| This article (which will continue to grow with | | | | DO NOT USE ON FISH THAT ARE CHEMICALLY |
| information) is informational about different aquarium | | | | SENSITIVE such as: Silver Dollars, Rays, Bala Sharks, |
| (and pond) treatments. I give the gram negative or | | | | Arowanas, Tinfoil Barbs, Hemiodus, Piranha, Most |
| gram positive applications where they apply. Many | | | | Silver Scaled Fish, Marine sharks, Lion Fish. |
| aquarium antibiotics and chemical treatments are | | | | See methylene blue if Dylox treatment is not |
| explained. | | | | available or viable |
| When you have fish that are sick (bacterial, fungal, | | | | USE: Trichlorfon is useful for treatment of: Hydra, |
| protozoan, or other parasites), you want to try and | | | | Lernia (Anchor Worms), Parasitic Copepods, |
| isolate them in a hospital aquarium whenever possible. | | | | Monodigenetic and Digenetic Flukes, Fish Lice |
| Regular water changes before each treatment allow | | | | (Argulus), Leeches |
| for a more effective treatment, especially when | | | | CLOUT contains Trichlorfon (Dimethyl |
| treated in the display aquarium. | | | | (2,2,2,Trichloro-1-Hydroxyethyl) Phosphonate), as well |
| Sponge filters work well in hospital aquariums. | | | | as; 4-[P-(dimethylamino)-O-phenylbenzylidene]-2, |
| Remember to remove carbon, as carbon will remove | | | | 5-cyclohexadien-1-xylidene dimethylammonium |
| many medications. | | | | chloride, 1,2,dimethyl-5-nitroimidazole |
| Also not that silicone in the aquarium will absorb | | | | DOSAGE: There is no recommended dosage (other |
| malachite green, methylene blue, and copper sulfate. | | | | than Freshwater fish acute toxicity= 1.6-180 ppm), |
| Most corals (crushed and otherwise), and ceramic | | | | refer to manufacturers directions for all products |
| decorations will also absorb medications such as | | | | containing Trichlorfon. |
| malachite green, methylene blue, and copper sulfate. | | | | Treat again in 14 days to kill new hatchings of Anchor |
| Proper calcium levels are important, as calcium also | | | | worms. |
| helps in healing and stress, and without proper calcium | | | | ISONIAZID 300 mg: |
| levels healing may be diffficult or impossible. The | | | | USE: Treatment for tuberculosis in susceptible fish |
| addition of antibiotics (such as Tetracycline) will lower | | | | such as Discus. Can be combined with kanamycin. |
| calcium absorbtion. | | | | DOSAGE: 1 tablet per 20 gallons, every other day for |
| TRIPLE SULFA (Sulfamerazine, Sulfamethazine, | | | | 14- 30 days |
| Sulfathiazole): | | | | METHYLENE BLUE (Zinc Free) 2.303% : |
| TRIPLE SULFA (Sulfamerazine, Sulfamethazine, | | | | USE: Fungus on eggs, Ich, fungus and some bacteria. |
| Sulfathiazole): | | | | Effective in gill disease. Transports oxygen. Some |
| USE: Treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections, | | | | protozoa, sliminess of the skin and oodinium. Great |
| fin and tail rot, mouth fungus and collapsed fins, | | | | for use as a 30 minute dip at double dose. |
| columnaris. Also useful for damaged fins caused by | | | | Very effective when used as a dip for topical |
| fin nipping. An old standby that is still usefull and can | | | | treatment of parasites, bacterial, and fungal |
| be used in combination with Malachite Green or | | | | infections. When dylox is not available, this can a |
| Acriflavin (do not combine with copper sulfate) | | | | useful treatment for anchor worm (especially in |
| DOSAGE: 250 mg per 10 gallons every 24 hours with | | | | goldfish); first carefully remove the anchor worm |
| a 25% water change before each treatment. Treat | | | | with tweezers, then dip the affected fish in |
| for a minimum of 10 days. | | | | Methylene blue. When used with a UV sterilizer to kill |
| TETRACYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE: | | | | the swimming stage of the female anchor worm (the |
| USE: Treatment of bacterial infections, both | | | | female is the parasite), this can be an effective |
| gram-positive and gram-negative infections such as | | | | treatment. (Tank can also be treated with Malachite |
| fin and tail rot (split, ragged and deteriorating fin and | | | | green or malachite green combination during this time |
| or tail), Popeye (protruding eyes, may be cloudy or | | | | for improved effectiveness). |
| hazy), gill disease (swollen, discolored gills, gasping for | | | | Also useful as a dip for ammonia and nitrite poisoning. |
| air and a decrease in activity) and secondary | | | | DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 2.303% solution per 10 |
| infections. It interferes with the production of | | | | gallons every other day for 10 days with water |
| proteins that the bacteria need to multiply and divide | | | | changes before each treatment. BEST USED IN A |
| (bacteriostatic). Tetracycline Hydrochloride mode of | | | | HOSPITAL TANK. Methylene blue can destroy |
| action is as a protein synthesis inhibitor via an | | | | nitrifying bacteria and plants in the display aquarium. |
| aminoacyl-tRNA binding mechanism to the 30S | | | | ACRIFLAVIN 3.84% solution: |
| subunit. Mode of resistance is the loss of cell wall | | | | USE: For treatment of bacterial infections such as |
| permeability. Note, Teracycline can lower red blood | | | | mouth fungus, salt water Ich, fin and tail rot, fungus, |
| cell count, because of this I would not use with | | | | saproglenia, skin parasites, oodinium (velvet), sliminess |
| injured fish. | | | | of skin. |
| DOSAGE: 250- 500 mg per 20 gallons of water. Every | | | | DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 3.84% solution per 10 |
| 24 hours with a 25% water change before each | | | | gallons every other day for 10 days. Combines well |
| treatment. This product will not work in water with a | | | | with copper sulfate and malachite green. |
| ph above 7.5- NOT FOR MARINE USE! | | | | MALACHITE GREEN; |
| QUININE SUFATE: | | | | USE: For treatment and control of various external |
| USE: Resistant strains of Ich (especially on scale less | | | | parasites of freshwater and marine fishes. When |
| fish). Protozoan, sliminess of the skin and Rams | | | | used as directed the medication will control or |
| disease (whirling disease). Also good for resistant | | | | prevent the following common protozoan parasites: |
| strains of Hexamita when combined with | | | | *Ichthyophthinus (freshwater Ich) exhibited as fine |
| Metronidazole. | | | | "salt like" white spots that usually first appear on the |
| DOSAGE : 250 mg per 10 gallons of water. Once a | | | | fins. |
| day for 4-5 days. Do a 25% water change before | | | | *Costia (Ichthyobodo). Not to be confused with ich, |
| each treatment. | | | | is a parasite that can live dormant on healthy fish |
| OXYTETRACYCLINE HYDROCHLORIDE: | | | | (primarily their gills), then under certain conditions |
| USE: Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. | | | | (poor water conditions, stress, ECT), reproduce |
| Marine ulcer disease, cold water disease, bacterial | | | | rapidly. Symptoms of an outbreak include Heavy and |
| hemorrhagic septicemia and mouth fungus. | | | | labored "breathing" flashing and rubbing, skin |
| DOSAGE: 250- 500 mg teaspoon per 20 gallons every | | | | cloudiness caused by excess mucus. |
| 24 hours with a 50% water change before each | | | | *Chilodonella, *Ambiphyra, *Cryptocaryon (marine |
| treatment. This antibiotic is best used mixed in with | | | | Ich), *Epistylis, *Oodinium and Trichodina |
| food, especially if your ph is above 8.0.. | | | | *Plistophora (best combined with formalin at 1/2 |
| NITROFURAZONE: | | | | strength |
| USE: Bactericidal for many gram-positive and | | | | Malachite Green is also effective against common |
| gram-negative bacteria causing disease in fresh water | | | | external fungal infections of fishes and eggs which |
| and marine fishes. This antibacterial is effective for | | | | include Achlya and Saprolegnia. |
| control of Aeromonas, Vibrio and related species. | | | | DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 0.038% solution per 10 |
| Nitrofurazone is particularly useful for control of minor | | | | gallons every other day for 10-14 days. Or 1 drop of |
| topical skin infections of marine fishes that have not | | | | .50% solution per gallon every other day for 10- 14 |
| become systemic. Effective against marine ulcer | | | | days. 25% water changes are recommended before |
| disease and protozoan. Also useful in treating | | | | each dose. Use half dose for scale-less and delicate |
| furunculosis found in Koi. | | | | fish such as Clown Loaches and Neon Tetras. Double |
| Serious adverse events related to nitrofurans are | | | | dose for marine aquariums. |
| very rare. Acquired resistance of bacteria to | | | | Note; malachite green is more toxic at higher ph. Can |
| nitrofurans during therapy has been rare and has not | | | | be combined with Formalin or Acriflavin. |
| appeared on a significant scale in over 50 years of | | | | FORMALIN (3% formaldehyde): |
| use. Do not use in the presence of invertebrates. | | | | USE: For treatment and control of the diseases |
| DOSAGE: 250- 500 mg per 20 gallons. Treat every 24 | | | | caused by fungi, protozoan and monogenetic |
| hours with a 50% water change before each | | | | trematodes of freshwater and marine aquarium |
| treatment. Treat for 10 days. | | | | fishes. Formalin will control or help prevent diseases |
| NEOMYCIN SULFATE: | | | | of fishes caused by the following disease organisms: |
| USE: Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas- Red | | | | Ichthyophthirius (freshwater "ich"), Costia, |
| spots or streaks on body or fins of fish.) and | | | | Chilodonella, Ambiphyra, Cryptocaryon (marine "ich"), |
| tuberculosis; gram-positive, and possibly | | | | Epistylis, Oodinium, Amyloodinium, and Trichodina. |
| mycobacterium. Works well in freshwater or | | | | DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 3% solution per 10 gallons |
| saltwater aquariums. | | | | every other day for 10 days. Combines well with |
| DOSAGE: 250 mg per 10 gallons of water. Treat | | | | malachite green. |
| 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 |
| salt water ich, bloat. | | | | your copper level to .15 -.20 ppm. Sequestered |
| DOSAGE: 250-500 mg per 20 gallons. Treat every 24 | | | | Copper (often called chelated, but that is incorrect, |
| hours with a 25% water change before each | | | | chelated means inactivated) sulfate works best (citric |
| treatment. Treat for 10 days. | | | | acid help achieve this). Soluble copper salts work well |
| KANAMYCIN SULFATE; | | | | in freshwater only. Do use with snails and other |
| USE: It is used to treat many sensitive gram-negative | | | | invertebrates, do not use in reef aquariums, and |
| and some gram-positive bacteria. Works especially | | | | note; when uses as an algaecide, the copper is |
| well in salt water aquariums. Works well combined | | | | absorbed by the algae then released when it dies. |
| with Nitrofurazone for flexibacter (columnaris) | | | | Removal of sequestered copper can be difficult, only |
| (Symptoms: Fuzzy, thin, white coating on the body | | | | EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acidic Acid) and |
| and fins. Looks like a fungus). Also useful for | | | | water changes remove it, NOT carbon. |
| Pseudomonas-Open red sores or ulcerations, fin and | | | | ORGANIC MEDICATIONS: |
| tail damage,fins and tail are eaten away, in severe | | | | There are three organic or "homeopathic" treatments |
| cases, down to the body (can be combined with | | | | that I have used; |
| Neomycin for this). Kanamycin can be effective for | | | | PIMENTA EXTRACT (PIMAFIX); |
| whirling disease and dropsey. | | | | USE: Pimenta extract is effective for a broad range |
| Kanamycin sulfate appears to prevent bacteria from | | | | of bacterial and fungal diseases that typically afflict |
| making their cell walls, so the cells die. | | | | fish and other aquatic animals. Fish diseases that may |
| DOSAGE: 250-500 mg per 20 gallons. Treat every 48 | | | | be treated in accordance with this include bacterial |
| hours with a 25% water change before each | | | | fish diseases, such as fin and tail rot, mouth fungus |
| treatment. Treat for 10 days. | | | | (often caused by the bacterium Flavobacterium |
| ERYTHROMYCIN: | | | | columnaris); fungal fish diseases (such as those |
| USE: Fin and tail rot, kidney disease, pop eye. Most | | | | caused by microorganisms of the genera Saprolegnia |
| gram-positive and some gram negative bacteria and | | | | and Achyle) and the like. |
| fungus. Black Molly disease. | | | | DOSAGE: Refer to Pimafix instructions |
| DOSAGE: 250- 500 mg per 20 gallons every 24 hours | | | | USNEA LICHEN; |
| with a 25% water change before each treatment. | | | | USE; Usnea is a lichen of the family Parmeliaceae that |
| Treat for 10 days. | | | | grows in damp temperate woodlands. |
| TRICHLORFON (Dylox) | | | | I have found it effective for bacterial, fungal and |
| Dimethyl (2,2,2,Trichloro-1-Hydroxyethyl) | | | | even parasites such ich. This lichen is boiled like a tea |
| Phosphonate: | | | | then added to the aquarium. |
| Trichlorfon is an Organophosphate and degrades | | | | DOSAGE: None established yet. I boil one small sprig |
| rapidly (approximately 99% of applied degraded in 2 | | | | and add this to every 10-20 gallons of water every |
| hours) in alkaline pond water (pH 8.5) at room | | | | 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. | | | | |