who has used Methalyene blue and for what

[Chicago]

Just wondering who has used this and for what.

Do you use it as a constant in your QT like some of the larger stores for QT?

 

[Paul B]

I sometimes use it with my live blackworms, supposedly it helps them absorb oxygen better, but I doubt it. I have also used it with fish eggs to help keep fungus off them.
It does one thing very well, stain everything.

 

[Mrscribbled]

Only time I use it is during acclimation, helps relax the fish. As far as in a quarantine I see no added benefit.

 

[Chicago]

I know of some stores that use it.. I have been told retailers use it as QT. some report uses for ick although not the preferred choice.

 

[cngreg]

It's an antimalarial drug related to quinine (in tonic water) and chloroquin and has another effect which was used in humans; it mitigates cyanide poisoning by returning methemoglobin (oxygen not capable of binding) back to hemoglobin. This is valuable in aquarium for fish that have been exposed to high levels of nitrite (causes methemoglobinemia) but this is less common in salt water because the chloride ion competes with nitrite for absorption into the gill. The literature hasn't demonstrated any effect of using meth blue however only a few fish species (live bearers) under a few circumstances( dense fish bags similar to a shipping scenario). I also have seen it reached for by many experienced aquaculturists and I feel like there's something that it works on that scientists aren't tuned in to. I think it's a good idea to use this during acclimation if you have it on hand.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

It's an antimalarial drug related to quinine (in tonic water) and chloroquin and has another effect which was used in humans; it mitigates cyanide poisoning by returning methemoglobin (oxygen not capable of binding) back to hemoglobin. This is valuable in aquarium for fish that have been exposed to high levels of nitrite (causes methemoglobinemia) but this is less common in salt water because the chloride ion competes with nitrite for absorption into the gill. The literature hasn't demonstrated any effect of using meth blue however only a few fish species (live bearers) under a few circumstances( dense fish bags similar to a shipping scenario). I also have seen it reached for by many experienced aquaculturists and I feel like there's something that it works on that scientists aren't tuned in to. I think it's a good idea to use this during acclimation if you have it on hand.

cngreg, have you ever heard of using it for a fish that has been exposed to ammonia for relief of "burned" gills?

 

[Chicago]

following taken from reefkeeping mag...

"Some individuals prefer to use freshwater with methylene blue in the dip (Fenner, pers. comm.- more information here). Methylene blue is an anti-microbial dye. It is effective against a wide range of microbes such as bacteria, fungus, yeast, etc. This combination works well to rid the animal of external parasites and provides some protection against secondary infections. As I stated in part one of this series, I almost always use daily water changes. These daily cleanings tend to spur the fishes' own immune system to combat any secondary infections by helping to maintain optimum water quality, so I have not felt the need for using Methylene blue, but it is a worthwhile option to consider."