide the powder
into the amount you need for treatment.
Pack the unused portions in baggies in single
or multiple dose sizes within the bottle with the
tank size it's intended to treat noted. Keep
at room temperature (with directions for use)
until needed. Shelf life for the powder is one or
two years, depending on which manufacturer
you consult.
Store unused liquid solution for up to 90 days
in the refrigerator.
Examples of the bolus variety and the injectable are on the right.
The bolus form is messy. It requires crushing the pill, determining the amount of powder needed, dissolving in tank water, filtering through a coffee filter then adding the liquid to the tank.
The only injectable form of levamisole I have been able to locate is the phosphate form. If you locate one, please comment here with the link to the supplier. Store below 70F (21C) and avoid freezing. The label says to use it 'as soon as possible after the original seal is broken.' This would lead me to believe that the shelf life is not very long.
There are other forms out there, such as Levamisole HCL drench, oral solutions, oral feed mixes, topical solutions and gel formulas. Check the formulation composition for additional medicines, additives or agents before using in your fish tank. Some forms are unsuitable for use with fish due to other ingredients.
I find the powdered soluble formula the most cost effective and best for storage, dosing and use.
What form you may choose will be dependent upon your location and availability. In the UK, for instance, Levamisole HCL is only available through a veterinarian. Check with your local regulations before ordering from suppliers outside your country.
Where Can I Get Levamisole HCL?
Levamisole HCL is sold under various names by different companies. Be sure to carefully investigate the product to insure its safety for use in aquatic animals.
Levasole
soluble pig wormer, mix with water
Prohibit
powdered drench, mix with water
Tramisol
sheep bolus -US
Ripercol
soluble powder for sheep - Australia
Ripercol Vet or Levaject Vet. in Denmark
Levam-30
oral powder - India
Levacide
UK injectable
Avitrol Plus
liquid bird worming syrup, also contains Praziquantel - add to food, or to tank
There are many others but this is a representative listing. To locate other products, please take advantage of Google or Yahoo search engines online.
Recommended Dosage
Dr. Roy Yanong, V.M.D. recommends the following for treating fish with internal parasites susceptible to Levamisole HCL:
In answer to your question, the dosage rate for levamisole in a bath is 2 mg/L (2 ppm) for 24 hours (followed by 70-100% water change, and siphon the bottoms of the tanks), with repeat treatments necessary--retreat in 2-3 weeks, and probably one more time after that. This is regardless of size of fish.
The 2 mg/L dosage rate (of the active ingredient Levamisole) is currently (2007) the level being used by the scientific community. It effectively paralyzes levamisole susceptible parasites at that concentration. Increasing the dosage level does not seem to have any greater effect. Paralysis of the worms takes place when that level of Levamisole HCL is present in the host--your fish. Dr. Yanong recommends that whenever possible, try to diagnose what parasite your fish are harboring prior to treatment. Work with an 'exotic pet' veterinarian, or a fish health specialist to insure you are treating with the right medication.
Dosage Calculation
Some helpful conversions:
For 100% Levamisole Hydrochloride in powder form (Levasole, Soluble Pig wormer)
1 teaspoon = 4 grams
.5 teaspoon = 2 grams
.25 teaspoon = 1 gram
1 US Gallon = 3.78 Liters
Here is where our chemistry comes in.
The molecular formula for Levamisole is C11H12N2S
The molecular formula for Levamisole HCL is C11H12N2S•HCl
Because we know the formula we can figure out the Grams/mole off the periodic table which is:
~204.32g/mole (rounded to hundreds) for levamisole
~240.78g/mole for Levamisole HCL because of the HCL (hydrochloride) attachment.
The active anthelmintic ingredient is the Levamisole, not the Hydrochloride, so to attain a 2ppm concentration of Levamisole using Levamisole HCL we will need more Levamisole HCL because of the size (weight) of the molecule. For example, if we know we need 50mg (at 2mg/L this will treat a 25L sized tank, or about 6 gallons) of Levamisole but we are using Levamisole HCL, to acheive the same concentration of the Levamisole base we need to do some conversion which works like this:
For those of us with underdeveloped math skills, chefkeith has come to the rescue. He has created a Dosage Calculator for powdered Levamisole HCL!
To calculate how much Levamisole HCL powder you need simply type in the size of your tank in either liters or gallons and the measurement in teaspoons will be provided.
If you have a large volume of water to treat use the stock solution calculator which works like this:
Decide the size of the container you wish to use to create enough solution to treat all your tanks. Fill with declorinated water. Enter the size of the container in ml in the "amount of stock solution" field.
Now you enter the dosage size you want. If you want 1/2 cup of this solution to treat 20 gallons of water, then enter 4oz in the "dosage size", then 20 gallons in the "amount of water to treat".
The calculator then spits out that you need .64 teaspoons of Levamisole HCL to be added to that 2 liter bottle.
You can adjust the Levamisole ppm however you want it, but the default setting is at 2ppm.
He also includes a helpful link at the bottom for locating Levamisole HCL powder.
50mg=.05g
then divide that by 204.32 (weight in grams of Levamisole)
to get moles which is 2.447.
Then because its 1:1 (1 mole levamisole each (basically)) you take
2.447 times 240.78 (so you get correct weight for added HCL)
and you get .0589g which is ~59mg.
Thus 59 mg of Levamisole HCl is equivalent to 50 mg of levamisole base.
So:
2ppm = 2 mg/L Levamisole base
which converts to:
2.36 mg/L Levamisole HCL or
~9 mg/Gallon or 90 mg/10 gallons
How do you know how many milligrams of Levamisole you need? More calculating:
We need 2.36 mg/L (or 9 mg/Gallon) of Levamisole HCL to treat our tank at the recommended dosage.
If we measure our tanks in Liters:
2.36 x (the size of your tank in liters) = mg/L of Levamisole HCL to treat your tank.
If we measure our tanks in gallons:
10 gallons = ~38 Liters
For a 10g tank that means:
2.36 x 38 = 89.68 mg or ~90mg of Levamisole HCL will treat 10 gallons with a 2 ppm concentration.
Going by chefkeith's calculator a very small amount of levamisole powder is needed to treat a 10g tank (.076 grams, or .019 teaspoons). Now I don't know about you, but I don't own measuring devices that will enable me to accurately measure that tiny amount. Since overdosing Levamisole HCL (even massively so!) has been common practice for a long time, I generally eyeball my powder measurements into usable sizes. Since a quarter teaspoon is about 1 gram, and we need roughly one tenth of that amount for a 10g qtank treatment I do the following:
Measure a level 1/4 teaspoon onto a smooth surface.
Take a razor blade and divide that quarter teaspoon into 10 relatively even piles. Each tiny pile is one treatment for 10 gallons.
Store each tiny pile in tiny plastic baggies (or tin foil) with a '10g' label in an opaque container.
Not very scientific, I know. But it does get me close, and I am confident enough in the safety of the medication that I have no fear for my fish. In fact, prior to this article, I had previously treated fish with Levamisole concentrations as high as 800 mg/10 gallons and saw no negative effects.
*For those who cannot access Levamisole HCL, Flubendazole has been used as an effective alternative for cammallanus and other nematode infections. I've read it will kill snails, so if you have a thriving snail population that would be a problem.
Summary
Levamisole HCL is a safe and effective anthelmintic for use in aquariums. It does not harm the biofilter, plants or invertebrates (including shrimp) in your tank and has the added benefit of stimulating the immune system of the tank inhabitants. I highly recommend its inclusion in any fishkeeper's arsenal of medications. For those of us who purchase wild-caught fish, it is something that should be part of our quarantine tank treatments for newly purchased fish.
Hobbyists have been using it for years now and there are few reports of negative effects on fish. At higher dosages than recommended there have been some reports of cloudy water at initial treatment, and a very few reports of rapid respiration or stress related behavior in fish. One reported result of treatment stated yellow water, clamped fins and heavy breathing in cichlids, as well as explosive plant growth. After a couple of days, the negative effects on the cichlids seemed to disappear so he continued the treatment regime.
Dosing levels prior to this information were all over the charts. Without exception the dosages used were higher. Some were much higher. Recommendations ranged from 1-2 mg/l up to as much as 21 mg/l. Based on the research for this article it's my hope that hobbyists will face less confusion regarding the use of Levamisole HCL in aquaria.
Below is the treatment protocol I have used for treating parasites with Levamisole HCL. It is somewhat more intensive than the treatment recommended by Dr. Yanong, but it works for me. Your mileage may vary, but here it is:
Determine the appropriate dosage for your tank.
Treat with the lights off and increased aeration.
Perform a largish water change prior to treatment.
Treat once for 24 hours.
Do a largish water change and vacuum to remove any paralyzed worms in the substrate.
Return tank to normal lighting/feeding/cleaning cycle.
Treat again in 5-7 days after a water change. If you know the parasite you are treating and its life cycle adjust the timing for the second treatment accordingly.
Do another water change with gravel vacuum.
Return to normal schedule.
Treat a third time after 1 - 2 weeks. (This may be overkill, but due to the lack of negative side effects, and because I have had a previously treated clown loach relapse after over a month, I now do a third treatment.)
Do another good vacuuming with water change and consider your treatment complete.
Usually, I see a marked improvement in vitality and appetite after the first treatment. Don't let this convince you that the fish is cured! Complete a full course of treatment. In commercial fish enterprises and in livestock there have been reports of various parasites developing resistance to Levamisole treatment.
Acknowledgments
I'd like to offer my thanks to many on the Loaches On Line forums for their input during the search for information on this article.
Special thanks go to sully, chefkeith, Desi, LES.., andyroo, and especially Dr. Gabriella Kadar, DDS (Dr. Momfish) who first introduced the use of Levamisole on the Loach Forum (and elsewhere) back in the late 1990's.
To MilitantPotato and jones57742 from PlecoFanatics:
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Without your mathematical and chemical expertise I could not have finished this article.
Sources
See the Bibliography.
This is not arranged in any particular order, but does contain the primary sources I accessed during the writing process. My apologies for the lack of standardized formating.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is accurate to the best of my knowledge. Some of the information is based on hobbyist experience. I am not responsible for the results of treatment by individuals following the advice given in this article. Please do your own investigating prior to using medications to ensure that you will not harm your fish.
Just brought this HOME! SCORED! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
6ft fish tank - $50
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: sale-590447843@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-02-28, 5:20PM PST
holds water 360-862-1735
Location: monroe
Check out this Champion. Oh man that look nice in my tank!
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=61533
Thanks Mitch! Right back at YA!
Heading to Mom's in about 30 minutes. Yum YUM!
You may have to registar to see pictures but well worth it!
http://www.discus.com.my/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=531&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=f840f75a8dcca9cfd21a63cd4de96e3f
Nice thread on this guys wild fish.
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=60079
Check out Wayne NG's new farm! Amazing fish and set up!
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=59792
Excellent article from a well known Breeder and Author in the Discus Hobby......
http://forum.bidka.org/showthread.php?p=21609&posted=1#post21609
Once you have them put some pictures up. Thanks!
Thanks excel,
I'm real interested in seeing these great fish swimming around in my care again.............they are tough to keep.........
but are well worth it,
Fletch
Hi Fletch. Not sure if these people will have what you want.
Tell them Greg R. sent you.
Here is some leads for you............
Email Larry at apistomaster@clearwire.net
He doesn't have a website but sells some.
BTW. He also has some golden bushynose that will keep your tank clean. I have bought from him before.
http://www.internationaldiscus.com/
http://www.aagreencountrydiscus.com/index.html
http://www.geocities.com/kc_discus/
He needs to update his website.
Call him tell him what you want.
http://fishfarm.home.mindspring.com/
This guy is on vacation. But in a month or two be back selling good stock.
http://www.gulfcoastdiscus.com/
OK excel,
Lets say I want to get back into discus........buy a few little ones......from a few of the best.......to stock a couple hundred gallons with 20-30 young.........
Who would you buy from?
Thanks,
Fletch
PS I do like ones with good blue-green color against a darker redish brown background, like bottom Left :>)
I'll feed them beef heart.....mosquito larva....white worms.....shrimp...foreheads will get fat....like days of old
Check these out. Oh my!
http://www.mondodiscus.com/discus/it...-wayne-ng.html
No idea but yes that is top of the line. Very nice indeed!
stunning! I can't begin to imagine the time/effort/$$$'s that went into a sweet setup like that. wonder what kind of filtration he uses...canister? freshwater reef?
How to Use Potassium Permanganate by Carol Roberts
http://www.discusnada.org/
You can’t find potassium permanganate (PP) on the shelves of
your local fish store or online fish catalog. This purple crystal,
which is used by discus hobbyists to kill bacteria, external
pests, like gill flukes and reduce the bio-load in fish tanks can
be found at stores that sell home water softener equipment. I
purchased mine at Sears.
Potassium Permanganate and its antidote Hydrogen
Peroxide
Most hobbyists’ only need a small amount of potassium permanganate
like the 6 oz. Bottle pictured above. Hydrogen Peroxide
(HP) should always be kept on hand when using PP. It is
an antidote and can be added to the tank if the fish are in distress
from the PP treatment. I add it to the tank to neutralize
the PP at the end of the 4-hour treatment. Hydrogen peroxide
can be found in grocery and drug stores everywhere.
To make the stock solution pictured above I used a clean pint bottle filled with tap water and added 1/8 teaspoon of the
potassium permanganate crystals. This solution can be stored in a cool dark cupboard for several months.
Four Hour Tank Treatment.
I leave the empty filter running on the tank and cycle the PP
through it. This cleans the filter housing and aerates the tank
during treatment. Wipe down walls and floor of tank. Wipe off
the heater, cords, airline tubing and any decorations in the tank.
Add 4 ml of the stock solution per gallon of aquarium water.
Another way to measure is 5 tablespoons per TEN gallons of
aquarium water. You want the water to turn a rich purple color
and keep that color for the full four hours. If the water turns
rusty, tan or orangey the PP has stopped working.
At the end of four hours I add 3% Hydrogen Peroxide one capful at a time until the water turns clear. Wait a couple of
minutes for the hydrogen peroxide to work before adding more. A more accurate way to measure is to add 5 ml per 20
gallons of tank water. Then I do a 50% water change vacuuming the bottom thoroughly. Don’t forget to rinse the filter
media in de-chlorinated water before returning it to the filter. Treatment can be repeated in one week if needed.
This is worth the time to load if you have dial up.
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=58151
Most defunetly. I want to show some some day. Working on getting there.
Nice looking fish.
Aquarama 2007 Prize Winners!
http://www.discusclubsg.com/yabbse/index.php?board=2;action=display;threadid=3022;start=0
What next? LOL!
http://www.erdingtonaquatics.com/aquatronic.html
Tbnfl4sun. Welcome! To a lot of us just watching our fish is like very cheap therapy. LOL!
Glad you found some links you like. Compared to local fish stores even with shipping costs you should still be able to save yourself a bundle of $$$. Plus the selection is much greater.
If there is a certain type of fish in your tank you really like do a google search on it. More than likely you'll find a forum related to it. Really amazing how much info is out there. The net changed it for the better. You might be surprised to find a local breeder near you.
If you can put up some pictures when you get a chance!
Hi i just stumbled across the baord got my first 55 gal tank.I cant believe how soothing it can be to stare at a fish tank. lol But just wanted to thank you for all the links to cool places for fish stuff.
True. LOL!
Then I get to the airport to find out they over nite them in Sacramento. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!
So I'm back on the way to the airport. Unbelievable.
Says live fish on the box.
They don't care. $300.00 of fish sitting in a cold warehouse.
U sickoooooooooo lol
10:15 at night and I'm headed to Seatac airport to pick up fish. LOL!
This addiction is baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad! LOL!
The KING of the Aquarium........
[chart]i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb238/excel11/036-1.jpg[/chart]
Simply Discus Recources........
http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/links.shtml
Water education links...........
http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-chem.html
http://www.simplydiscus.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34884&highlight=drop
Medications and treatments.........
http://www.nationalfishpharm.com/products.html
Disease pictures........
http://203.116.88.76/content/phase1/Customer_Svc/disease/fishDoctor_Other.html
Water Storage Barrels
http://www.tank-depot.com/
http://www.plastic-mart.com/
http://www.norwesco.com/Index.cfm?Section=LST
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/category.asp?catalog%5Fname=USPlastic&category%5Fname=25&Pa....
Supplies........
http://www.bigalsonline.com/
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Shop.cfm?N=2004
http://www.jehmco.com/index.html
http://www.thatpetplace.com/MainPro/IndexFish.aspx
http://www.4fishstuff.com/
http://www.marinedepot.com/homepage.asp
http://www.kensfish.com/
http://www.pythonproducts.com/
http://www.aquaticeco.com/
Breeding Cones
http://www.rosenthalpottery.com/
Tank Racks
http://www.gorillarack.com/
http://www.buyrack.com/fastrak_6footH.asp
Tank Size Calculators............
http://www.garf.org/calculators/TankVolumeCalculator.asp
http://www.fishaholics.org/phpBB2/tank_calc.php?sid=78cfeba4af8a71ea187a5ecb9835f9d4
This one includes measurement for dosing meds. Very cool!
http://home.earthlink.net/~grenier2/convert.htm
Pump distance, etc...............
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php
Food sources.........
http://www.livefoodcultures.com/
http://brineshrimpdirect.com/index.html
http://www.kensfish.com/index.html
http://www.inve.com/fish/index.asp?id=152
http://kazarie.com/index.html
http://www.aquatichouse.com/Fish%20Food_files/Omega%20Flake.asp
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_fish_food_ocean_nutrition_dry_subindex.asp?ast=&key=
http://www.mreed.com/index.shtml
http://www.sfbb.com/home.asp
http://aquaticfoods.com/
Beef Heart Recipes
http://article.dphnet.com/cat-01/beefheart1.shtml
http://www.discushatchery.com/food.html
http://www.rockymountaindiscus.com/Discus_fish_food_recipe.htm
Shipping your fish......
http://www.atchison.com/ArticlesandStories/Shippingfish.html
http://www.uniquaria.com/articles/shipping.html
Make your own sponge filter.........
http://www.simplydiscus.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40648
Plant info in general........
http://www.aquatic-gardeners.org/
http://www.thekrib.com/
http://www.vectrapoint.com/main/infocentral.html
http://www.plantella.com/
Plant Suppliers...........
http://www.floridadriftwood.com/driftwood.html
http://www.azgardens.com/
http://aquariumplant.com/cgi-bin/cart/index.html
http://192.38.244.204/go.asp?show=products
http://www.trueaquariumplants.com/
Volume | |
Day Range: | |
Bid Price | |
Ask Price | |
Last Trade Time: |