Yo Tink, Paracide Green and Pro Form C are nothing more than a mixture of malachite green and formalin. I learned in '93' how to mix my own and have been using it as needed to this day. The catalog that I used to order my malachite from described the mixture as being effective on Dactylogyrus (gill flukes), Gyrodactylus (skin flukes), Ich (Ichthyophthirius), Chilodonella, Costia, Trichodina, and fish fungus Saprolegnia. All of these parasites penetrate the skin and cause initial discomfort for the fish which results in a behavior called flashing ( their method of scratching by rubbing against objects in the pond or even wrinkles in the pond liner) or the fish may frequently jump in effort to clear its gills just to name a couple of early warnings the fish will give you to let you know things aren’t quite right. Of the two types of commercial mix available I prefer the Parricide Green. I think it’s stronger. Follow the directions on whichever you use then wait a week and do it again if the behavior continues. I have had to make several treatments a few times in the past in order to conquer stubborn cases. If you fear your bio will be compromised, then keep a supply of liquid or dry microbial clarifier or digester handy to reseed your beneficial bacteria, I tend to prefer the dry types and Winston makes one about as good as any. This has worked for me for years as it did for a couple of Japanese folks before showing me. You treat early and when the fish tell you to and you can avoid a lot of problems. With this treatment method you will not need to scrape and do a microscopy because you will use the same product for all of the mentioned parasites and a couple that I can’t remember at this moment. Just remember, watch the fish behavior and they will help you avoid a load of angst. For treatment of open sores or ulcerations, I’ve had good results with oxolinic acid (Oxolium by Argent aids in granulating new flesh among other things), Lymnozyme, or a paste of potassium permanganate (a little pot. perm. powder, a drop or two of water to make the paste and a q-tip) directly on the wound. I know they are bath treatments but desperate times have caused me to take desperate measures in the past and applications of these products directly on the wound works great even if they can’t tell you that on the label. Don’t apply them all at once alternate each day till new flesh begins to granulate, then the wound will look cleaner. Soon we’ll start callin’ you Doc’ Tinkster.
Paul