First Aid Kit

[SandraNewbie]

So I'vve realised I've been lucky so far with my tanks, had hardly any fish deaths (and none through illness). Because of that, I have no medicine in the house for my fish.

I would love some advice on the sorts of things I should have to hand for any fishy emergencies.

Fish I have or will soon have
Guppys
Balas
BN Pleco
Assassin Snails
Endlers
Cherry Shrimp
Zebra Nerite Snails
Mud Loach/Weather Loach crossbreed
Goldfish (lord knows what type, but these three haven't grown much)
Dwarf Gourami
Pentazona Barbs
Corys (don't know which species yet)

 

[tropical-fish-friends.com]

Melafix and Pimafix for sure. They are great for preventing bacterial and fungal infections. My experience is that if you are using these products after you have an infection, then it is too late. You will need to use a true chemical or anti-biotic treatment. These natural treatments are more like putting alcohol on a cut just to make sure it doesn't get infected.

By the way, they work great for fish that have a small injury. I keep Cichlids and they tend to get dinged up every now and again. I usually use Melafix to prevent infection.

Just be careful that you don't over do it. Make sure you follow the instructions on the label and maybe even use less with those snails and corys around.

 

[raptorrex]

So I'vve realised I've been lucky so far with my tanks, had hardly any fish deaths (and none through illness). Because of that, I have no medicine in the house for my fish.

I would love some advice on the sorts of things I should have to hand for any fishy emergencies.

Fish I have or will soon have
Guppys
Balas
BN Pleco
Assassin Snails
Endlers
Cherry Shrimp
Zebra Nerite Snails
Mud Loach/Weather Loach crossbreed
Goldfish (lord knows what type, but these three haven't grown much)
Dwarf Gourami
Pentazona Barbs
Corys (don't know which species yet)

NONE.
buy what you need, when you need it.

 

[SandraNewbie]

NONE.
buy what you need, when you need it.

Really? so if something's wrong with a fish, I should just quarantine it till morning and then try to find out what to buy at the time?

I'm sort of worried about delivery time if the LFS doesn't have it.

 

[raptorrex]

NONE.
buy what you need, when you need it.

Really? so if something's wrong with a fish, I should just quarantine it till morning and then try to find out what to buy at the time?

I'm sort of worried about delivery time if the LFS doesn't have it.

yes that's exactly what i am saying.
that's what a quarantine tank is for, to make sure you dont add illness to your tank. not for putting fish in AFTER they are ill. (well ok it is, but it shouldn't be, .)
honestly, if your LFS doesn't have basic meds, in stock. find another LFS.

too many people treat for "knee jerk" reasons, often without any idea of the real illness. IMNSHO
and there is often a tenancy to treat, "just in case".

the only thing i keep in stock, is TeaTree oil, and that's because we use it in the house anyway.

 

[Aquascaper]

Agree with raptorrex....buy what you need when you need it otherwise the temptation is to stock a 'cure all' or just use what you've got in a panic which could do more harm than good.

If a fish becomes ill and needs immediate (ie. within hours) treatment the chances are it will die as those sorts of illnesses rarely respond well to treatments anyway as it may have been ill for some time with no outward signs. If it has Ich or something commonly treatable then the majority of the time it will survive for a day at least before treatment (based in the fact you will have spotted these illnesses early as you check your fish daily anyway).

 

[SandraNewbie]

Ok, message received and understood

(based in the fact you will have spotted these illnesses early as you check your fish daily anyway).

Not so much. I live in a different city to my tanks 3 days a week. so I could theoretically check my fish thoroughly sunday night, briefly monday morning and not see them till after 7 on a thursday...

 

[snazy]

Melafix and Pimafix for sure. They are great for preventing bacterial and fungal infections. My experience is that if you are using these products after you have an infection, then it is too late. You will need to use a true chemical or anti-biotic treatment. These natural treatments are more like putting alcohol on a cut just to make sure it doesn't get infected.

I disagree. Melafix and Primafix are not preventive medication and should not be used on a healthy fish and do have long term side effects(from the top of my head liver damage) Anything like a small cut or tear on a fish will heal just fine without these meds in good quality water and regular water changes.

 

[raptorrex]

Melafix and Pimafix for sure. They are great for preventing bacterial and fungal infections. My experience is that if you are using these products after you have an infection, then it is too late. You will need to use a true chemical or anti-biotic treatment. These natural treatments are more like putting alcohol on a cut just to make sure it doesn't get infected.

I disagree. Melafix and Primafix are not preventive medication and should not be used on a healthy fish and do have long term side effects(from the top of my head liver damage) Anything like a small cut or tear on a fish will heal just fine without these meds in good quality water and regular water changes.

yes, good point well made.

 

[Aquascaper]

I live in a different city to my tanks 3 days a week. so I could theoretically check my fish thoroughly sunday night, briefly monday morning and not see them till after 7 on a thursday...

Well if you had an outbreak just after you left on Monday morning then by the time you get back on Thursday would treating right then really make any difference to the next day? The point I'm trying to make is where do you stop with the prevention planning? A whole identical tank setup with every medication available?

An excellent point was made, if your LFS doesn't keep stock of medications for the most common ailments at all times find one that does.

I understand your point but in all honesty I wouldn't bother.