OK got the angelfish photo/ RAY
That’s very odd that at least one of your LFS’s didn’t have at least one of the brands of medications containing Metronidazole, not that you needed it anyway. Yes, I know exactly what you mean when you say there is only one central distribution center of aquaium supplies out on Long Island. The only aquarium dry goods wholesaler out your way is Royal Pet Supply headquartered in Brentwood. I know them well; the firms president is a gentleman by the name of Stephen Augenstein and his distribution manager is Mike Voyias. They’re instrumental in supplying us (NJAS) with donations of all types to benefit our annual shows which have been most appreciated over the decades — they’re more than generous.
I know all too well about the traffic that can occur while driving through the NYC area boroughs and counties (Nassua & Suffolk) of L.I., and the few access routes that exist to gain access to your area. Back when I was importing fish, I had a number of customers out on Long Island — one in particular was Aquarium Imports in Amittyville. I used to either drive the Southern State Parkway or the Long Island Expressway and then Route 110 to reach him. No problem running out there early in the morning as the traffic was mostly going the opposite way, to New York City, but it was a nightmare going back with that flow during that “rush hour” period.
The trips I needed to make, to JFK International Airport were no fun either when I had shipments coming in, as Newark (NJ) Airport was not yet an International Airport at that time and didn’t receive overseas flights. I often scheduled flights to arrive at JFK at 2 or 3AM just so I’d have clear sailing in driving down the Grand Central and Van Wyke Expressways; the only problem was waiting for the customs inspectors at that time of the morning, although they were on duty 24 hours a day — and the long morning ahead of me putting the fish away.
I would not have expected any of the big box stores to carry anything out of the ordinary or the most called-for items. They’re not there to make things easier for their customers, but to make it the most convenient and profitable way to enrich their stores.
You no doubt saw where I mentioned that while your fish may have had Hexamita (undetermined, but tentatively suggested by its refusal to eat), this had nothing to do with any possible HITH, which your fish didn’t appear to have. Metronidazole is often recommended for treating HITH, although I missed how that became a subject in your topic of threads. While I realize I’ve far from seen or heard about all reports associated with treating Hexamita, every report that I’ve become aware of always stated that Metronidazole was unsuccessful at treating their Hexamita, so it makes me wonder where that original recommendation started from; I guess old habits die hard.
HITH is caused by a similar cestodes flagellate, Spironucleus in conjuction with the ectoparasite Naegleria, a free-swimming amoeba- like pathogen. While similar (related) to Hexamita, Spironucleus does not respond readily to Metronidazole; this disease is best treated with chelated copper, copper sulfate and/or nickle sulfate, but large frequent PWC’s by themselves will often promote healing. Got to be extremely careful with copper. There are still a very few cites which erroneously refer to Hexamita as being a synonym for Spironucleus, but almost all others now recognize they are two entirely different pathogens. Shows you still have to watch what you read and choose to believe.
If you’re still interested in growing out a few Angelfish, I should tell you that I now have the exclusive contract with the PetLand chain of stores in New York City to distribute Angelfish to them. We’ll be starting this trade by the middle of January, about 20 store in Manhatten. Have a Happy New Year. Ray
Category: Philippines Internet Koi Society
