Medications

[Crookster]

I'd like to know peoples opinions on using medication to treat illness to fish.

I've been told by my lfs, that anyone who knows about fish uses a salt soloution to treat illness and parasites. I've also contacted a discus breeder who told me the same thing. Fortunately I've only ever had to use salt once and it worked almost instantly.

The obvious benefits to not using meds is that your not risking wiping out your filter and it's cheaper.

Now I understand that some disease can't be treated this way, but personally I would rather give the salt a try first b4 I risk using any meds. I've heard so many horror stories about them the most recent from silver on this forum.

What do you all do?

 

[rvm]

I have also heard this, but if you have plecs (and other fish I believe) then you cannot use salt, so I have to stick with meds!!

 

[Magnolia_360]

Don't use salt with any scaleless fish.

 

[Crookster]

Don't use salt with any scaleless fish.

Why?

 

[Magnolia_360]

I forgot I think it burns them or somehting similar to that.

 

[rvm]

So that puts out clown loaches as well then, probably one of the most popular community fish!!

 

[Tempestuousfury]

A salt solution might work in certain cases and certain books I've read say the same thing. However, there is never a cure-all, so don't count on salts too much.

The best thing to do is to keep meds in case of emergencies. Try using the salts first, and if the disease(s) clear up, great. If not, you'll have the meds on hand.

Salt baths and adding salt to tanks is just adding electrolytes. It's like Melafix--it's only a "tonic" as another member called it.

Use what works for you, but keep emergency meds on hand.

 

[Crookster]

The best thing to do is to keep meds in case of emergencies. Try using the salts first, and if the disease(s) clear up, great. If not, you'll have the meds on hand.

That's what I do, thankfully I've never had to use medication yet but it's still relatively early days, I've had fish for about 8 months now. Thanks for the feedback.

Does anyone know if that thing about scaleless fish is true, and if so why?

 

[Tempestuousfury]

100% true.

It irritates their skin because they're not protected by the scales.

 

[heresmike]

Does anyone know if that thing about scaleless fish is true, and if so why?

That depends on who you ask... I've never seen anything about not using salt on cory's other than in forums. In fact, some in this forum say it's OK. Some in other forums say it's a myth that you shouldn't use salt. I've used it on my tank with cory's for a limited amount of time w/o any visible signs of negative impact.

Maybe someone can provide some links on the subject?

 

[Crookster]

Fish doc

The above link gives a very brief rundown on different treatments. Salt is at the bottom of the page.

Any links with more info would be appreciated though.

 

[Nidge]

Disease list
This is a very handy site

 

[heresmike]

Fish doc

The above link gives a very brief rundown on different treatments. Salt is at the bottom of the page.

Any links with more info would be appreciated though.

Good link crookster!

I didn't see anything in the 'salt' section that warns against using it on corydoras. So I still don't know if that's true, or just a myth! I'm leaning towards 'myth' since I and others I know have used salt with cories w/o problems.

Unless someone can provide evidence it's not a myth???

 

[Crookster]

I've used salt once and I have cories and there were no problems so I think it must be a myth.

I'm just not sure about or plecs or clown loaches as I didn't have either at the time. I'm going to animal house in Batley this weekend, I'll ask there and let you all know what they say.

 

[Tropjunky]

well i'm not against medication but i say if ur gonna use it then use the right one make shure it works and try other methods b4 u use medication.