Fish Baths Information

[Carl]

I have updated the "Aquarium Answers" article dealing with Fish Baths.

Besides a major change of layout, I also placed more emphasis in the Important Tips section for the reader to best understand how to be as successful as possible.

www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2009/07/fish-baths.html

Carl

[Carl]

I have updated the "Aquarium/Pond Answers" article about Fish Baths, Dips, & Swabs

Here is a quote from the "Swabs" section
"Another alternative to a straight Methylene Blue swab would be the application of Hikari's Bio Bandage, which contains Methylene Blue along with Neomycin.
This product with its adhesion agents in an isotonic aqueous solution is excellent for mild to moderate sores or mild fin damage, however it should not be used or at least be the only product used for serious advanced infections. For serious infections such as advanced cases of Columnaris/Sadddleback Disease, a swab with Potassium Permanganate (as discussed a bit later in the article) should be performed, then follow a couple hours later with Bio Bandage."

Reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2009/07/fish-baths.html

Carl

[Carl]

I further updated the Aquarium Answers Fish Baths, Dips, Swabs article

Here is another quote from the swabs section:
"
Another better yet swab, is a combination using Methylene Blue and Maracyn Plus (Sulfamethazine and Trimethoprim). While at the same time using SeaChem StressGuard in the aquarium.
We suggest two equal parts of Maracyn Plus and Methylene Blue mixed together.
This combination can work very well based on the mix of ingredients (we are currently performing controlled tests on this as well)"

Reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2009/07/fish-baths.html#dips

Carl

[Deleted]

Hi Carl,

I ordered two new-to-me Kordon products for fish baths. One is a preventative for new fish and the other aids in healing sick fish.

Fish Prep
www.kordon.com/kordon/products/organic-herbal-preventatives-and-treatments-2/new-fish-prep
"FISH-PREP is a proprietary blend of therapeutic and calming oils with aloe vera."

Fish Therapy
www.kordon.com/kordon/products/organic-herbal-preventatives-and-treatments-2/fish-therapy
"FISH THERAPY is a proprietary blend of natural therapeutic oils including a calming oil and aloe vera."

I wasn't able to find them both on any online retail site - but they are both available through Home Grown Ponics:
www.homegrownponics.com/
Baths are for 15 minutes in one gallon of water. The ingredients are a secret (smile). I am wondering if the ingredients are the same - with a higher concentration in one (Fish Prep takes two teaspoons for one gallon while Fish Therapy is one teaspoon for one gallon).

The all natural Prevent Ich, Ich Attack and Rid Fungus - all seem to be the same treatment (active ingredient Naphthoquinone 5%)-- all look and smell the same (a dark brown). I did use Prevent Ich and Ich Attack (still have a bottle of Ich Attack) before I used Microbe-Lift Herbtana (and liked Herbtana better).

I will let you folks know what I think of these products after I have used them for a while.

Judy

[Carl]

These seem like they may be good products!

Knowing the ingredients would be helpful, if only to know what their limitations are, since we already know both the positives and an limitations of Methylene Blue.

Frankly, any new fish or preventative used as a bath or dip should have Methylene Blue since it is a hemoglobin transfer agent and is especially helpful in stress brought on by transfer with almost no side affect when used as a bath/dip

As for Prevent Ich, Ich Attack and Rid Fungus, this is common of Kordon to re-package the same product under different names. Since Naphthoquinones can work for many problems in fish, I do not see a problem with this
We note this in our Aquarium Medications article Part 4:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumMedication4.html

Carl

[Carl]

I found out the active ingredients are:
Therapeutic Oils: Citrus, Lavender, Neem, and Aloe Vera

No Methylene Blue.

This still may be useful in the same way Kordon Ich Attack can be a viable alternative to more traditional treatments.

However is a fish is suffering from pH shock, ammonia poisoning, or a known disease I would likely not use the product.

Our distributor is has these in stock and we should get the Fish Therapy version in the next order in a few weeks
We will also ask if our aquarium maintenance company has used it yet too

Carl

[Carl]

I have once more updated the popular "Aquarium/Pond Answers" article dealing with fish baths

Here is a snip from the article:
"
The salt (regular salt; NaCl) can be increased for difficult treatments (such as Columnaris), especially with salt tolerant fish such as livebearers.
It is best to slowly add dissolved salt to increase levels gently in salt amounts over 3 teaspoons per gallon, even in salt tolerant fish.
Generally for most fish (even catfish based on University of Florida studies) 2 teaspoons per gallon can be tolerated for up to 30 minutes (many fish can tolerate 4 teaspoons per gallon), although if unsure about your fish’ tolerance, gradually add the salt via a dissolved solution during the first half of the bath.

Epsom salts (Magnesium Sulfate) are useful for baths in either fresh or saltwater where internal issues are suspected, including constipation and lack of appetite. This said, Epsom salts are generally not enough alone and other more specific medications will need to be added to the bath (read further in this article, including references/resources)."

Reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2009/07/fish-baths.html

Carl

[Carl]

I have further updated the "aquarium/Pond Answers" Fish Bath article

Here is an excerpt:
"Performing a Fish Bath

A bath can be performed in as little as 1 quart of water, in a 1 gallon Rubbermaid (or similar) container or a small BARE tank. Generally the larger the better since it is easier to maintain dissolved oxygen levels and figure out the amounts of medication (if used) in larger containers
If I use a 1 quart container, I would use 1/4 teaspoon of salt and several drops of MB (I also recommend rubber gloves and old towels, rags, paper, etc spread around since Methylene Blue is messy and stains).

The schedule is generally 20-30 minutes at least once per day, twice if the fish will tolerate this frequency.

For freshwater I would add Methylene Blue at double normal tank treatment strength (as per bottle instructions) then add salt (NaCl) at about 1 teaspoon per gallon.
With the Premium AAP 5% solution "MethyBlu" (recommended), this means 2 drops per gallon
Epsom Salts can also be used too at 1/4 teaspoon per gallon in baths used for treatment, especially in cases of bloat, water retention, selling, etc. This salt should be pre-dissolved prior to introduction of fish to prevent burning of gills.

The salt (regular salt; NaCl) can be increased for difficult treatments (such as Columnaris), especially with salt tolerant fish such as livebearers.
It is best to slowly add dissolved salt to increase levels gently in salt amounts over 3 teaspoons per gallon, even in salt tolerant fish.
Generally for most fish (even catfish based on University of Florida studies) 2 teaspoons per gallon can be tolerated for up to 30 minutes (many fish can tolerate 4 teaspoons per gallon), although if unsure about your fish’ tolerance, gradually add the salt via a dissolved solution during the first half of the bath.

Epsom salts (Magnesium Sulfate) are useful for baths (I do not recommend even short term use in the main display aquarium) in either fresh or saltwater where internal issues are suspected, including constipation and lack of appetite. This said, Epsom salts are generally not enough alone and other more specific medications will need to be added to the bath (read further in this article, including references/resources)."



Carl