medicine cabinet recommendations

[shel3702]

I did some searches on RC regarding QTs and procedures and read a lot of good info. I'm going to purchase some medicines/treatments and I'm wondering what you suggest. From my reading, I understand that these three things might be important for clownfish:

Piperazine
Levamisole
Metronidazole

I've been looking in Drs. Foster & Smith and Marine Depot, but haven't really found anything like this.

So, what is suggested for my medicine cabinet, and where can I get these type of medicines/treatments?

BTW, I have shrimp, hermit crabs, two corals, and a serpant star, and I plan on more corals and clownfish. I do have a QT and of course would use that for the medicines.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[bertoni]

I would try in the fish forum for product names for these medicines. Personally, I don't tend to keep anything on hand because I've never gotten a sick fish, and I would worry about expiration dates.

 

[Pandora]

If you were really intent on this idea... here's my thoughts...

I'd probably go with praziquantel over pip & leva, for internal parasites. I believe there's more anecdotal stories of how this has been less harsh on biological filtration.

The results of flagyl (metranidazole) on HLLE are from what I last heard... still mixed. I don't think it treats all cases that successfully. But I guess it's not too bad a choice to have on hand if you had some.

I would have at least one broad spectrum antibiotic on hand. Bacterial problems/secondary skin infections aren't uncommon after fish are sick/stressed from other things. Tetracycline is not a bad choice, IMHO.

I don't think the medicine cabinet is such a bad idea, but with the way I am, I'm always thinking preventive medicine first. I don't think a lot of people who QT and are careful really encounter things like internal parasites very often.

If you are interested in getting other thoughts, leebca in the disease forum is a microbiologist and very knowledgeable about the subject of fish medications.

PS: on brand names, a few of them are not commo, but you can get things like praziquantal on amazon.com, and at the vet as a dog dewormer. Personally I wouldn't go to the trouble until I have a problem. An antibiotic to have on hand might not be a bad idea, however. Tetracycline is sold at most LFS; alternatively, you can look for Maracyn.

 

[shel3702]

Thank you very much Bertoni and Pandora. I have read up on getting new clownfish and I would like to have these I listed on hand for when they go into their initial quarantine period. I would only use these medicines in quarantine, not my main tank. Also, I already have some Maracyn, Maracyn 2, etc. on hand as I have had good experience with the same Mardel products' freshwater applications...I bought some of each for saltwater. I will do more research; thanks again for the info.

 

[bertoni]

http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/

That site might be useful.