| Rid-Ich®
Controls Diseases Caused by Ichthyophthiriasis
("Ich")
Item No. 37611, 1 fl oz; Item No. 37644, 4 fl oz; Item No. 37656, 16 fl
oz; Item No. 47661, 1 gallon
KPD-38
Purposes and Benefits
Kordon's Rid·Ich+ is a combination of two powerful medications which
have proven effective in the control of many diseases of freshwater fishes
caused by external protozoan (single cell) parasites such as white spot
disease, Ichthyophthiriasis, Costia, Trichodina, Chilodonella and
saltwater external parasites such as Cryptocaryon and Amyloodinium.
The medication can also treat fungal infections in fishes. Rid·Ich+
is recommended as the best treatment for Ich, (white spot disease). Efficacy
is improved and the treatment time is often reduced when compared to treatment
with either malachite or formalin alone. Additionally, the Rid·Ich+
formula utilizes the less common but also less toxic chloride salt of malachite
green (this is the same salt used in Kordon's Malachite Green). The recommended
treatment concentration of Rid·Ich+ should be approached with caution,
carefully observing the reactions of the treated fishes and ceasing treatment
if any undue stress is noted. Remember, when the first outward signs of
Ich (scattered spots) are noticed, the fish is often quite heavily parasitized
in the gills - lowering the fish's ability to withstand additional stress.
The weaker the fishes' condition the poorer its response to any medication.
Rid·Ich+ has been shown to be reasonably safe for use on fishes which
normally cannot tolerate malachite green alone.
Fishes such as the so-called "scale-less" species (loaches,
catfish, etc.) tolerate Rid·Ich+ very well, but be sure to follow
cautions noted earlier. Some Mormyrids (elephant noses) may be particularly
sensitive and should not be treated with any medication containing malachite
green, including Rid·Ich+. Rid·Ich+ will not interfere with
biological filtration. The lowering of dissolved oxygen levels in treated
water is often associated with the use of formalin or formalin-containing
medications. The use of Rid·Ich+ allows a lower concentration of
formalin to be utilized. This decreases the chances of lowering the dissolved
oxygen; however, (as noted above) treated fishes should be carefully observed
for any signs of respiratory distress. It should be noted that while increased
temperatures will often shorten the life cycle of some disease-causing organisms,
it will also cause a decrease in the dissolved oxygen levels of the water.
Do not increase the temperature in tanks or ponds used for treatment, unless
sufficient oxygen is assured.
General Diagnosis of Parasitic Diseases of Fishes
The following brief summary of clinical signs often associated with the
parasitic protozoans discussed above is intended only as an aid for the
beginning aquarist. It is not to be thought of as a definitive diagnostic
key. It is also important that the aquarist consult appropriate, accurate
references for more specific information regarding disease problems of fishes.
In addition, if possible, skin and/or gill smears should be made and examined
by a qualified fish diagnostician. Microscopic examination is recommended
and is always essential for confirmation of a particular disease. In the
clinical signs indicated below, a particular description may be followed
by a specific disease causing organism in brackets. It should be understood
that different clinical signs can be seen during the disease process and
that these can occur as the result of more than one disease-causing organism.
Clinical Signs
Increased respiration; excessive skin mucus; loss of normal body color,
scratching on the tank bottom or on objects; lethargic behavior; presence
of discrete white spots (0.5-1.0 mm in diameter), randomly distributed on
the body [Ich].
Specifications
Contains formaldehyde (11.52% formalin) U.S.P. grade 4.26% and premium quality
zinc-free chloride salt of malachite green 0.038%. Made in the U.S.A.
Dosage
Use 1 teaspoon (approximately 5 ml) per 10 gallons of water. This produces
a concentration of 15 ppm formalin and 0.05 ppm of malachite green. When
used at the recommended concentration, 4 ounces of Rid-Ich will treat 240
gallons of water.
Mode of Action
Malachite green is believed to bind strongly with the internal cytoplasmic
structure of disease causing organisms interfering in normal metabolism.
Formalin is a powerful reducing agent which acts by denaturing cell proteins.
Rid·Ich+ is stable indefinitely in solution. It must be stored
above 50° F (10° C) to prevent product precipitation. Do not freeze.
Do not use Rid·Ich+, or any product containing formaldehyde that
has been frozen. Keep tightly closed when not in use to prevent loss of
formaldehyde.
Compatibilities
Kordon's Rid·Ich+ should not be used with any other medication. When
used as directed, the product is safe for use in aerated aquaria and ponds
or in recirculation systems utilizing biological filtration. NovAqua®
can be used during or following treatment after a water change of 20-30
%.
Contraindications
This medication is not intended for use in the control of bacterial infections,
flukes (monogenetic trematodes), or copepods. Rid·Ich+ is primarily
for the control and treatment of diseases of freshwater and marine fishes
caused by external protozoan and sporozoan parasites.
Toxicity
The Rid·Ich+ combination in this formulation is relatively non-toxic
for fishes, but may not be tolerated by certain invertebrates, when used
as directed. It may be used for the treatment of "scaleless" fishes.
As with any medication, caution should be exercised whenever utilizing a
chemical for the first time on a species of fish for which its tolerance
is unknown. Always terminate treatments early (with partial water changes
or filtration with granular activated carbon) if signs of undue stress occur.
Do not treat fishes which cannot be directly observed during treatment.
Be aware that some mormyrids (i.e. elephant noses) and freshwater stingrays
may be adversely affected by Rid·Ich+. Rid·Ich+ is not recommended
for use in aquariums containing invertebrates and may cause severe stress
or death to certain of these animals. If Rid·Ich+ must be used in
aquariums containing invertebrates, tests should be performed to determine
a particular animals' tolerance to this medication.
Suggested Treatment Procedures
The following procedures are suggested for both freshwater and saltwater
systems. It is important to note that activated carbon will remove the malachite
green component of the formulation. Formalin can also be removed somewhat;
however, the amount is insignificant.
Treatment of Freshwater and Saltwater External Parasites
The following procedure is applicable when treating the diseased fishes
in their original aquarium or pond:
(a) Remove any invertebrates you wish to save.
(b) Remove carbon and clean outside filter. Replace with clean mechanical
filter media, such as Kordon's Bio·Mech®,
and return to use without the carbon.
(c) Perform a partial water change of at least 25%. Repeat water changes
before each re-treatment with Rid·Ich+.
(d) Calculate the actual volume of water to be treated, taking into consideration
the displacement of water by gravel, rock, and ornaments. (To calculate
the aquarium's capacity measure its length, height and width in inches,
multiply these dimensions together and divide the result by 232. Your answer
will be the amount of water in gallons.)
(e) Add 1 teaspoon of Rid·Ich+ per 10 gallons of water. This produces
a concentration of 15 ppm of formalin and 0.05 ppm of malachite green.
(f) Treatments may be repeated as often as every 6 hours (depending upon
the severity of the particular disease and the tolerance of the diseased
fishes). Treatment should be repeated no less than every 24 hours (see step
c) and continued for one treatment beyond the disappearance of all sign
of disease. Typical treatments of freshwater ich will be four to five days
long (meaning four or five partial water changes followed by re-dosing of
Rid·Ich+). The actual time necessary will depend upon the particular
disease, the degree to which the fish are affected, and how early the disease
is detected and appropriate treatment started. Note: Failure to properly
diagnose a given disease and failure to start appropriate treatment early
enough will often result in the death of some or all of the diseased fishes.
(g) After treatment, make a 40% water change. Add Kordon's NovAqua® and AmQuel® before replacing
water in the tank.
Some situations may warrant the transfer of the affected fishes to a
separate quarantine tank. If you elect to follow this procedure, the original
aquarium or pond should remain devoid of any fishes for a period of not
less than 4 days to insure that any remaining parasites have expired. Carefully
inspect the fishes prior to returning them to the original aquarium or pond
to insure that all signs of the infestation are gone.
Life Cycle of Ichthyophthiriasis ("Ich")
Ich has several stages in its life cycle, of which only one stage, the tomites,
is vulnerable to treatment. The maturing stage of Ich is the white spots
seen on the fish's skin, which are technically called trophozoite cysts.
This is the only stage that can be readily observed. When mature, the trophozoites
become trophonts, leave the fish, and each produce 200 to 1,000 minute "swarmers",
which are released into the water to become motile infecting tomites; these
tomites must find a host within 2-3 days or die. It is during this time
that Rid·Ich+ is effective in treatment. At a water temperature of
about 75° F (24° C), the complete life cycle is usually a week or
less in duration; in colder water the cycle becomes longer. For more details
on fresh water "ich", click here: THE LIFE
CYCLE OF ICH
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