Topic: First Aid Kit for your Fish

[callen]

Before you medicate




The most important thing you can do for your fish is to have the cleanest water possible.  Most often water changes will do more for your fish then any medicines can.  So before you go throwing in medicines check your water quality and when in doubt do a water change first and see if you get any improvement.  It?s important to make sure that your water quality is as pristine as possible so that you are not just bandaging underlining issues. 

It?s important to ask yourself if you really need medication.  To throw medicines in the water because of a case of Ich, for a scrape that will heal if your water and fish are in good health can stress your fish out even more.   All medicines can be very effective if
used in the right way.

Let's talk about Ich for example?

It's important to narrow down why you have an Ich outbreak.

Was a new fish added?
Is there aggression in the tank?
Did you have a temperature fluctuation?
Are your fish stressed and why?

If you answer yes to any of these questions the first thing to do is eliminate the problem.  The best method to clear up Ich is to do heat/salt therapy as this is the least stressful treatment you can do.  Please keep in mind that if it is a sever outbreak an Ich medication may be in order.

Speaking of salt? Aquarium Salt it is very therapeutic with many different diseases and is one of the first things you should add if there is a problem.  It also helps efficiency when used with many other medications.  It promotes gill function, reduces stress and loss of electrolytes.

First Aid Kit

Many times we are asked should you keep medicines like antibiotics or parasite medicine in your first aid kit just in case.  The answer is no.  All medicines have a shelf life and if you don?t have a need for it and it expires it?s a waste of money. 

With that said you should have a first aid kit and keep the following items:

Melafix and Pimafix
Aqurium Salt
Epsom Salts(Magnesium sulfate) ? Excellent for eye problems, constipation and injuries that have caused swelling.   Found in your local drug or grocery store.

Melafix and Pimafix

Are these things you should just place in your tank??NO!

With all medicines even if it is all natural should still be thought of as medicines.

Melafix - Heals open wounds & abrasions, treats fin and tail rot, eye cloud, mouth fungus and promotes regrowth of damaged fin rays & tissue. Will not adversely affect the biological filter, alter the pH, or discolor water. Safe for reef aquariums and live plants. For use in fresh or salt water.

Pimafix - An all natural medication cures fungal infections on fish and tails and both internal and external bacterial infections without discoloring water or aquarium sealant. Optimized for use with Melafix.

**Caution** When using any medication be sure it's suitable for the fish as some fish can be very sensitive.  Same with salt... as most scaleless fish can be sensitive to larger amounts.

But before using any medications it is important to know what you are medicating for and it is always best to medicate in a quarantine tank if you can.

To Your Happy Healthy Fish...Cheers! 

Carolyn Allen (aka callen)