Treatments
Most of the time only one of two
fish in an aquarium at any given time show signs of an advanced case of
bacterial infection. However, if the environmental conditions in the aquarium
are poor enough, it can severely effect all of the fish. In this case it
is best to treat all of the fish in a QT and give the aquarium a major
cleaning overhaul. This, as well as adding a UV sterilizer can sometimes
help to prevent the perpetuation or reoccurrence of the same problem in
the future.
Many bacteria are naturally resistant to specific drugs, so using the proper type of antibiotic is of the utmost importance. For example, gram-positive bacteria are often unaffected by tetracycline and streptomycin, while gram-negative bacteria may be unaffected by ampicillin, penicillin, erythromycin and sulfa drugs. Some bacteria may also be unaffected by the usual dose, but are susceptible to a higher dose.
Here is another good example. Mardel Laboratories makes Mayacin and Mayacin 2. Mayacin is erythromycin based and is a gram-positive bacteria treatment. Mayacin 2 is mincycline hydrochlor based and is a gram-negative bacteria treatment, as well as sufficiently absorbed through the skin to treat internal infections. Since most bacteria that cause disease in marine fish are gram-negative, and can quickly become systemic, Mayacin 2 would be the most effective choice.
You have to take into consideration that you will not be able to determine the exact type of bacteria you are dealing with, mutated strains can be produced, and both bacteria might be present. Broad spectrum antibiotics, ones that kill both gram-negative and positive bacteria, such as neomycin, chloramphenicol, nitrofurazone based products, skin absorbed kanamycin sulfate based antibiotics such as Kanacyn/K-Mycin, and secondly tetracycline, are usually effective treatments. Aquatronics makes an ultra-wide spectrum antibiotic blend of nitrofurazone and kanamycin called Spectrogram that may suit your needs. If after a few days of using a particular antibiotic there appears to be no or little improvement in the health of the fish, try another one. These are just a few of the many available products on the market, so do your research to insure that the medications you choose are safe to use in conjunction with each other, if you decide to mix them.
The over use of antibiotics for treating fish is the same as with people. The repeated or continued use of antibiotics creates selection pressure favoring the growth of antibiotic-resistant mutants. Our advice is not to use antibiotics as a cure-all treatment whenever you feel the fish "might" need it, but only when it is necessary.
Overall, the best method for treating bacterial infections is orally rather than topically (treating the water), or using a combination of both. Oral feeding can be accomplished by mixing an orally expectable antibiotic into some highly palatable blended frozen food. Some antibiotics have instructions for oral applications, just read the labels for information. Keep in mind that if a fish has stopped eating altogether, oral feeding is not possible and chances are its days are numbered. If you do not want to hassle with mixing your own medicated foods there are various types available that you can purchase.
Since many antibiotics kill gram-negative bacteria and the biological nitrifying bacteria of an aquarium are also gram-negative, we recommend that you do not treat the main aquarium. Whether it is a fish-only or a reef tank, a mild dose of antibiotics can greatly weaken the biological growth, a strong dose may kill it all together, while invertebrates and marine algae may be killed off or affected as well. If you are compelled to use these or any other medications to treat the main aquarium, beware!
The bottom line is whatever type of medication you use, make sure you are get one that will treat the ailment you are dealing with. Follow the recommended dosages and directions for use on the product labels, and when in doubt, consult with your local fish store professional for assistance.
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