Treating ammonia poisoning?

[CoreyK]

Recently, a piece of uneaten shrimp in my brackish tank caused an ammonia spike and I believe my two Figure 8 puffers and knight goby have ammonia poisoning - they're hanging out at the surface, which is unusual behavior for them (especially the goby), seem to have heavy breathing, possibly inflamed gills, etc.
I've been doing water changes daily and the water parameters are good now, but the fish are still lethargic and won't eat. Though they are interested in food, they spit it all out, almost as if they can't swallow it. I imagine it may be due to tissue damage by ammonia.

Is there anything I can do to treat ammonia poisoning?
Would melafix help if there are damaged tissues?

Any advice is appreciated,
thanks.

 

[apayan]

I just checked my melafix bottle and the only thing it said near what you would need is that it is used to control tissue degradation. This makes sense as it is really just an antibiotic for gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Unless your fish have contracted something when they were susceptible during the ammonia spike, then I wouldn't dose a DT like that and ruin your biological filter. Then again if you had them in a QT then I would say what do you really have to loose.

 

[billsreef]

Ammonia poisoning does indeed cause tissue damage. The only real treatment is to correct water conditions as soon as possible, and hopefully before irreversible damage. At this point I would not subject the fish to any medication, but do watch closely for any secondary infections and treat as necessary.

 

[screwsloose]

i agree with billsreef. when ammonia or nitrite build up in the tank the fishes immune system kicks in and builds slime coat and mucas to combat the toxins. even though the water quality is good now they are having a problem breathing form the build up. melafix or pimafix exhaust o2 levels in a tank quick so adding it could be fatal at this point. i would dose the tank with sea chems "prime" to detoxify any traces of ammonia that is left and give them a day or two to get back to normal. increase surface agitation for better o2 saturation and get them eating again asap. good luck.