Is this the right medication???

rockieroad

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Apr 28, 2007
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I am asking this question in the general freshwater forum hoping to get more responses and or suggestions regarding my sick fish. About a week ago I wrote a message regarding my oranda having a small fluffy white patch above it's mouth. I had a fish die from the same thing about a year and a half ago (which I never treated). However, I'm trying my best to save my last oranda (I started with 3). She' still eating and actively swimming, the only problem is this fluffy patch. It was suggested to me by a few people here to try maracyn and maroxy, which I have been treating her both with for 5 days now and it appears that the growth is just getting bigger. Is this normal or is this cause for concern? Or is it supposed to fall off, shrink or disappear. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Rockieroad:girl:
 
I wouldn't have treated with the maroxy at all. I would use Marcayn and Maracyn 2 for in water medications. If the fish is still eating and acting fine, I would try Medi-Gold, first, before starting any water meds. If the fish is eating, that is the most effective way to get meds in them, and it doesn't mess up your bio filtration.

Most times, it's not fungal, it's bacterial, although it's hard to tell without seeing it. What you describe sounds like mouth rot/flex. So, I would treat with the food, or both Maracyn antibiotics. Using one is only treating for gram positive bacteria, and many fish problems are gram negative. Using both makes it a broad spectrum antibiotic.
 
Thanks alot for your suggestions. So I should discontinue use of the maroxy and just use the maracyn and tye maracyn two? I couldn't find any medi-gold when I went to Petsmart yesterday. I need to find who sells this product. Also what kind of results should I see after administering medication? Will the fungus shrink, fall off, or disappear?

Also, should I do a water change while giving my fish the maracyn and the maracyn two? It's been a week now, and my water levels are normal. My last water change was right before adding the medication 5 days ago. So to be clear medi-gold is just as effective as the maracyn? Or do I give it along with the maracyn/maracyn two?

Thanks so much for all suggestions.

Rockieroad:girl:
 
First, the Maracyn alone should be fine- it is basically Erythromycin, generic EM will work as well.

Second, did you remove any carbon from the filter(s)?

If the problem is not responding to the the recommended label dose of 1 tablet per 10 gals of water, then up the dose by 50%. I suggest use of a hospital tank to hold down the cost of dosing- less water = fewer tablets.

If you use an H tank, it need not be cycled. It will need a heater and a small airstone. Do a 25% water change every other day. Do the water change prior to dosing that day's meds. If you have a few plastic plants, put them in so the fish feels less stressed.
 
Aeromonas, another gram-negative bacterium ubiquitous to one’s tank, often infects a Flexibacter-infected fish at the same time (secondary bacterial infection) and is thought to be the cause of death in many cases of Flexibacter infection. Therefore, treatment should also be aimed at this bacterium. If you are already using kanamycin (Kanacyn) in the water to treat the Flexibacter, it will also treat the Aeromonas. If you are alternatively using either erythromycin (plain Maracyn) or tetracycline, then treat simultaneously with minocycline (Maracyn-Two) for the Aeromonas. Both kanamycin and minocycline are antibiotics, which are considered not to be harmful to the biological filter, but at high dosages, kanamycin can harm the bio filter.

http://www.flippersandfins.net/flexibacter.htm
 
typically white fluffy material may be attributed to bacterial infections..the problem is trying to determine which bacteria it is.
bacteria can either be gram positive or gram negative..maracyn and maracyn II are actually designed so they canbe used together and will cover most bacteria.

maracyn II can be used in double strength dose at the initial dosing then use std dose as directed.

the issue at hand is how will it affect the biological bacteria we use in out tanks.

you should keep an eye on the water parameters to stay on top of any negative effect the meds may have on the bio filter.
 
Use either the Medigold or both Maracyns. If you do find the Medigold, don't use it at the same time as the Maracyn.

Water changes should be performed as often as it takes to keep your water perfect. If you're having any swings, do a water change before adding the next dose.
 
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