Rapid Respiration? Need safe bath treatment

[Deleted]

Greetings Carl/All,

Carl, I know you have detailed information on your site -- and I will go back and search that (so you can have a pass on this one -- smile).

A few days ago, I did a Google search for - Rapid Respiration freshwater fish - and yes, AAP came up in the search - but so did a forum that had a member who dumped medication after medication into her tank, poisoning her fish. All of the responses were way off target - many dumping more medication. I do know that this is a common problem when there is ammonia in the water - That definitely is NOT the case with my fish... I did stress them, though and I know what I did that stressed them, so won't go in to all of that here. The short story, I used General Cure in my 20 gallon to treat one fish and shouldn't have (the hospital tank has other fish right now). I had fish death before when I used that (General Cure) and API assured me it wasn't their medication. I switched to Hikari Prazi Pro for internal parasites, but.... the fish I put in there I suspected of having gill flukes and General Cure did help with that (for yellow rainbowfish in the past). Yes, the yellow rainbow is better (yeah!) - but I had some mystery deaths of Celebes rainbows that showed NO signs of illness prior to General Cure. I lost one of my Pygmy rainbows over the weekend, but he was the weakest from the start (and I won't go into all of that now how I treated him to get him better).

So... My question? What is a medication free bath that might help a fish with rapid respiration? What is a medication free treatment for the tank? The other three Pygmy rainbows look fine - eating very well - active - color good, but still have rapid respiration. Once I get answers here, I will compile a post for another forum to which I belong.... and will say, "a friend told me that it might help to....." Deal?
Do not include "do a water change" as part of your solution.... That isn't it.

My General Cure was close to its expiration date, so I have tossed it (wrapped the box in sealed plastic bag and put in trash)....and won't buy more.

Now don't take offense... I am at the "leap of faith" stage.... praying for God to take care of my fish (smile)... It has worked in the past, so don't knock it. But, God can use some help here... Post your suggestions for Safe Bath Treatments. 

I have ordered Wonder Shells, but don't have those yet. I did put a dose of Seachem Fresh Trace into the water.

I worked hard yesterday to earn respect on that other forum (I answered every request that had not received an answer)....so now, I will be developing my own posts for treatments and prevention to help newcomers to that forum. 

Thanks in advance -- and NO Rush.... 

Judy D

[Carl]

Assuming no gill flukes, the best bath would have a medication in it and that would be Methylene Blue.
Methylene Blue is a scientifically proven hemoglobin transfer agent. I also helpd counteract causes of gill damage and thus rapid respiration such as ammonia poisoning.

Unfortunately often gills are permanately damaged and there is no cure for this as even MB often is only a temporary fix when gills are permanately burned/scarred.

Please reference the Methylene Blue section of the Aquarium Medications Part 3 article for more in depth information and explanations
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumMedication3.html#methylene_blue

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Yes, MB.

"Medicated Baths using Methylene Blue can increase oxygen in the blood and quickly remedy ammonia, nitrite, and especially nitrate poisoning (in this order of effectiveness too with ammonia poisoning the least effective and nitrates the most effective)."

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

[Deleted]

Thanks! I have been thinking about getting some Kordon's Methylene Blue. I just needed a reason.
How stable is the product? Shelf life?

>> Unfortunately often gills are permanently damaged

Well... my assumption must be right. Fish gills were damaged in shipping to the store. The fish are on the truck too long. This store gets the fish after they have been on the truck for hours on the way back to the company. I don't know what, if anything, they use to detox the ammonia in the bags.

At no time was there ammonia (or nitrites) in my aquarium - nor were nitrates too high.

When I buy fish, I take a five gallon bucket with me (that has a loose lid so fish don't jump out) - lots of oxygen.

I don't blame myself for losing the one Pygmy...I know I stressed the tank out using the medication. When I bought these, I did return one of the Pygmy rainbows to the store as it was still under "14 day guarantee" as it was not improving (rapid respiration and clamped fins - but was still eating). The one that died is the one that had gotten better. I had it for several months. So not beating myself up.

[Deleted]

Just ordered a bottle of Kordon's Methylene Blue. I know I won't get an outdated/old product you AAP!
When I get the bottle, and if it doesn't have an expiration date, I can find out from Kordon's how long it is safe to use.

[Carl]

Oct 7, 2014 11:11:36 GMT -5 @judy4fish said:

Just ordered a bottle of Kordon's Methylene Blue. I know I won't get an outdated/old product you AAP!
When I get the bottle, and if it doesn't have an expiration date, I can find out from Kordon's how long it is safe to use.

THANKS!

See this section from the Aquarium Medications article "Best Used By or Expiration Dates for Medications & Fish Foods":

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Medication.html#expiration

Here is a snip:
Despite common belief, 95% of medications AND Fish Foods are still quite effective well past their expiration/best used by dates printed on packages (generally an antibiotic is at least 90% + effective 6-12 months after said date).
The exception is Tetracycline Hydrochloride which can become toxic past its expiration date, although even then it takes well over a year for this to happen (generally years).

These “dates” are in part made by regulations (often under false assumptions) as well as companies which manufacture these products who know when you discard a medication, you will likely purchase a replacement.
Either way, neither reason is based on good science which includes many studies, as well as my own multiple controlled tests over the years.

Carl

[Deleted]

You're the best!.... the US Post Office is going to like me.... all of these small packages coming to my house.
I will just be "Preaching the Choir" though as my wonderful results/success will only be posted here.

...and best of you, you folks "like me". I had fun opening my email account and seeing all of those likes.

I am well stocked on other products.... When I get low, I will check here first to see if you have them in stock.

Cheers!