(Originally posted yesterday to uk.rec.aquaria.misc)

Hi

Recently I was given a small Elephant Nose. It's settled in very well
and I'm very pleased with the little fellow.

My problem now is that one of my Platys (update: and others) in the
same tank has Velvet. In my other tank I have used Protozin at half
dosage (Clowns) before, but the instructions say that it can't be used
with an Elephant Nose present.

Having a look around on the web, I can't find any definitive answer on
how to treat Velvet (or White Spot) when you have an Elephant Nose.
Today my LFS couldn't help, so I'd appreciate any recommended
products/solutions, especially those that don't affect the
bio-filtration.

While at the LFS I purchased a small tank and intend to transfer the
Elephant Nose into that today (more stress!), then I can dose the
remaining fish with Protozin.

What do I do about treating the Elephant Nose, raise the temps? I've
read that salt shouldn't be used on them, is it just a case of wait and
see?

Regards,

Ed.

gill passman

I don't know the answer to this but I think your move of the Elephant
Nose to another tank is a good one. Some people have successfully
treated velvet/ich with raised temperatures and frequent water changes
or so I have read...if you keep the Elephant Nose's tank bare bottomed,
failing anyone coming up with a better idea, I would go with the temps
and water changes and keep a close eye on him....maybe he hasn't picked
it up...Velvet is a parasite just like ich so it strikes me that this
would be the way to go...

Hope the others recover soon

Gill

humbill

Hello - I am not familiar with the Elephant Nose. Unless it is salt
intolerant you could also add salt (1tsp/Gal). There also seems to be two
ideas on lighting - no light, since they process chloryphyll (sp?) or 24
hour lights with they idea they may 'burn themselves out'. In either case
it would seem regular 8 hour lighting is not appropriate. HTH
Bill