| This article (which will continue to grow with | | | | available or viable |
| information) is informational about different aquarium | | | | USE: Trichlorfon is useful for treatment of: Hydra, |
| (and pond) treatments. I give the gram negative or | | | | Lernia (Anchor Worms), Parasitic Copepods, |
| gram positive applications where they apply. | | | | Monodigenetic and Digenetic Flukes, Fish Lice |
| When you have fish that are sick (bacterial, fungal, | | | | (Argulus), Leeches |
| protozoan, or other parasites), you want to try and | | | | CLOUT contains Trichlorfon (Dimethyl |
| isolate them in a hospital aquarium whenever possible. | | | | (2,2,2,Trichloro-1-Hydroxyethyl) Phosphonate), as well |
| Regular water changes before each treatment allow | | | | as; 4-[P-(dimethylamino)-O-phenylbenzylidene]-2, |
| for a more effective treatment, especially when | | | | 5-cyclohexadien-1-xylidene dimethylammonium |
| treated in the display aquarium. | | | | chloride, 1,2,dimethyl-5-nitroimidazole |
| Sponge Filters work well in hospital aquariums. | | | | DOSAGE: There is no recommended dosage (other |
| Remember to remove carbon, as carbon will remove | | | | than Freshwater fish acute toxicity= 1.6-180 ppm), |
| many medications. Also note that silicone in the | | | | refer to manufacturers directions for all products |
| aquarium will absorb malachite green , methylene blue, | | | | containing Trichlorfon. |
| and copper sulfate. Most corals (crushed and | | | | PENICLLIN, AMPICILLAN; |
| otherwise), and ceramic decorations will also absorb | | | | USE: Belonging to the group of beta-lactam |
| medications such as malachite green, methylene blue, | | | | antibiotics, ampicillin is able to penetrate Gram-positive |
| and copper sulfate. | | | | and some Gram-negative bacteria. |
| Proper calcium levels are important, as calcium also | | | | Even though this a commonly used antibiotic family in |
| helps in healing and stress, and without proper calcium | | | | humans and other warm blooded animals, this is a |
| levels healing may be diffficult or impossible. The | | | | family of antibiotics that has shown to be generally |
| addition of antibiotics (such as Tetracycline) will lower | | | | useless in fish. About the only effectiveness comes in |
| calcium absorbtion. | | | | the treatment of some fungal eye infections. All |
| For more infomation about calcium, see this article: | | | | medications, antimicrobials, antibiotics, |
| CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM, AND KH IN AQUARIUMS | | | | chemotherapeutics work differently in differently in |
| \\\"Medicated Wonder Shells\\\" deliver medication | | | | different organisms, even if the processes are similar. |
| for ich and fungus treatment and control kH (Calcium) | | | | An example I often use is for Quinine Sulfate; this is |
| levels. | | | | a generally safe and effective treatment for fish, but |
| TRIPLE SULFA (Sulfamerazine, Sulfamethazine, | | | | not at all for invertebrates. |
| Sulfathiazole): | | | | ISONIAZID 300 mg: |
| Sulfas are all antibacterials. These drugs produce are | | | | USE: Treatment for tuberculosis (Symptoms: the fish |
| bacteriostatic, meaning they inhibit the growth of the | | | | have been sick for several months. The fish is |
| bacteria but do not kill them. | | | | lethargic, anorexic, has fin or scale loss and a sunken |
| Sulfa drugs arrest cell growth by inhibiting the | | | | stomach) in susceptible fish such as Discus. Can be |
| synthesis of folic acid, a component required for | | | | combined with kanamycin. |
| growth by bacteria. Folic acid is a large molecule and | | | | This is a difficult disease to treat, as treatment can |
| is unable to enter bacterial cells, so the bacteria must | | | | go on for more tha a month. |
| synthesize the compound intracellularly. Animal cells | | | | Also note that this is caused by a very similar |
| are unable to synthesize folic acid and it must be | | | | bacterium in human TB, but is not the same, and the |
| provided in the diet. For this reason sulfa drugs are | | | | only danger to humans is to a open wound exposed |
| not toxic to animal cells. | | | | to the bacterium, which then only causes a localized |
| USE: A broad spectrum antibacterial medication, fin | | | | rash. |
| and tail rot, mouth fungus and collapsed fins, | | | | DOSAGE: 1 tablet per 20 gallons, every other day for |
| columnaris, and hemorrhagic septicemia. Also useful | | | | 14- 30 days |
| for damaged fins caused by fin nipping. An old | | | | METHYLENE BLUE (Zinc Free) 2.303% : |
| standby that is still usefull and can be used in | | | | USE: Fungus on eggs, Ich, fungus and some bacteria. |
| combination with Malachite Green or Acriflavin (do not | | | | Effective in gill disease. Transports oxygen. Some |
| combine with copper sulfate). Sulfas are more | | | | protozoa, sliminess of the skin and oodinium. Great |
| effective at higher pH levels. | | | | for use as a 30 minute dip at double dose. |
| DOSAGE: 250 mg per 10 gallons every 24 hours with | | | | Great when used as a dip for topical treatment of |
| a 25% water change before each treatment. Treat | | | | parasites, bacterial, and fungal infections. When dylox |
| for a minimum of 10 days. | | | | is not available, this can a useful treatment for anchor |
| TETRACYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE: | | | | worm (especially in goldfish); first carefully remove |
| USE: Treatment of bacterial infections mostly | | | | the anchor worm with tweezers, then dip the |
| gram-positive and some gram-negative infections | | | | affected fish in Methylene blue. When used with a |
| such as fin and tail rot (split, ragged and deteriorating | | | | UV sterilizer to kill the swimming stage of the female |
| fin and/or tail), Popeye (protruding eyes, may be | | | | anchor worm (the female is the parasite), this can be |
| cloudy or hazy), gill disease (swollen, discolored gills, | | | | an effective treatment. (Tank can also be treated |
| gasping for air and a decrease in activity) and | | | | with Malachite green or malachite green combination |
| secondary infections. It interferes with the production | | | | during this time for improved effectiveness). |
| of proteins that the bacteria need to multiply and | | | | Also useful as a dip for ammonia and nitrite poisoning. |
| divide (bacteriostatic). Tetracycline Hydrochloride | | | | DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 2.303% solution per 10 |
| mode of action is as a protein synthesis inhibitor via | | | | gallons every other day for 10 days with water |
| an aminoacyl-tRNA binding mechanism to the 30S | | | | changes before each treatment. BEST USED IN A |
| subunit. Mode of resistance is the loss of cell wall | | | | HOSPITAL TANK. Methylene blue can destroy |
| permeability. Note, Teracycline can lower red blood | | | | nitrifying bacteria and plants in the display aquarium. |
| cell count, because of this I would not use with | | | | ACRIFLAVIN HYDROCHLORIDE 3.84% solution: |
| injured fish. | | | | USE: An antiseptic agent for the skin and mucous |
| DOSAGE: 250- 500 mg per 20 gallons of water. Every | | | | membranes. It is known to inhibit mitochondriogenesis. |
| 24 hours with a 25% water change before each | | | | Generally used treatment of mild bacterial and fungal |
| treatment. This product will not work in water with a | | | | infections such as mouth fungus, fin and tail rot, |
| ph above 7.5- NOT FOR MARINE USE! | | | | fungus, saproglenia; skin parasites such as oodinium |
| QUININE SUFATE: | | | | (velvet), sliminess of skin, and ich (although a very |
| USE: Resistant strains of Ich (especially on scale less | | | | mild treatment for ich, FW or SW) |
| fish). Protozoan, sliminess of the skin and Rams | | | | DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 3.84% solution per 10 |
| disease (whirling disease). Also good for resistant | | | | gallons every other day for 10 days. Combines well |
| strains of Hexamita when combined with | | | | with copper sulfate and malachite green. |
| Metronidazole. | | | | MALACHITE GREEN; |
| DOSAGE : 250 mg per 10 gallons of water. Once a | | | | USE: For treatment and control of various external |
| day for 4-5 days. Do a 25% water change before | | | | parasites of freshwater and marine fishes. When |
| each treatment. | | | | used as directed the medication will control or |
| OXYTETRACYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE: | | | | prevent the following common protozoan parasites: |
| USE: Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. | | | | *Ichthyophthinus (freshwater Ich) exhibited as fine |
| Marine ulcer disease, cold water disease, bacterial | | | | \\\"salt like\\\" white spots that usually first appear |
| hemorrhagic septicemia (Symptoms: Red streaks in | | | | on the fins. |
| body and fins, or redness in the body. Open sores or | | | | *Costia (Ichthyobodo). Not to be confused with ich, |
| loss of scales) and mouth fungus. | | | | is a parasite that can live dormant on healthy fish |
| DOSAGE: 250- 500 mg teaspoon per 20 gallons every | | | | (primarily their gills), then under certain conditions |
| 24 hours with a 50% water change before each | | | | (poor water conditions, stress, ECT), reproduce |
| treatment. This antibiotic is best used mixed in with | | | | rapidly. Symptoms of an outbreak include Heavy and |
| food, especially if your ph is above 8.0.. | | | | labored \\\"breathing\\\" flashing and rubbing, skin |
| NITROFURAZONE: | | | | cloudiness caused by excess mucus. |
| USE: Bactericidal for some gram-positive and many | | | | *Chilodonella, *Ambiphyra, *Cryptocaryon (marine |
| gram-negative bacteria causing disease in fresh water | | | | Ich), *Epistylis, *Oodinium and Trichodina, *Plistophora |
| and marine fishes. This antibacterial is effective for | | | | (best combined with formalin at 1/2 strength) |
| control of flexibacter/columnaris- (Symptoms: Fuzzy, | | | | Malachite Green is also effective against common |
| thin, white coating on the body and fins. Looks like a | | | | external fungal infections of fishes and eggs which |
| fungus) -works well with Kanamycin for this, | | | | include Achlya and Saprolegnia. |
| Aeromonas (Symptoms: fish have blisters forming on | | | | DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 0.038% solution per 10 |
| the skin that are full of a clear to yellowish fluid. The | | | | gallons every other day for 10-14 days. Or 1 drop of |
| blisters may turn into large sores.), Vibrio and related | | | | .50% solution per gallon every other day for 10- 14 |
| species. Nitrofurazone is particularly useful for control | | | | days. 25% water changes are recommended before |
| of minor topical skin infections of marine fishes that | | | | each dose. Use half dose for scale-less and delicate |
| have not become systemic. Effective against marine | | | | fish such as Clown Loaches and Neon Tetras. Double |
| ulcer disease and protozoan. Also useful in treating | | | | dose for marine aquariums. |
| furunculosis found in Koi. | | | | Note; malachite green is more toxic at higher ph. |
| Serious adverse events related to nitrofurans are | | | | Can be combined with Formalin or Acriflavin. |
| very rare. Acquired resistance of bacteria to | | | | FORMALIN (3% formaldehyde): |
| nitrofurans during therapy has been rare and has not | | | | USE: For treatment and control of the diseases |
| appeared on a significant scale in over 50 years of | | | | caused by fungi, protozoan and monogenetic |
| use. Do not use in the presence of invertebrates. | | | | trematodes of freshwater and marine aquarium |
| Nitrofurazone is more effective at lower pH levels. | | | | fishes. Formalin will control or help prevent diseases |
| DOSAGE: 250- 500 mg per 20 gallons. Treat every 24 | | | | of fishes caused by the following disease organisms: |
| hours with a 50% water change before each | | | | *Ichthyophthirius (freshwater \\\"ich\\\"), *Costia |
| treatment. Treat for 10 days. | | | | (Ichthyobodo), *Chilodonella, *Ambiphyra, |
| NEOMYCIN SULFATE: | | | | *Cryptocaryon (marine \\\"ich\\\"), *Epistylis, |
| USE: Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas- Open | | | | *Oodinium, *Amyloodinium, and *Trichodina. |
| red sores or ulcerations, fin and tail damage,fins and | | | | DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 3% solution per 10 gallons |
| tail are eaten away, in severe cases, down to the | | | | every other day for 10 days. Combines well with |
| body- treat with Kanamycin for this) and tuberculosis; | | | | malachite green. |
| gram-positive, and possibly mycobacterium. Works | | | | Formalin can deplete oxygen in an aquarium, so |
| well in freshwater or saltwater aquariums. | | | | consider adding an airstone or a power head with an |
| DOSAGE: 250 mg per 10 gallons of water. Treat | | | | air diffuser. |
| every 24 hours with a 25% water change before | | | | COPPER SULFATE: |
| each treatment. Treat for 10 days. For tuberculosis, | | | | USE: For treatment freshwater and marine ich, |
| use for up to 30 days. | | | | Oodinium, external parasites, fungus and even algae. |
| METRONIDAZOLE: | | | | Very effective when used properly and carefully. |
| USE: Hole in the head disease (hexamita), chilodonella, | | | | DOSAGE: Treat according to your solution to bring |
| plistophora (parasite disease usually seen in neons and | | | | your copper level to .15 -.20 ppm. Sequestered |
| cardinals that causes loss of color, darting, and | | | | Copper (often called chelated, but that is incorrect, |
| eventually death), salt water ich, bloat. | | | | chelated means inactivated) sulfate works best (citric |
| DOSAGE: 250-500 mg per 20 gallons. Treat every 24 | | | | acid help achieve this). Soluble copper salts work well |
| hours with a 25% water change before each | | | | in freshwater only. Do use with snails and other |
| treatment. Treat for 10 days. | | | | invertebrates, do not use in reef aquariums, and |
| KANAMYCIN SULFATE; | | | | note; when uses as an algaecide, the copper is |
| USE: It is used to treat many sensitive gramnegative | | | | absorbed by the algae then released when it dies. |
| and some grampositive bacteria. Works especially well | | | | Removal of sequestered copper can be difficult, only |
| in salt water aquariums. Works well combined with | | | | EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acidic Acid) and |
| Nitrofurazone for flexibacter (columnaris) (Symptoms: | | | | water changes remove it, NOT carbon. |
| Fuzzy, thin, white coating on the body and fins. | | | | ORGANIC MEDICATIONS: |
| Looks like a fungus). Also useful for | | | | There are three organic or \\\"homeopathic\\\" |
| Pseudomonas-Open red sores or ulcerations, fin and | | | | treatments that I have used; |
| tail damage,fins and tail are eaten away, in severe | | | | PIMENTA EXTRACT (PIMAFIX); |
| cases, down to the body. Kanamycin is very | | | | USE: Pimenta extract is effective for a broad range |
| effective in high pH applications, especially vibrio, | | | | of bacterial and fungal diseases that typically afflict |
| making it useful for brackish and marine treatments. | | | | fish and other aquatic animals. Fish diseases that may |
| Kanamycin can be effective for whirling disease , | | | | be treated in accordance with this include bacterial |
| suspected kidney disease and dropsey. | | | | fish diseases, such as fin and tail rot, mouth fungus |
| Kanamycin sulfate appears to prevent bacteria from | | | | (often caused by the bacterium Flavobacterium |
| making their cell walls, so the cells die. | | | | columnaris); fungal fish diseases (such as those |
| DOSAGE: 250-500 mg per 20 gallons. Treat every 48 | | | | caused by microorganisms of the genera Saprolegnia |
| hours with a 25% water change before each | | | | and Achyle) and the like. |
| treatment. Treat for 10 days. | | | | Pimafix has also shown effectiveness in the |
| FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IDENTIFICATION | | | | treatment of Dropsey caused by aeromonas or |
| AND TREATMENT OF AEROMONAS, VIBRIO, & | | | | pseudomonas (a disease of the Kidneys that causes |
| SEPTICEMIA | | | | bloating and distending of the scales, and is often |
| ERYTHROMYCIN: | | | | fatal). |
| USE: Fin and tail rot, infections attributed to kidney | | | | DOSAGE: Refer to Pimafix instructions |
| disease (often not true kidney infections), pop eye. | | | | USNEA LICHEN; |
| Most gram-positive and some gram negative bacteria | | | | USE; Usnea is a lichen of the family Parmeliaceae that |
| and fungus. Neon Tetra disease (faded color). Black | | | | grows in damp temperate woodlands. |
| Molly disease. | | | | I have found it effective for bacterial (generally gram |
| DOSAGE: 250- 500 mg per 20 gallons every 24 hours | | | | negative), fungal and even parasites such ich. This |
| with a 25% water change before each treatment. | | | | remedy is still in the testing phase, but early results |
| Treat for 10 days. | | | | are promising. The Usnea Lichen is proving to be the |
| TRICHLORFON (Dylox) | | | | most effective natural remedy early in my testing |
| Dimethyl (2,2,2,Trichloro-1-Hydroxyethyl) | | | | This lichen is boiled like a tea then added to the |
| Phosphonate: | | | | aquarium. |
| Trichlorfon is an Organophosphate and degrades | | | | DOSAGE: None established yet. I boil one small sprig |
| rapidly (approximately 99% of applied degraded in 2 | | | | in 6 oz. of water and add this to every 10-20 gallons |
| hours) in alkaline pond water (pH 8.5) at room | | | | of water every day until cure is effective +2 days |
| temperature. but remains stable in the same pond | | | | MELALUCA TEA (MELAFIX): |
| water held under acidic (pH 5.0) conditions for 2 | | | | USE: Repairs damaged fins, ulcers, and open wounds. |
| hours. | | | | Promotes re growth of damaged tissue and fins. |
| Trichlorfon is very highly toxic to invertebrates. | | | | DOSAGE: Refer to Melafix instructions |
| DO NOT USE ON FISH THAT ARE CHEMICALLY | | | | This is my very basic article, for my Full article that is |
| SENSITIVE such as: Silver Dollars, Rays, Bala Sharks, | | | | updated very regularly, please visit this URL: |
| Arowanas, Tinfoil Barbs, Hemiodus, Piranha, Most | | | | AQUARIUM MEDICATIONS, treatments, how they |
| Silver Scaled Fish, Marine sharks, Lion Fish. | | | | work, and which ones to use and not to use. |
| See methylene blue if Dylox treatment is not | | | | |