BikBok Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 It has occurred to me after reading through a lot of threads on this forum that perhaps I should be better prepared for sick fish. As I don't drive much it's not always easy to make a dash to the LFS to purchase remedys so i thought it would be a good idea to have a few bits and pieces on hand or at least a list of what I need so hubby can pick something up. I have just set up a quarantine / hospital tank, and have tonic and epsom salt. What I would like to know is what is a good safe antibacterial and antifungal medicine that can also be used with Bristlenose, Betta and Kuhli Loaches. (the other fish are guppies) . I was having a look at my BN tonight and thought i could see a clear bubble/blister on the side under one pectoral fin but I couldn't get a good look before he swam under the driftwood. This got em thinking , what can I do at short notice if it is an infection . Any ideas and suggestions would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 meds that everyone must have at home are tonic salt, wonder tonic, and some furan or similar. I have a whole host of stuff including: salt, furan, malachite green, acriflavine, copper sulfate soln, stress coat, meth blue, quinine mixed meds, and a whole load of other stuff. I hope I never have to use any of it, but always pays to be prepared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted June 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 is furan safe to use with scaless like bristlenose and kuhli? What about Meth Blue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted June 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 oh , also forgot to ask.. does meth blue stain silicone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 yep the meds are fine with CL's and kuhlis. I have found my CL's to be the strongest fish ever. In normal doses it hasn't stained my silicone. actually come to think of it - if you get rid of the meth blue once treatment is done the silicone will not get stained. the qt tanks at work have had about 4+ years of meth blue and other treatments, and the silicone is the normal colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oeminx Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 I has stained my silicone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 Meth blue usually stains silicone. I can't remember if malachite does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 I am also very careful where I stick meth blue as it stains silicone well always has for me even when following correct dosage etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 it even stains stones and some plants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted June 30, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 this might seem a silly question but does Meth Blue stain fish skin of scaleless fish?? Would I need to half the dose?? That Mal green seems pretty toxic stuff , I think I'll stay away from that. I'm not that keen on the copper either. But I can use some meth blue in a Q tank so it won't stain my main tanks .. just means catching fish if I need to! I also looked at the ingredients in Furan -2 and it has meth blue in it, does it colour the water as well or is it a mild amount. Just wondering if I would have to use that in a Q tank as well or whether I could dose the whole tank. My BN definitely has a bubble under one of his pectoral fins, it seems clear and I don't know if it's bothering him or not and what it is or what to do. The only other fish in that tank is a Betta who is a bit bossy but doesn't harm the BN that I've seen. The BN was put with the Betta in the first place because he himself was tormenting the kuhli in my other tank. anyway.. this is what I have so far: Q tank tonic salt epsom salt stress coat and I plan to buy: Meth Blue maybe Acriflavine Furan-2 am I correct in thiunkign that the meth blue and acriflavine are mainly antifungal with mild antibacterial properties and the furan-2 is a broad spectrum anitbiotic? Melafix/Betta Fix.. any good? or over stated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted June 30, 2009 Report Share Posted June 30, 2009 I use meth blue mainly as an antifungal, acriflavine as an antibacterial and antiparasite for fish sensitive to copper or malachite, and furan as an antibacterial. Malachite and copper are very effective on fish not sensitive to them. Formadehyde is also good as an antivirul but like the previous two should be used with caution. Many of these treatments such as copper, malachite, quinine can cause temporary sterility in fish so you need to be careful if breeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 this has all been very helpful.. I'm making notes like crazy in my Fish book! Just got a nitrate test kit today , looks complicated so will have a good read of the instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkfur Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I like melafix as a preventative when moving fish and I use it when my bettas mate if they are being a bit rough lol I think it probably helps prevent fungus in the eggs too although i have no evidence to prove this I assume you have a big bottle of stresscoat or similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BikBok Posted July 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 I assume you have a big bottle of stresscoat or similar? Yes, I've been using stresscoat for my water changes and I see you can double the dose if fish are injured. I used a double dose when my Kuhlis went up the filter. They have healed nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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