How to Treat Velvet Disease (Oodinium) in 5 Steps? – 2023

What is Velvet Disease (Oodinium)?

Velvet disease, also known as Oodinium or Velvet, is among the most common diseases in aquarium fish. Before you can even comprehend what’s happening, you might lose all your fish. It’s a potentially fatal disease caused by a type of parasite known as Oodinium.

Velvet disease can be observed in both freshwater and marine fish. In freshwater fish, Velvet originates from the variations of Oodinium pilularis and Oodinium limneticum. For marine fish, it is due to Oodinium ocellatum, leading to a condition known as coral fish disease.

Symptoms of Velvet Disease

Among the initial symptoms, the fish might rub itself against various objects in an attempt to get rid of the parasites on its body. As the disease progresses, the fish becomes lethargic and holds its fins close to its body (clamps its fins). Subsequently, appetite reduces and the fish weakens over time. A crucial diagnostic sign is the fish struggling to breathe, opening and closing its gills rapidly.

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Symptoms of Velvet Disease:

1. Rubbing against objects in the aquarium.
2. Loss of appetite and weight loss.
3. Loss or fading of color.
4. Rapid breathing and difficulty in respiration.
5. Clamping of fins close to the body.
6. Yellow (rust-like) layer on the skin.
7. Skin peeling in advanced stages. The most distinguishable and diagnostic symptom is the yellowing of the skin and the formation of a rust-like layer. If you find it challenging to observe this layer and are in doubt, you can turn off the lights and inspect the fish with the help of a flashlight. The said parasite is most commonly found on the gills and fins.

Velvet disease affects all fish, regardless of whether they are juveniles or adults. Even fry that are a few days old can get infected. Zebras, Killifish, and Goldfish are among the fish species most susceptible to this disease.

Treatment for Velvet Disease:

Velvet is an extremely contagious disease and is often not diagnosed early. Therefore, it is crucial to start treatment as soon as it’s detected.

Steps for Velvet treatment:

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1. Increase Water Temperature: Raise the water temperature to 30 degrees Celsius (86°F).
2. Limit Light Exposure: Refrain from using lights for several days, and if possible, cover the aquarium with a veil or cloth.
3. Add Salt: Add aquarium or rock salt (If there are plants or salt-sensitive species in the aquarium, apply this treatment in a quarantine tank).
4. Medication: Use Deep Fix Oodinofix for about ten days. If you can’t obtain this medication, you can use alternative medicines containing copper sulfate.
5. Discontinue Carbon Filters: If you’re using a carbon filter, stop its usage until the treatment is complete.

Just like with Ich (white spot disease), the best time to eliminate this parasite is during its free-swimming stage. These parasites derive some of their energy from light. Therefore, the absence of light in the aquarium will prevent the parasite from photosynthesizing, weakening it.

Although the recommended water temperature is 30 degrees Celsius, some fish species may get stressed at this temperature, so treating at 1-2 degrees lower is advised. Before starting the treatment, always consider your fish’s sensitivity to water temperature.

Deep Fix Oodinofix is the preferred first-choice medication for velvet in our country (referring to the original country of the writer). If it’s not available, alternative drugs should be used. It should be used consistently at the recommended dosage for 10 days, and water changes shouldn’t be neglected.

It’s worth noting that if you’re using activated carbon, you should stop using it during the treatment period. Activated carbon can negate the effects of medications.

Preventing Velvet Disease:

• Velvet typically appears in aquariums with poor water conditions. Quarantining new fish for a while is a good way to protect healthy fish and the aquarium.
• To prevent the spread, fish should be observed daily, and any showing signs of the disease should be immediately isolated and treated in a quarantine tank.
• Always quarantine new fish for a minimum of two weeks before adding them to the main tank.
• Avoid actions that degrade water quality.
• Feed your fish with high-quality and suitable feed.
• Maintain a trace amount of copper in your aquarium for early treatment (you can use copper-containing aquarium supplements or medications).

Velvet disease (Oodinium) primarily targets fry and juvenile fish. It’s a common disease among aquarium fish, but it can also affect species like shrimp. Once diagnosed with Velvet, it’s essential to control it immediately to prevent an outbreak.

However, the key to preventing the disease and averting outbreaks is not to keep species highly sensitive to velvet with other fish. Not neglecting aquarium maintenance and cleanliness is also crucial, as it holds paramount importance for many diseases.