I have read in many forums about having a fish medicine cabinet, to be prepared for emergencies, I was wondering what everyone would suggest, in terms of products and medications that you should have on hand just in case there is a problem.
being prepared
- Thread starter crazydanios
- Start date
I actually don't suggest buying ahead, as I can get most anything pretty quick, but here is what I have around so far: Table Salt, Melafix, Metrodonizale, and Praziquantel in the form of Jungle Parasite Clear. This covers Ich, internal parasites, certain external parasites like flukes, anchor worm, etc. The Melafix is a homepathic remedy. Most people that use it make some pretty miraculous claims... I simply have it because I have heard from enough people to think it can help recovery time from torn or rotted fins.
I keep a few things on hand, some are things I think are essential, others are left over from previous treatments.
Salt - Kosher, pickling, table or aquarium (NaCl). Since Ich seems to be one of the most common illnesses in FW tanks, it's a good idea to always have some salt around.
MelaFix - Useful for mild bacterial infections, torn fins, minor wounds.
Metronidazole - This is an effective medicaton for intestinal flagellates like Hexamita and is also a mild antibacterial. It works best internally, I mix it with food. I've read that some discus breeders use this medication routinely in their quarantine tanks.
Clove oil I keep some on hand for euthanizing fish that are too sick to save.
That's it. If an antibacterial or antifungal medication is needed, I'd buy it when you need it - medications expire quickly, and certain conditions need very specific medications. If you're going to keep something on hand for bacterial/fungal infections, I'd get Kanacyn - it treats gram positive and gram negative bacteria and some fungi.
Salt - Kosher, pickling, table or aquarium (NaCl). Since Ich seems to be one of the most common illnesses in FW tanks, it's a good idea to always have some salt around.
MelaFix - Useful for mild bacterial infections, torn fins, minor wounds.
Metronidazole - This is an effective medicaton for intestinal flagellates like Hexamita and is also a mild antibacterial. It works best internally, I mix it with food. I've read that some discus breeders use this medication routinely in their quarantine tanks.
Clove oil I keep some on hand for euthanizing fish that are too sick to save.
That's it. If an antibacterial or antifungal medication is needed, I'd buy it when you need it - medications expire quickly, and certain conditions need very specific medications. If you're going to keep something on hand for bacterial/fungal infections, I'd get Kanacyn - it treats gram positive and gram negative bacteria and some fungi.
I would be leary of keeping things on hand unless you live in an area where you can't make a trip up to your LFS or chain if need be. If it doesn't have an expiration date you may forget when you bought it, and wasted money on stuff that is no longer good when you need it!! I do have melafix, and an antibacterial sort of stuff, but only because I unfortunately needed them!!