blue tang itch update...fin rot
- Thread starter taz13777
- Start date
limitdown
New member
Fin rot is very easy to treat. It's caused by gram-negative bacteria.
Since you're a pharmacist, you can just grab stuff off the shelf at work. You can use some of the older medicines like tetracycline (i understand that we don't use this on humans anymore), erythromycin (old, weak). The cephalexins are so-so on fish (but i have yet to try Cedax). I've had no success with the "cillins" like amoxycillin.
Go for something with broader spectrum, but with more effectiveness on gram-negative bacteria as most marine bacteria are negative.
My preference is minocycline. They come in 100mg capsules (blue and orange). Dump in 20mg per 10gallons on the first day, and then another 10mg each day for 4 more days. It's safe on your biological filters and inverts, but i'm not sure if it's safe on corals. . If you can't sneak any from work, then pick it up online or at your LFS, it's called Maracyn 2 made by Mardel.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4842
Since you're a pharmacist, you can just grab stuff off the shelf at work. You can use some of the older medicines like tetracycline (i understand that we don't use this on humans anymore), erythromycin (old, weak). The cephalexins are so-so on fish (but i have yet to try Cedax). I've had no success with the "cillins" like amoxycillin.
Go for something with broader spectrum, but with more effectiveness on gram-negative bacteria as most marine bacteria are negative.
My preference is minocycline. They come in 100mg capsules (blue and orange). Dump in 20mg per 10gallons on the first day, and then another 10mg each day for 4 more days. It's safe on your biological filters and inverts, but i'm not sure if it's safe on corals. . If you can't sneak any from work, then pick it up online or at your LFS, it's called Maracyn 2 made by Mardel.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4842
Last edited:
paulamrein
New member
Are you sure about that? You are correct in that it's caused by a gram negative bacteria, and that most marine bacteria is gram negative. What I question that you say it's safe on your biological filter as your biological filter IS GRAM NEGATIVE.
Any and all treatments should be done in QT.
Gdevine
Premium Member
What about a more natural cure such as PimaFix or MelaFix? From what I just read these are reef safe, won't harm the biological filter and will cure fin and tail rot among other infections. What is the cure rate for these homeopathic types of treatments?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4615+11269&pcatid=11269
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4615+11269&pcatid=11269
limitdown
New member
Minocyline may weaken your bio filter, but it won't kill everything.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4842
Click on the "More Information" box.
From the directions:
"Effects on Biological Filtration
Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas are widely recognized as the primary beneficial bacteria present in the biological filtration system of every aquarium. Some drug, which treat fish disease are harmful to these "good" bacteria. When the biological filter is upset, there is a build-up of ammonia and nitrite concentrations, resulting in fish distress and sometimes death. Mardel products have been tested with known strains of these bacteria with no adverse effects noted. When used as directed, they do not interfere with the biological filter."
Blue tang better
Blue tang better
ok, I tried to get him out of the tank sunday and no luck, so I figured to watch him to see if he improves with the water change.....that seems to have worked....he has grown back a little bit of the fins and seems to be fine and looks 10 times better....with still some scrapes that look like they are healing..so should I still try to take him out or let him heal?
Blue tang better
ok, I tried to get him out of the tank sunday and no luck, so I figured to watch him to see if he improves with the water change.....that seems to have worked....he has grown back a little bit of the fins and seems to be fine and looks 10 times better....with still some scrapes that look like they are healing..so should I still try to take him out or let him heal?
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