Recommended First Aid Kit Hey Guys,
Thought I’d do a little post on a basic first aid kit to get you started if you’re looking to be prepared for most eventualities.
I do have a post on diseases etc which fully explains when to use them under the guides section at the top of the group
Myxazin.- This treats a broad spectrum of things from fungus, bacterial and rot.
- This is the number one medication I recommend on the page for a range of issues. It’s most likely ingrained on people now the amount I advise it.
- This is also good to sterilise equipment such as tongs, siphons and buckets.
- This is also great to treat live food before feeding.
Methylene Blue.- This is antibacterial and anti fungal and gives fish a detox if exposed to toxins such as ammonia and nitrite.
- This is the treatment that’s super gentle but the main reason I advise this is detoxing ammonia or nitrite spikes in the tank.
Protozin.- This treats parasitic infestations and some fungal issues.
- With parasites they can often lead to a secondary bacterial infection and the ingredient malachite green in this helps to treat or prevent that.
- Most commonly used for ich or velvet.
- I use this on any new tank decor to kill anything that’s possibly harbouring on plants, rocks or wood.
Epsom Salt.- This helps relieve swellings.
- This can sometimes help relieve constipation, although the main reason it helps is due to swelling related to that.
- This helps things like swellings from popeye or the very early stages of dropsy.
Clove Oil or Aqua Sed.- This is to euthanise if this needs to happen. If the fish is suffering it’s kinder to put them to sleep restfully rather than them suffering. Both of these medications will initially sedate the fish and then a further dose is added once sedated to euthanise.
Medication Guidance - Myxazin
1. This is a course of medicine that you carry out for a duration of 5 days. In most cases this is enough to treat the issue but a further course can be carried out if necessary.
2. The dose only lasts for 24 hours so a new dose is added daily.
3. It’s always best to treat the fish in a hospital tank especially if they have tank mates.
4. This can be used in the tank and won’t kill filter bacteria if the correct dosage is used, however even a slightest overdose takes the active ingredient malachite green to a level that can kill the beneficial bacteria along with the harmful bacteria.
5. Very important to note that if you’ve used protozin then you have to leave 4 clear days before switching to this.
- Protozin
1. This can be added directly to the tank as it’s filter safe, however it does contain copper so this makes it not safe for shrimp or snails.
2. It’s a 4 day treatment which is used on days 1,2,3 and 6 to cover the lifecycle of the parasites.
3. It’s very important to note that you cannot use this medicine within 4 days of using myxazin, so you need to use 4 clear days before using this or visa versa.
- Methylene Blue
1. This should never be added directly to the tank as it kills all bacteria, so although it’s an amazing treatment to kill bacteria it cannot differentiate between good and bad bacteria and kills it all including the beneficial bacteria that your tanks cycled is maintained by.
2. It’s always best to tub a fish in a sandwich box or old Chinese take out tub and fill with fresh dechlorinated water and add a couple of drops until it’s a mid blue colour. Once it’s mixed you can float the tub with the fish on the tanks surface to keep them warm during the 30 minutes of the treatment.
3. This is also an amazing medication to detox fish from exposure to ammonia and nitrite poisoning caused by unstable parameters.
4. Can be used in combination with Epsom salt baths also.
- Epsom Salt
1. Treat fish in a hospital set up or tub with fresh dechlorinated water and float on tanks surface to keep warm.
2. Mix 2 teaspoons with 1 litre of warm water and mix until fully dissolved. Once cool enough for fish you can add for 10-15 minutes twice a day and this can help with swelling.
3. It has to be unscented and contain no dyes.
- Clove Oil
1. This needs to be pure clove oil.
2. Fill a tub with the fishes tank water and place the fish in there, around 1-2 litres
3. Fill another small container around 100ml with tank water and add 6 drops of clove oil and then shake really well.
4. Then start slowly adding some of the clove oil water into his tub. Adding the solution slowly will put them to sleep first.
5. Just continue to keep slowly adding the solution until the gills no longer move.
6. The process can take around 30 minutes to make sure they are definitely gone.
7. This is the most humane way to add slowly since you are sedating before euthanising and they feel no pain or struggle.
- Aqua Sed
1. Fill a tub with the fishes tank water and add 1 pump per litre of water you have there so it’s best to measure to get the correct dose. This will sedate the fish at this dose.
2. Once they are sedated you can add 4x dose to euthanise so add a further 4 pumps into the tub.
3. This will euthanise the fish but keep watching for up to 30 minutes to make sure their gills have stopped.
4. Carrying it out in 2 stages is the most humane way as it gently sends them to sleep without pain or suffering.