discus gill flukes treatment options

Chat about all things related to Discus, from purchasing to breeding and everything in between. One of the most beautiful species in the hobby
Post Reply
Danca89
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:41 pm

discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by Danca89 »

My discus have been scratching against the driftwood and flashing a lot lately. I'm pretty sure it's gill flukes. Water params are good, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate, pH 6.8. Tank is 75 gallons, temp at 86°F, with sand substrate and a Fluval FX6 filter. Anyone have success with specific treatments? I've heard mixed things about Prazipro and salt.
gold
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:20 pm

Re: discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by gold »

yo, prazipro's legit but gotta dose it right. i did half strength first time, didn't cut it. full dose next round, fish chilled out in like 3 days. tank's 55g, got some tetras in there too, they were fine. just watch the temp, keep it steady at 86°F.
Chili
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2024 12:57 am

Re: discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by Chili »

Praziquantel-based treatments like Prazipro are effective, but you need to ensure proper oxygenation during treatment. Gill flukes can cause respiratory distress, so increase surface agitation. I've used API General Cure with success in my 120-gallon planted tank. Dose as directed, and follow up with a 30% water change after 48 hours.
sillyboy
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:21 pm

Re: discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by sillyboy »

i tried salt once, but my discus freaked out. maybe i added too much? prazipro sounds safer. how often do you guys do water changes during treatment? i usually do 20% weekly but dunno if that's enough.
Purrer
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2024 11:08 pm

Re: discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by Purrer »

salt's sketchy with discus, man. prazipro's the way to go. my tank's 60g, got some cardinals in there too, no probs. just keep the lights low, less stress.
Danca89
Posts: 7
Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2023 2:41 pm

Re: discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by Danca89 »

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try Prazipro at full dose and bump up the water changes to 25% every 3 days during treatment. My tank's got a lot of surface agitation already, so oxygenation should be good.
gold
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:20 pm

Re: discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by gold »

Danca89 wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 4:56 am Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll try Prazipro at full dose and bump up the water changes to 25% every 3 days during treatment. My tank's got a lot of surface agitation already, so oxygenation should be good.
yep, that's the move. just don't mess with the temp too much, keep it steady.
Chili
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Oct 29, 2024 12:57 am

Re: discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by Chili »

If you're using Prazipro, remember it's light-sensitive. Dose after lights out or cover the tank for a few hours. I've found that reduces stress. Also, avoid carbon in your filter during treatment, it'll remove the meds.
sillyboy
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:21 pm

Re: discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by sillyboy »

Chili wrote: Wed Apr 23, 2025 6:53 am If you're using Prazipro, remember it's light-sensitive. Dose after lights out or cover the tank for a few hours. I've found that reduces stress. Also, avoid carbon in your filter during treatment, it'll remove the meds.
oh dang, didn't know about the light thing. good tip. i'll pull the carbon too, thanks.
Purrer
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2024 11:08 pm

Re: discus gill flukes treatment options

Post by Purrer »

yeah, carbon's a no-go with meds. i learned that the hard way. tank's 60g, got some driftwood and java fern, fish were cool after treatment. just keep an eye on 'em, they'll bounce back.
Post Reply