Which Medicine?

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, In the past week I have had two fish sick with two seperate things.

One fish has a sore on his face, not healing. He is in isolation, and I believe it is bacterial.

I also just lost a fish to fish TB, and am thinking I might need to treat my main tank as a preventative measure, because this is so lethal.

Meds that I could get at the pet store - Maracyn, Maracyn 2, and Tetracycline.

 

[Tolak]

Fish TB is tough to treat. I don't deal with the lfs for meds, I order online; http/www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/...al_changes.html
It's cheaper, they have meds the lfs doesn't carry, plus their help line is awesome. A guy named Brian is often there, really knows fish & meds, he's the webmaster as well. It's worth checking out.

Tolak

 

[WILDER]

Tetracycline is the better med is's stronger than maracyn 2, good luck.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Last night I panicked after having to euthanize a fish, so i started both Maracyn and Maracyn 2. (I have no idea what bacteria is on the infected sore, which is more pink, outlined in a thin line of black, then surrounded by red irritation. This fish was isolated before the TB became obvious)

I was reading the packet insert and it says that the Maracyn will be absorbed right through the fish's skin, but it doesn't say this about the tetracycline. They had no medicated food at the LPS. Should I keep up with the maracyn 2 and maracyn, or switch to the tetracycline? If i switch, will the tetracycline be absorbed through the skin?

 

[WILDER]

I would stick with the maracyn 2 if you have started he med now,
http/www.petsforum.com/cis-fishnet/afm/G29155.htm

 

[tttnjfttt]

Should I discontinue the Maracyn (not #2) or not? I now know its not effective against the TB, but I am also concerned about the other sick fish who I pulled out of my tank last Sunday. He's got a sore that was looking infected. The center of the sore was pink (About 4 mm across), outlined in black. Around that was about 2 mm of red. The sore was slowly getting worse, but since adding the meds about 18 hours ago he has become alot more lively.

 

[WILDER]

If you do wan't to swap meds you will have to do a water change and run some black carbon for a few hours or more than medicate the tank with tetracycline.

 

[tttnjfttt]

No, i'm not thinking of switching, just wondering if i should discontinue the Maracyn. I will continue the Maracyn 2. I don't want to over medicate my fish, yet I don't know what is behind the infected sore.

 

[WILDER]

Tetracycline
Manufacturer: Aquatronics
A broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of gram-positive and some gram-negative bacterial infections. For infections of fin and tail rot, frayed fins, popeye, inflamed gills, mouth and body open sores/ulcers, livebearer disease, dropsy, Columnaris, and secondary infections such as fungal. Specific for livebearers and goldfish. Aerate the aquarium well when using. Useful for the control of some common bacterial diseases, including Aeromonias and Pseudomonas Genera and the Mysobacterial group.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fbas.co.uk/Ulcers.html

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok. The tetracycline I have is made by Mardel, and it says it is primarily used for grahm negative. Diseases it says it will help include fin rot, popeye, gill disease and secondary infections.

I don't know why there is such a difference in what the different manufactuers say. Perhaps its the delivery mechanism? I just have what is put in the water, not the food. perhaps when it is given internally it can be more effective?

 

[WILDER]

The antibiotic flakes are better, but if the fish isn't eating it's no good, that's why it's best to issolate so the sick fish gets the flakes, the flakes work faster but tetracycline in the water is good as well, but it just takes abit longer to kick into the system.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Darn LPS didn't have any. I did look and ask for them, but there were two employees there, one I know is clueless and the other was really rude. I'm gonna go ahead and stay with the maracyn and maracyn 2, since it is in there,and all the fish are really perking up.

Also, I don't know how true this is, but the makers claim Maracyn/2 was made to be absorbed through the skin, while saying nothing about tetracycline. However, it could also be a huge marketing ploy to get people to buy the expensive meds.

EDIT: Thanks for all the input again!

 

[3fsh]

IMO, tetracycline should only be used as a last resort. The Maracyn I and II combo is the best thing you can use right now. I have mixed meds with food before and that has seemed to help some. (Kind of like a do-it-yourself medicated food.) Just moisten the meds and mix it gently with large flakes (you don't want to puree it).

 

[WILDER]

Yes it does say it absorbs through the skin, good luck.

Maracyn–Two
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for internal or external gram negative bacterial infections which can even be absorbed through the skin. Effective treatment of fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, dropsy (swollen body, protruding scales), septicemia (bleeding or red streaks on the body), secondary and internal infections. Effective even when fish won't eat.
Active ingredient: Mincycline hydrochlor.