Meds?

[JenniferLynn]

I’m very attached to my fish now and don’t want anything to happen to them so I’m going to ask this question before I have a problem.

What meds should someone that lives very rurally have on hand for meds? I have a bottle of Melafix and aquarium salt that I bought when my first goldfish got sick but at that point it didn’t help him. I can’t just run to a LFS for meds because Wal-Mart doesn’t have anything besides what I now have and the next is about 150 miles one way. I don’t know that I would be able to make an all day trip to get meds and that could be too late for the fish. That considered I think I need to have something at home that could treat anything the fish are likely to have a problem with before I have a problem because if I wait by the time I get meds it won’t do the fish any good. I’m going to do an online order soon and though I should get something and add it to my shopping list but I’m not sure what would be best. I’m also a little afraid of the meds because of the Melafix didn’t help the last fish and I don’t want to add anything to the tank that could kill a sick fish because the label said all sorts of good things that don’t work. Thanks for your help.

[msjinkzd]

The problem is its hard to predict what you might need, and meds expire. I keep maracyn and maracyn 2, metronidazole, and salt on hand. I have only ever had to use teh salt. The best thing to do to protect the fish you have is quarantine any new fish for one month of health.

[avionics30]

Can you tell us about yuor fish and your tank setup in detail? That would be a big help. Thanks!

[JenniferLynn]

I have 3 goldfish (black moore, 2 fantails) currently only 3 inches long in smaller tank. After Christmas we will have 55 gal or over to grow into with sm tank for hospital tank. I freaked out this morning when I thought I saw something on my calico fantail but he was moving...by the time I got a good look and knew it was just his normal spots I was thinking my fish drawer needed something to treat an infection in case one of them does get hurt. Did an extra CW just because it made me feel better and gave me more time to really look them over. I've had everyone in the tank for just over two months so I'm not worried about something that would be introduced to the tank but injuries and possible infection. I'd rather have meds I never use and have to replace than to loose fish because I life too far away from a LFS.

Thanks msjinkzd I'm so attached to my guys I would rather not have any additional fish if I couldn't quarantine them for at least a month. Which I'll have be able to do if I get the 125 I've been watching. Just have to hope no one else is looking at it thinking Christmas..It would be lots of room for just 3 little fish:) They might get friends after a long stay in qt.

[6.5x55]

I recently rescued a tank that had two big raphael cats in it. One had died unnoticed and gone totally mushy. The tank stank to high heaven, the pH was about 4 and hadn't had a watter change for ages.

I removed the dead one and did a 50% water change. The remaining cat had opaque eyes and his barbels were starting to erode. He held on and after a few days, I did another water change, added some bicarb to help lower the pH and vacuumed some of the gravel. He was moving around after a few days so I cleaned out the filter (sponges in aquarium water), really vac'd all the gravel and did another water change and cleaned the glass.

Now, a month later, his barbels are back, his eyes are clear and he really comes out at night to hoover up catfish pellets.

Meds used? None :).

Good conditions and clean water will heal most fish. Exposing them to toxic chemicals can, IMHO, only add to existing stress in a fish.

Not that I'm arguing with you Jinksy, I'm new here and don't want to get chucked off the board yet :D.

[JenniferLynn]

Thank you for that story...I'm a nut about clean water and preventative ideas. So that makes me feel better. Honestly I'd rather never have a problem with them if I can prevent it by feeding right and keeping clean. But I can't completly prevent the chance of injury after all there is more than one fish :) And when I get the new tank (fingers crossed) 125 gal has room for more fish and I don't know if we'll have any disputes when I get that far. And I know that 'help is too far away to help' if I have a problem and if just clean water doesn't work I want a Plan B to not loose them.

[msjinkzd]

I agree that clean water is the best medicine. The point of my post was that the best way to prevent your treasured fish from getting sick is don't expose them to things that can make them sick (qt new fish).

[tonytheboss1]

:) You've got a valid point 6.5x55. Clean water is the best preventive medicine we can give our fish. Sadly every now & then some type of bacterial or parasitic infestation is encountered. The proper use of some medicines might be the difference between life & death. Some are more general & topical like your PimaFix & MelaFix. Some are a bit stronger & specialized like Furan2, Maracyn, Maracyn2, Cupramine ect. All need administering in proper doseages for specific problems. That being said, understanding when & when not to medicate can sometimes be tricky. Having what you need on hand can be a good thing.

JenniferLynn bear in mind that the shelf life on these products vary as well as their uses. If it expires, toss it & get more. Just like products in your medicine cabinet, they need to be checked & replaced.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4615+4743&pcatid=4743

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/cat/info/22950/off/0/_page/1/sortby/1/category.web

Remember, directions are there to be followed. Not sure where Page is exactly but my cuz in Phoenix swears by this place http://aquatouch.com/ Good luck, "T"

[JenniferLynn]

I'm a believe in clean water and qt. I'd rather prevent anything from happening but I think I'm going to go ahead and keep a current stock of Maracyn and Maracyn2 in case anything happens. Thank you for reminding me to keep checking the dates...I don't want to have to use meds but in reality I'd rather have them than have a sick fish not getting better and have to wait at least a day to be able to have meds if not longer. On a day like today with a snow storm I wouldn't even be able to make it to a store with meds...Thank you for the help:) I've worked in animal care before just not fish and I used to be an EMT...I'm careful with my meds.

BTW Page is roughly in the middle of no where along the UT border and I actually don't even live in a town. Very rural is where directions are given with mile markers and dirt roads ;)

[tonytheboss1]

BTW Page is roughly in the middle of no where along the UT border and I actually don't even live in a town. Very rural is where directions are given with mile markers and dirt roads ;)

:lol::lol: I hear ya!! I'm an 'ole' trucker so mile markers are right up my alley. Checked my maps & I know exactly where you are now & you're right, there's not a whole lot close by. It must have been about 20yrs. ago I run a load of copper wire outta 'Flag' (Flagstaff) up to Bitter Springs. Highway 89 is the only way to go w/ 75,000lbs in dead winter. (it was one of the loooongest hundred mile trips I've ever turned!!):)
Having some essentials on hand is definitely a good idea. Good luck, "T"

[JenniferLynn]

You know what the trip would be like then but in good weather I'm another hour from Bitter Springs...and it's just as long going the other way for supplies. I love it but sometimes it's a pain in the tush when you need something in a hurry. Second day shipping doesn't happen when your out this far...even over night is usually 3 days:silly: