SeaChem
SeaChem Paraguard
ParaGuard is the only fish and filter safe aldehyde based (10 percent by weight) parasite control product available (for parasites on fish). Unlike highly toxic and difficult to use formalin based medications, ParaGuard contains no formaldehyde or methanol and will not alter pH. ParaGuard employs a proprietary, synergistic blend of aldehydes, malachite green, and fish protective polymers that effectively and efficiently eradicates many ectoparasites (e.g. ich etc.) and external fungal/bacterial/viral lesions (e.g. fin rot). It is particularly useful in hospital and receiving tanks for new fish and whenever new fish are introduced to a community tank.
SeaChem Paraguard
SeaChem Paraguard
SeaChem Paraguard 500 mL
Product Description:
SeaChem Paraguard 500 mL
ParaGuard is the only fish and filter safe aldehyde based (10 percent by weight) parasite control product available (for parasites on fish). Unlike highly toxic and difficult to use formalin based medications, ParaGuard contains no formaldehyde or methanol and will not alter pH. ParaGuard employs a proprietary, synergistic blend of aldehydes, malachite green, and fish protective polymers that effectively and efficiently eradicates many ectoparasites (e.g. ich etc.) and external fungal/bacterial/viral lesions (e.g. fin rot). It is particularly useful in hospital and receiving tanks for new fish and whenever new fish are introduced to a community tank.
Types of Infections Treated:
Parasitic – Fungal – Bacterial – Viral
Parasitic – Fungal – Bacterial – Viral
Directions
Dosing:
Remove all invertebrates from the tank as well as any chemical filtration. Use 5 mL (1 capful) of ParaGuard for every 40 L (10 US gallons). Repeat this dose daily as required as long as fish show no stress.
Dosing:
Remove all invertebrates from the tank as well as any chemical filtration. Use 5 mL (1 capful) of ParaGuard for every 40 L (10 US gallons). Repeat this dose daily as required as long as fish show no stress.
ParaGuard can also be used as a medicated dip. For 1 hour dips, use 3 mL per 4 L (1 US gallon) in a container separate from your main tank. Dips may be extended if the fish show no evidence of stress. Keep in mind that many diseases linger in the water as well as on the fish. Giving a fish a dip treatment does no good if they go right back into infected water.
Quarantine:
This is a tank set up in order monitor and medicate new fish before they go into the main tank. ParaGuard is gentle enough to use prophylactically (without visible symptoms) if needed. Quarantine times vary, but we generally recommend 2 weeks of treatment with ParaGuard to clear out any possible external infections.
This is a tank set up in order monitor and medicate new fish before they go into the main tank. ParaGuard is gentle enough to use prophylactically (without visible symptoms) if needed. Quarantine times vary, but we generally recommend 2 weeks of treatment with ParaGuard to clear out any possible external infections.
Sensitive Fish:
Some fish are more sensitive to medications than others. Eels, loaches, rays, sharks, and many others are well known for their sensitivity to all kinds of medications. If you suspect that your fish may be sensitive to medications, it is just fine to start with a partial dose and build up to the full dose over several days.
Some fish are more sensitive to medications than others. Eels, loaches, rays, sharks, and many others are well known for their sensitivity to all kinds of medications. If you suspect that your fish may be sensitive to medications, it is just fine to start with a partial dose and build up to the full dose over several days.
Not recommended for reef aquaria. As an alternative, use SeaChem MetroPlex.
Common Fish Diseases Treatable with ParaGuard
ICH (White Spot)
Ichthyophthirius (freshwater) / Cryptocaryon (saltwater)
Looks like salt sprinkled on the fishs body and fins. Usually accompanied by twitching, flashing, and other signs of stress and irritation. Several parasites are grouped under this name, but the symptoms are almost identical. Ich is among the most common infections of fish, and is entirely treatable with diligence and attention to water quality.
ICH (White Spot)
Ichthyophthirius (freshwater) / Cryptocaryon (saltwater)
Looks like salt sprinkled on the fishs body and fins. Usually accompanied by twitching, flashing, and other signs of stress and irritation. Several parasites are grouped under this name, but the symptoms are almost identical. Ich is among the most common infections of fish, and is entirely treatable with diligence and attention to water quality.
Suggested Treatment Period:
14 days in freshwater, up to 28 days in saltwater
14 days in freshwater, up to 28 days in saltwater
Special Considerations:
It is very important with this parasite to continue dosing for the full treatment period. A break in the medication allows the parasite to multiply and reinfect the fish.
It is very important with this parasite to continue dosing for the full treatment period. A break in the medication allows the parasite to multiply and reinfect the fish.
VELVET
Piscinoodinium (freshwater) / Amyloodinium (saltwater)
Similar to Ich, but smaller and grey-gold. Most often seen in saltwater, but can occur in freshwater as well. Velvet is less common than Ich, but the treatment is almost identical.
Piscinoodinium (freshwater) / Amyloodinium (saltwater)
Similar to Ich, but smaller and grey-gold. Most often seen in saltwater, but can occur in freshwater as well. Velvet is less common than Ich, but the treatment is almost identical.
Suggested Treatment Period:
14 – 21 days
14 – 21 days
Special Considerations:
Velvet is a photosynthetic parasite – it will help with treatment if you can turn off the lights while the fish are infected
Velvet is a photosynthetic parasite – it will help with treatment if you can turn off the lights while the fish are infected
FIN ROT
Bacterial infection
Fins appear shredded, frayed, or decaying. Fin Rot is frequently mistaken for damage from fin-nipping fish. Contrary to the name, this is actually caused by bacteria, not fungus.
Bacterial infection
Fins appear shredded, frayed, or decaying. Fin Rot is frequently mistaken for damage from fin-nipping fish. Contrary to the name, this is actually caused by bacteria, not fungus.
Suggested Treatment Period:
7 days or until infection clears
7 days or until infection clears
Special Considerations:
Fin Rot is often found as a secondary infection (that is an infection that started because the fish was already sick). Make sure to check for additional infections.
Fin Rot is often found as a secondary infection (that is an infection that started because the fish was already sick). Make sure to check for additional infections.
Dactylogyrus trematodes (skin) / Monogenenean trematodes (gills)
Fish appear sluggish, flash against rocks, and often gasp and show other signs of stress. Flukes are difficult to diagnose because the parasite itself cannot be seen until the advanced stages of infection. Look for gasping, excessive mucus production, twitching and flashing, and translucent spots (advanced infections)
Fish appear sluggish, flash against rocks, and often gasp and show other signs of stress. Flukes are difficult to diagnose because the parasite itself cannot be seen until the advanced stages of infection. Look for gasping, excessive mucus production, twitching and flashing, and translucent spots (advanced infections)
Suggested Treatment Period:
14 days or until infection clears
14 days or until infection clears
Special Considerations:
Dip treatments with ParaGuard are helpful in treating and preventing flukes, but keep in mind that this parasite spends part of its life cycle living in your water and substrate – the entire tank needs to be treated in order to clear the infection.
Dip treatments with ParaGuard are helpful in treating and preventing flukes, but keep in mind that this parasite spends part of its life cycle living in your water and substrate – the entire tank needs to be treated in order to clear the infection.
They are not always on the fish!
Ich, velvet, and many other parasites spend a large portion of their life cycle as a cyst that is immune to medication and hiding in the substrate of your tank. Remember that you need to finish the full treatment even if you can not see parasites on the fish any more!