PURPOSE AND BENEFITS
ProForm-C™ is a concentrated formulation of formalin and malachite
green. It is based upon the famous Leteux-Meyer formulation,
published in 1973, for treating ichthyphthiriasis ("ich") on scaleless
catfishes. Leteux and Meyer found that the formulation they
developed was not only more effective in treating this ubiquitos
disease, but it was less toxic to the treated fishes than either drug
used separately. This is the definition of synergism.
AquaScience Research Group, Inc., improved upon the Leteux-
Meyer formulation by utilizing malachite green chloride instead of the
commonly used malachite green oxalate. The chloride form is less
toxic than the oxalate form.
ProForm-C™ is also useful in the treatment of other protozoancaused
diseases of fishes as well as fungal infections.
GENERAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
OF "ICH" (ICHTYOPHTHIRIASIS) DISEASE
IN POND FISHES
The following is a brief summary of the clinical signs often associated
with "ich"; it is intended only as an aid for the beginning aquarist, and
is not to be considered a definitive diagnostic key. It is important that
the aquarist consult appropriate references for more specific
information regarding aquarium fish diseases. Where possible, skin
scrapes and/or gill smears should be made and examined by a
qualified aquarium fish disease diagnostician (NOTE: few veterinarians
are either qualified or interested in diagnosing aquarium fish
diseases).
The signs of "ich" in fishes is usually evident by the appearance and
persistence of numerous, small (but visible) white spots on the
fishes' skin, scales, eyes and fins. The disease is often called "white
spot disease". These spots are known as cysts. It must be understood
that the cysts are usually found on the gills of the diseased
fishes. The only outward sign of the involvement of the fishes' gills
is labored respiration that is often accompanied by a drastic darkening
or lightening of the fishes overall coloration. Fishes with "ich",
where the white spots are not yet visible on the body will usually
exhibit lethargy and repeated "flashing", or scratching and scraping,
against sides or bottom or against objects in the pond.
CLINICAL SIGNS AND TREATMENT OF
OTHER DISEASES OF POND FISHES
The following signs are general and may appear with some or all of
the signs indicated above.
DISEASES CAUSED BY FUNGI (SAPROLEGNIASIS ): Saprolegniasis
is often the easiest fish disease to properly diagnose. In most cases
likely to be observed in pond fishes areas of necrotic (dead) tissue
will be covered with whitish, hairy, or "cottony" patches. This fungal
disease is almost always a secondary infection caused by stress
or injury.Treating the pond, as directed, with ProForm-C™ in
addition to directly swabbing the visible lesions on the fishes will
often affect a cure in 24 hours or less. Swabbing must be done with
a clean, cotton swab, and the a swab must never be dipped more
than once into the container of ProForm-C™. Be sure to have plenty
of clean, dry swabs ready to use.
TRICHODINIASIS: This disease usually involves the gills and skin of
the affected fishes. The diseased fishes produce excessive amounts
of skin slime which causes a whitish cast to the skin color. Disease
that is limited to the gills can cause severe respiratory distress. In koi,
the disease may be limited to the gills. Use the standard treatment
regime for ProForm-C™.
OODINIASIS (VELVET, GOLD DUST DISEASE, RUST DISEASE):
This disease is common to freshwater tropical fishes, and so may
occur where these fishes are kept in either indoor or outdoor ponds.
The skin of diseased fishes appears to have been dusted with a fine
powder. This disease is resistent to both salt and formalin treatment.
It is treatable with malachite green, which makes standard ProForm-
C™ treatment suitable.
SPECIFICATIONS
Contains trichlorfon (less than 1%, by weight) in an inert carrier
consisting of sodium chloride and sodium sulfate.
DOSAGE: ProForm-C™ is dosed at a rate of 1 mL per 10 gallons
of water. One teaspoonful (=~5 mL) will treat 50 gallons of water.
This produces a nominal concentration of 0.05 mg/L of malachite
green and 15 mg/L of formalin.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
ProForm-C™ is similar to other, weaker, formulations of malachite
green and formalin; accidental or purposeful overdoses can kill pond
fishes. Do not use on fishes which have had a history of problems
with formalin/malachite green-containing treatments. Do not use in
ponds for which the exact volume of water being treated is not
known. Unless recommended by another authoritative source, do
not use ProForm-C™ at greater than the minimum, standard
dosage. Do not use treatments more often than once every eight (8)
hours, and do not use where significant, pretreatment water
changes are not possible. Pretreatments water changes will help
insure that the pond water is not heavily contaminated with dissolved
or suspended, organic or inorganic matter that can seriously impair
fishes' respiration.
Generally, fishes under stressful conditions can tolerate as much
ProForm-C™ as they can in the absence of stress. However,
heavily diseased fishes must be treated with caution, and if signs
of stress increase (e.g. "piping" or gulping at the water's surface,
heavy coughing, head or body jerking, or sudden, unprovoked
darting about) an immediate water change (at least 50%) must be
made. Removing the fishes to untreated water will, of course, help
mitigate adverse reactions.
ProForm-C™ may be used in pond systems containing invertebrates
such as shrimp, crayfish or snails, however, observe the
reactions of these organisms carefully and remove them from the
treated water if they show adverse reactions.
ProForm-C™ is not for human or veterinary medical use. It is not
for use on food or game fishes. It is not for use in open water ways,
rivers, streams, canals, irrigation ditches, lakes, recreational ponds,
nor in aquarium or pond systems which empty directly into any such
waters.
Do not use ProForm-C™ with any other drugs or treatments (this
includes salt treatment).
Remove carbon filtration, if used, and shut off foam fractionators
("protein skimmers"). Do not shut off water pumping, but cleaning
mechanical filter media, prior to starting treatment, is recommended.
STABILITY
ProForm-C™ is stable for an indefinite period if kept in its original
container and stored away from heat and cold. When not in use store
tightly closed, at room temperature (above 60̊F and below 100̊F),
and out of direct sunlight. Do not return unused portions to the original
container.
ProForm-CTM
POND FISH MEDICATION
Product Codes: 1 quart: 701-19, 1 gallon: 701-21
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
WARNING: ProForm-C™ is poisonous to humans and pets.
ProForm-C™ may be fatal if swallowed. Do not get in eyes (may
cause blindness) or on skin. Wash thoroughly with soap and warm
water after handling. Keep away from food and feed.
ANTIDOTE: If swallowed call a physician or Poison Control Center.
Drink 1 or 2 glasses of water and induce vomiting by touching back
of throat with finger, or if available, by administering syrup of ipecac.
Do not induce vomiting or give anything by mouth to an unconscious
person. In case of contact immediately flush skin or eyes with plenty
of water for at least 15 minutes. For eyes, get medical attention.
CALIFORNIA WARNING: ProForm-C™ may contain ingredients
known to the State of California to be potential or actual carcinogens
(cancer causing) or teratogens (birth defects causing).
STANDARD TREATMENT PROCEDURES
The standard use-dilution of ProForm-C™ is 5 mL (1 teaspoon) per
50 gallons of pond water. Prior to starting treatment with ProForm-
C™ perform a large, initial water change (at least 1/3 of the pond's
present volume). It may be necessary to perform such water
changes at least 24 hours in advance of the adding ProForm-C™
to the pond so that suitable water conditioners may be added. A
nearly complete water change, prior to the use of ProForm-C™,
will often prove to be highly beneficial to the ultimate success of the
treatment.
Repeat treatments, as necessary, with pre-dosing water changes
of 10% to 25%. Repeat at least every 24 hours until a cure is affected.
Re-treatment as often as every 8 hours is possible if the fishes can
be closely observed and progress of the disease careful observed.
For such frequent re-treatments, the diseased fishes should be
moved to an aquarium with suitable filtration. This will make the
course of the treatment easily observable.
For "ich", observation of the cycle of the appearance and disappearance
of the white spots should dictate the course of the treatment.
At those times when the spots are gone, or reduced in number, the
ProForm-C™ should be re-dosed following a water change.
PACKAGING
ProForm-C™ is packaged in convenient 1 quart and 1 gallon sizes.
Both containers are fitted with child-resistant (CR) closures (caps).
Gallon sizes are put into plastic bags for better handling during
shipping.
Manufactured for:
Koi Care Kennel
5062 Gillingham Circle
Westminster, CA 92683