Medications

[SouthernCross]

Are there any medications in particular that the more experienced folk recommend having on hand at all times? I'm slowly gathering my box full of various fishy accessories but as yet do not have any kind of medications. I figured at some point in the future the need would arise (although I hope not!), and it would probably be better to have something on hand just in case. I've been browsing the online supplies shop I've used for other things before, but there are loads - including things claiming to be 'multi-cures' or general antibiotics, and also more specific treatments. I have no idea how trustworthy some of these things are, so...

I was just wondering if anyone could tell me whether I should worry about having something handy, common things I should watch out for, and make any recommendations for medications that would be good to have around (if needed)?

Thanks in advance

 

[cane76]

i make sure i allways have melafix and esha 2000 both very good meds

 

[SouthernCross]

Thankyou

Yes, the site had Melafix available. Couldn't seem to find the esha 2000 on it though. Might be an Australian availability thing. So Melafix is a good 'cure-all' then for finrot and fungus and the like? How about parasitic things like ich? Anything else I should look out for?

 

[darkleo]

I use Pimafix for fungal infections as well as a broad spectrum medication. Uniodised Salt is also handy. It is better to prevent disease than cure disease, though!

 

[SouthernCross]

Is that the same as aquarium salt? Would some aquarium salt be useful to have? I don't have any brackish fish like mollies so I haven't been putting any in...

 

[iairj84]

Is that the same as aquarium salt? Would some aquarium salt be useful to have? I don't have any brackish fish like mollies so I haven't been putting any in...

I keep the aquarium salt around, it's cheap and good to have especially if keeping livebearers. Salt can be used in many cases to help with disease. It's cheap and definately worth it to have some.

I keep maracyn 1 and 2 as well as Rid-Ich around. You probably will get ICH at some time and it's better to have the stuff handy.

I generally just buy online when I have extra cash regardless of whether I need it at the time or not. It makes it much easier to have it around and not worry about money

 

[The-Wolf]

the only meds I use are
pond melafix (same as normal but 5% solution so saves wads of cash)
Acriflavin (strong antibacterial)
FMG (Fomalin & Malachite green) (strong antifungal/parasitical)
Cuprazin (copper based med for stubbon parasite infestations)

I also have to hand Parazin P, just in case of an Anchor Worm or Argulus outbreak

you'll note that all the above are pond medications, except cuprazin which is a marine
medication. I have neither a pond nor a marine tank

 

[tengtou]

The only things I use is a chlorine remover and salt.

I take really good care of my tanks so I rarely ever run into problems.

That salt helps really good to prevent diseases. I believe diseases/parasites have a hard time living in saline water. So it really helps out alot.

Along with that make sure to do a lot of water changes.

Thats all the meds I ever use and I rarely have trouble. Im kind of against using meds. I find it easier to prevent the problem rather than treating the problem. But I have heard melafix works really good, so you might wanna get some of that on the side just incase.

You can use water system softener salt. Its the same thing as the aquarium salt from fish stores.

 

[SouthernCross]

Is it okay to use salt when you have cories? I thought I read somewhere that salt can burn them...or maybe it was something else?

From this I might get:
- Melafix
- Some kind of ich treatment
- Some salt (if someone answers my above question...)

 

[tengtou]

Is it okay to use salt when you have cories? I thought I read somewhere that salt can burn them...or maybe it was something else?

From this I might get:
- Melafix
- Some kind of ich treatment
- Some salt (if someone answers my above question...)

No it doesnt burn them. Maybe you misread it.

 

[Stephanie p]

Is it okay to use salt when you have cories? I thought I read somewhere that salt can burn them...or maybe it was something else?

From this I might get:
- Melafix
- Some kind of ich treatment
- Some salt (if someone answers my above question...)

I read somewhere on a form that salt stresses them out

 

[SouthernCross]

So which is it? I might pop over and scope out the cory forum people...

 

[zoekin8yg]

Catfish are more affected by things like salt and some meds as the are softer skinned. I dont think a small ammount is bad, but you have to be careful with some things

Id also get an anti internal bacteria med and methylene blue, cant think of more off the top of my head

 

[Stephanie p]

Catfish are more affected by things like salt and some meds as the are softer skinned. I dont think a small ammount is bad, but you have to be careful with some things

Id also get an anti internal bacteria med and methylene blue, cant think of more off the top of my head

That would explain why.... When i put some anti bacteria in my tank, they went very quiet and darkish in colour for the first few days. They are fine now

 

[tengtou]

So which is it? I might pop over and scope out the cory forum people...

Ive used salt many times when I kept cories. A very small amount shouldnt harm them. But I could be wrong...