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AQUARIUM MEDICATIONS & TREATMENTS INTRODUCTION (Home) TRICHLORFON (Dylox) Dimethyl (2,2,2,Trichloro-1-Hydroxyethyl) Phosphonate:  Trichlorfon is an Organophosphate and degrades rapidly (approximately 99% of applied degraded in 2 hours) in alkaline pond water (pH 8.5) at room temperature. But remains stable in the same pond water held under acidic (pH 5.0) conditions for 2 hours.Trichlorfon is very highly toxic to invertebrates. DO NOT USE ON FISH THAT ARE CHEMICALLY SENSITIVE such as: Silver Dollars, Rays, Bala Sharks, Arowanas, Tinfoil Barbs, Hemodias, Piranha, Most Silver Scaled Fish, Marine sharks, Lion Fish. See methylene blue if Dylox treatment is not available or viable USE: Trichlorfon is useful for treatment of: Hydra, Lernia (Anchor Worms), Parasitic Copepods, Monodigenetic and Digenetic Flukes, Fish Lice (Argulus), Leeches CLOUT contains Trichlorfon (Dimethyl (2,2,2,Trichloro-1-Hydroxyethyl) Phosphonate), as well as; 4-[P-(dimethylamino)-O-phenylbenzylidene]-2, 5-cyclohexadien-1-xylidene dimethylammonium chloride, 1,2,dimethyl-5-nitroimidazole DOSAGE: There is no recommended dosage (other than Freshwater fish acute toxicity= 1.6-180 ppm), refer to manufacturers directions for all products containing Trichlorfon. Treat again in 14 days to kill new hatchings of Anchor worms. INTERNAL PARASITE MEDICATIONS; Piperazine, Praziquantel, and Levamisol Piperazine: USE: Piperazine is an organic compound used as an anti-parasitic in veterinary medicine, primarily for worms. Piperazine works through anthelmintic action (used to expel or destroy parasitic worms in the gastro-intestinal tract). Their mode of action is generally by paralysing parasites, which allows the host body to easily remove or expel the invading organism. This action is mediated by its agonist effects upon the inhibitory GABA (the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate central nervous system.) receptor. Its selectivity for worms and similar invertebrates is because vertebrates only use GABA in the Central Nervous System and a worms GABA receptor is a different isoform (A protein having the same function and similar [or identical sequence], but the product of a different gene and usually) to the vertebrate's one. This product should never be used in the presence of invertebrates as for the reasons outlined above. Piperazine aquatic uses are restricted to internal parasite control, especially intestinal worms. Piperazine is proven effective for Capillaria Nematode worms that infest the intestines of Angelfish, Discus, some other cichlids, and occasionally other aquarium species. In the aquarium the disease spreads easily from fish to fish as they consume the eggs of the worms, shed in feces of infected individuals. Piperazine is found in Prazipro, Pepso Flakes, and the now discontinued Tetra Anti-Parasite Flakes Praziquantel: Praziquantel is an anti-worm, medication. It prevents worms from growing or multiplying in the body. It is used to treat infections caused by worms. Also internal trematodes, commonly known as flukes and flatworms. This product can be used for external Flukes when safety of more effective treatments such as Trichlorfon are in question. Praziquantel is found in Jungle Internal Parasite Guard and Aquarium Products Gel Tek Medicated Food (which is a better mode of treating with this medication) Praziquantel and Levamisol are found in Jungle Medicated Parasite Food which is an excellent way to deliver this food. Levamisol: Levamisol has a wide range of anti-nematodic effects. It is efficient in destroying both adult and larvae forms of gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematode parasites in fish. It attacks parasites by causing first paralysis and then death of the parasites. Partly decomposed parasites are being eliminated during the first 24 hours since the beginning of the medicine application. Levamisole is found primarily in wormers for animals at veterinary supply houses and treated a 5 ppm. This was also found in an Aquatronics product no longer available (a good one at that); Discomed. DOSAGE: Refer to product instructions containing these medications (Do NOT use any of these in the presence of invertebrates) METHYLENE BLUE (Zinc Free) 2.303% : A heterocyclic aromatic chemical compound with molecular formula: C16H18ClN3S.  Methylene Blue is widely used a Redox indicator in chemistry. Solutions of this substance are blue when in an oxidizing environment (MB is a mild oxidizer), but will turn colorless if exposed to a reducing agent.Methylene blue is used as a medication for the treatment of methemoglobinemia. Methemoglobinemia can be caused by high nitrites (and ammonia) in the blood, which happens in fish respiration in water high in ammonia or nitrites. Methemoglobinemia is treated with the use of methylene blue, which restores the hemoglobin to its normal oxygen-carrying state. Methylene Blue is made from the anti-malarial drug, chloroquine. Malaria is a protozoan similar to the protozoan that causes ich (Ichthyophthirius multifilius) and oodinium, which is why Methylene Blue is useful for parasite and fungal treatments USE: Fungus on eggs, Ich, fungus and some bacteria. Effective in gill disease. Transports oxygen. Some protozoa, sliminess of the skin and oodinium. Great for use as a 30 minute dip at double dose. Very effective when used as a dip for topical treatment of parasites, bacterial, and fungal infections. When Dylox is not available, this can a useful treatment for anchor worm (especially in goldfish); first carefully remove the anchor worm with tweezers, then dip the affected fish in Methylene blue. When used with a UV sterilizer to kill the swimming stage of the female anchor worm (the female is the parasite), this can be an effective treatment. (Tank can also be treated with Malachite green or malachite green combination during this time for improved effectiveness). Also very useful for; *A dip for ammonia and nitrite poisoning due to Methylene Blue’s affect on Methemoglobinemia (nitrite poisoning) *For transfer of fish when moving or temporary storage of fish in crowded conditions. *Treatment of new fish arrivals in a hospital tank, again due to methylene blue’s affect on Methemoglobinemia, bacteria, and protozoa. *As a medicated bath for Dropsy or any other internal malady such as Swim Bladder problems (as MB is easily tissue absorbed). For many external infections Potassium Permanganate is sometimes a better choice for a bath. *A test for Redox Potential in aquariums, as methylene blue will lose color in a reducing environment (you can test this with some powdered Wonder Shell dissolved in water). See my article: THE REDOX POTENTIAL IN AQUARIUMS (& PONDS) AND HOW IT RELATES TO PROPER AQUATIC HEALTH DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 2.303% solution per 10 gallons every other day for 10 days with water changes before each treatment. BEST USED IN A HOSPITAL TANK. Methylene blue can destroy nitrifying bacteria and plants in the display aquarium. My preferred use of Methylene Blue is a bath. To prepare this bath I use 1 teaspoon 2.303% solution per 5 gallons (double dose) in a bath of aquarium water from the tank the fish you wish to treat came from, I usually use about a ½ gallon of water, however you may use less. Measurement of the Methylene Blue does not need to be precise as this bath should be used for about 30 minutes (although do NOT overdose). You may also add salts to your bath to improve effectiveness for certain problems when preparing baths for freshwater fish (such as swim bladder, dropsy or unknown problems). Generally I would use 1 teaspoon of sodium chloride (regular salt) per gallon and occasionally ¼ teaspoon of Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) per gallon. Make sure you keep the water in a warm area, as in a cold room the water temperature can drop rapidly which would stress the fish. Do NOT pour this water back into your display aquarium when finished. This can be performed twice per day. This bath is useful for fresh AND saltwater This bath is VERY effective for ammonia/nitrite poisoning, Swim Bladder problems, and is helpful for many other internal/systemic infections. MB baths are a good treatment when nothing else is working and/or little is known as to why as fish is acting abnormally (the MB bath does not always work, but it is a relatively safe method vs. indiscriminately dumping other medications into a display aquarium). In the case of swim bladder infection or problems the MB bath is often the only treatment required other than possible correcting diet and adding more electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, etc. to your aquarium MEBROMIN (Mebromin/ Mercurochrome): USE: A topical antiseptic and moderate oxidizer used for injuries, cuts exposed wounds (minor), and exposed multi cell parasites such as Anchor Worm. It is no longer sold in the USA because of its mercury content (although this has never been scientifically established to be a problem), but it is still available from some sites and distributed from Aquatronics. This is a great product in my experience if it can be found. Here is one web source I located: Medications at Seahorse Source ACRIFLAVIN HYDROCHLORIDE 3.84% solution: USE: An antiseptic agent for the skin and mucous membranes. It is known to inhibit mitochondriogenesis. Generally used treatment of fungal infections such as mouth fungus, fin and tail rot, fungus, saproglenia, and mild egg fungus (not as strong as Methylene Blue for egg fungus, but safer for main display tank use). Mildly effective for skin parasites such as oodinium (velvet), sliminess of skin, and ich (although a very mild treatment for ich, FW or SW). Acriflavin is effective for mild gram negative bacterial infections. DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 3.84% solution per 10 gallons every other day for 10 days. Combines well with copper sulfate and malachite green. Acriflavin is found in Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Fungus Treatment (as Neutroflavin) MALACHITE GREEN;  USE:For treatment and control of various external parasites of freshwater and marine fishes. When used as directed the medication will control or prevent the following common protozoan parasites: *Ichthyophthinus (freshwater Ich) exhibited as fine “salt like” white spots that usually first appear on the fins. *Costia (Ichthyobodo). Not to be confused with ich, is a parasite that can live dormant on healthy fish (primarily their gills), then under certain conditions (poor water conditions, stress, ECT), reproduce rapidly. Symptoms of an outbreak include Heavy and labored “breathing” flashing and rubbing, skin cloudiness caused by excess mucus. *Chilodonella, *Ambiphyra, *Cryptocaryon (marine Ich), *Epistylis, *Oodinium and Trichodina, *Plistophora (best combined with formalin at 1/2 strength) Malachite Green is also effective against common external fungal infections of fishes and eggs which include Achlya and Saprolegnia. The Malachite Green can and is occasionally used for marine ich (Crytocaryon), this is usually a poor choice for effectiveness and toxicity to many invertebrate (I have never seen fish toxicity demonstrated at normal treatment levels) DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 0.038% solution per 10 gallons every other day for 10-14 days. Or 1 drop of .50% solution per gallon every other day for 10- 14 days. 25% water changes are recommended before each dose. Use half dose for scale-less and delicate fish such as Clown Loaches and Neon Tetras. Double dose for marine aquariums. Note; Malachite green is more toxic at lower ph, and is best used with a KH of 50 and GH of 100 ppm or higher. Also it should be noted that older formulas of Malachite Green that contain high amounts of zinc are also much more toxic (most newer products have much less or 0). Medicated Wonder Shells contain Malachite Green (and other chemical treatments) in a buffered form that is ideal for mild to moderate ich infections especially where low pH, KH, & GH are a problem. Finally, as to often thrown around anecdotal comments as to the carcinogenic properties of Malachite Green, these are at best inconclusive, especially at normal therapeutic doses. This scientific research article deals with this in detail: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis studies of Malachite Green Many will site the US governments ban on Malachite Green for food fish use as proof of toxicity of Malachite Green, however this is not proof rather precautionary as the above referenced article points out that most toxic effects from MG come from vastly higher than normal doses. Please read the facts. One also might compare this to the State of California’s ban on Piranha out of fear they will accidentally find their way into lakes and reproduce, unfortunately there is absolutely no evidence for this whatsoever, yet the ban persists. Malachite Green can be combined with Formalin or Acriflavin. Quick Cure is a very effective combination of Malachite Green and Formalin Another excellent product with malachite green is: ParaGuard , ParaGuard employs a proprietary, synergistic blend of aldehydes, malachite green and fish protective polymers FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IDENTIFICATION AND TREATMENT FRESHWATER AND SALTWATER ICH FORMALIN (3% formaldehyde): USE: For treatment and control of the diseases caused by protozoan and monogenetic trematodes of freshwater and marine aquarium fishes. Formalin will control or help prevent diseases of fishes caused by the following disease organisms: *Ichthyophthirius (freshwater "ich"), *Costia (Ichthyobodo), *Chilodonella, *Ambiphyra, *Cryptocaryon (marine "ich"), *Epistylis, *Oodinium, *Amyloodinium, and *Trichodina. Formalin is also often effective against the common external fungal infections of fishes and their eggs caused by fungus (Saprolegnia). Formalin or Formalin based products can also be effective in bacterial infections, although primarily gram positive, which make up a small percentage of aquatic bacterial infections. DOSAGE: 1 teaspoon of a 3% solution per 10 gallons every other day for 10 days. Formalin combines well with malachite green and I recommend this combination for a more effective treatment. Formalin can deplete oxygen in an aquarium (or pond) with a high bio load, so consider adding an air stone or a power head with an air diffuser. Formalin can be harsh on gill tissue, so be careful to not overdose. As a bath 0.50 to 0.95 mLs per gallon (0.15 to 0.25 mLs per liter) for up to 60 minutes is an effective bath treatment (with less danger to the nitrifying bacterial bed). Formalin is more toxic in soft, acidic water so buffering the water with a KH and GH of 50 ppm and 100 ppm respectively (or higher) is recommended. Regular Wonder Shells are an effective means to buffer a freshwater aquarium. I have seen some anecdotal comments about formalin lowering dissolved oxygen levels, especially in ponds. This statement is based on a large die off minute life forms in the pond from treatment. This is incorrectly based on formalin being the only treatment that can cause this. ANY treatment that kills protozoans or other similar life forms as well as many anti-bacterials can cause similar effects when the bio load is past what the pond can support. This is no more a problem with formalin than with any other treatment in a high bio load/ plankton environment. Quick Cure is a very effective combination of Malachite Green and Formalin. A newer and in my opinion (& experience) formulation that contains a formalin product is SeaChem ParaGuard which contains a proprietary, synergistic blend of aldehydes which is less toxic than other formalin/formaldehyde formulas. The form of Formalin used in ParaGuard is the safest/most effective formalin I have used to date (also many of my colleagues have noted similar results). COPPER SULFATE:  USE: For treatment of freshwater and marine ich (Crytocaryon), Oodinium, external parasites, fungus and even algae (especially in ponds). Copper Sulfate can be very effective when used properly and carefully. Although not a first choice for freshwater ich (malachite green/formalin is generally more effective), Copper Sulfate is a very effective quarantine choice for ich and velvet prevention for new fish, especially when combined with Methylene Blue AND used in a bare (no gravel) tank. One the more effective treatments for freshwater Velvet (Piscinoodinium pillulare), as copper will attack both swimming stage and the dormant stage (as this is when the parasite uses its chloroplasts to produce nutrients, and the copper destroys these). Copper is the treatment of choice as far as effectiveness goes for Marine Ich (Crytocaryon) and Oodinium, unfortunately it cannot be used with invertebrates and often takes up to a month to remove traces from a marine display tank treated with copper before it is safe for invertebrates. For an alternative, Metronidazole has been shown to be an antibiotic that is generally effective for marine ich (although not as effective as copper and even less so against Oodinium). Copper Sulfate (such as Aquarisol) is also effective for treatment of shimmy in livebearers, especially mollies that are kept in low salt freshwater aquariums. DOSAGE: Treat according to your solution to bring your copper level to .15 -.20 ppm for oodinium (and most freshwater applications) and .20- .25 ppm for Crytocaryon. Sequestered Copper (often called chelated, but that is incorrect, chelated means inactivated) sulfate works best (citric acid help achieve this). Soluble copper salts work well in freshwater only. Please note that copper, basically kills the parasite by poisoning it more than the fish, so never overdose. Do not use with snails and other invertebrates, do not use in reef aquariums, and note; when used as an algaecide, the copper is absorbed by the algae then released when it dies. Removal of sequestered copper can be difficult, only EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acidic Acid) and water changes remove it, NOT carbon. For an effective treatment for ich, fungus, and especially Velvet, Medicated Wonder Shells are extremely for Velvet in particular as they have three of the most effective ingredients for the treatment of Velvet; Copper Sulfate, Acriflavin, & Methylene Blue. They also add electrolytes and calcium, essential for proper healing. POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE KMnO4:  The permanganate ion is a strong oxidizing agent. Potassium Permanganate added to water will give a deep purple color that will slowly turn brown/yellow as it oxidizes (the more dissolved organics, the more quickly the change of color to brown/yellow which indicates the oxidation properties are mostly spent). The strong oxidizing properties of this chemical make it useful some serious wounds where you want to “seal” the wound, such as a fish with a missing eye.USE: Being an oxidizer, Potassium Permanganate is useful for water clarification where a bacterial cloud is present. Potassium Permanganate can be used as a plant dip for snails at double recommended tank strength for 10 -20 minutes. In the tank it can be used for Fluke treatment and is mildly effective for snail eradication (not a recommended snail removal method from my experience). Potassium Permanganate is also popular for use in cloudy tanks/pond to oxidize large amounts of organic wastes. If preparing your own Potassium Permanganate treatment, use 2 ppm per liter of water for in tank (pond) treatments and uses 10 ppm per liter for 10 -30 minute baths. It is also useful as a direct swab to fish wounds or ulcers or as a bath at double recommended tank strength for 30 minutes. Do not combine with Methylene Blue in baths. MB is a better choice where stress has occurred or ammonia and nitrite poisoning has occurred. Potassium Permanganate is the better choice for wounds/external or aeromonas/vibrio infections. DO NOT combine with Sulfuric Acid as this can produce explosive gases that can spontaneously combust alcohol nearby. Also do not combine with de-chlorinators as these products are reducers (usually container Sodium Thiosulfate or other reducers) that will immediately remove Potassium Permanganate since it is an oxidizer. Please keep in mind that this is an oxidizer than can and will destroy beneficial bacteria, so use with care if you must treat a main display tank (which is why I prefer baths or hospital tanks) *Potassium Permanganate can also be used for an experiment of testing you water conditioners chlorine removal properties. Add a double strength solution to a container of water, then add your water conditioner at recommended dose; the purple color of the Potassium Permanganate should immediately disappear indicating the effectiveness of your water conditioner and demonstrating how quickly it can remove chlorine (which is an oxidizer like Potassium Permanganate, while the water conditioner is a reducer often containing Sodium Thiosulfate). A popular product that contains Potassium Permanganate is Jungle Oxy Clear Potassium Permanganate is also found in this Kordon Product: "Permoxyn" FOR EACH MEDICATION ARTICLE, PLEASE CLICK THE LINKS BELOW: ANTIBIOTICS/ ANTIMICROBIALS PARASITE & CHEMICAL TREATMENTS ORGANIC TREATMENTS AQUARIUM MEDICATIONS & TREATMENTS INTRODUCTION (Home) For more aquarium information and articles (pond too), please visit this site:   
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