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If you read an aquarium web site, magazine, or book you'll likely come across recommendations of products for treating disease. The problem is that not all brands and not all drugs are equally available throughout the world. Since we're a very international crew, a moment spent looking over the table below should help clear up any confusion you have about the treatment we've recommended. Antibiotics In most countries access to antibiotic medications is restricted to some degree. A notable exception is the United States, where a variety of antibiotics can be obtained from tropical fish shops. In other countries, you will either need to use antibacterial alternatives or ask a veterinarian to supply you with the required antibiotics (generally at low cost, but it's admittedly a hassle). Examples of antibiotics sold in the United States you won't find in tropical fish stores in most other places include: API Furan-2 (Furan compounds) API Erythromycin (Erythromycin) API T.C. (Tetracycline) Mardel Maracyn-Two (Minocycline) Seachem Metronidazole (Metronidazole)
Antibacterials In states where sale of antibiotic treatments is restricted, aquarists often turn to antibacterial medications. Whilst these can be effective, the claims made by the manufacturers as to their efficacy have to be taken in context. Often they depend upon early diagnosis and immediate treatment. Do not expect an antibacterial medication to have much impact on an advanced case of dropsy or severe hole in the head. Since many of the problems that antibacterials and antibiotics are used to treat are typically caused by lack of quarantining, careless use of live food, or poor water quality management, this underlines the fact that prevention is definitely better than cure. In other words, the best way to deal with dropsy or hole in the head is simply not allow it to become a problem in the first place. Tea-Tree Oil and Bay Tree Oil Medications based on tea-tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) such as Melafix and West Indian bay tree oil (Pimenta racemosa) are widely sold as "natural" and therefore "safer" alternatives to standard antibiotics, antibacterials and antifungals. While such products are sometimes effective, many aquarists -- including most of us here at WWM -- tend to recommend against them. The problem is that they are unreliable, and inexperienced aquarists often expect them to cure serious infections. By the time the aquarist realises the tea-tree oil or bay tree oil isn't working, it's already too late for standard medications to save the life of the fish. On balance then it is much better to think of these products as mild antiseptics that prevent secondary infections. So if a fish has been damaged by fighting or handling, Melafix might be used to prevent a fungal or bacterial infection. Of course, a healthy fish would fend off such infections anyway, so it's hard to know if the tea-tree oil did anything useful. On the other hand, once a fish starts exhibiting symptoms of fungal or bacterial infection, tea-tree oil and bay tree oil are best passed over in favour of traditional antifungal, antibacterial and antibiotic medications. Such medications will work much more effectively and reliably. One last warning: Just because these medications are marketed as "natural" doesn't mean they're not toxic. Cyanide is 100% natural, but it's still pretty deadly stuff! Some fish and invertebrates have reacted badly to tea-tree oil and bay tree oil, and just as with standard medications, the aquarist should observe the tank during treatment to ensure all livestock behaves normally, in particular looking out for signs of laboured breathing, excessive nervousness, or unusual colouration. Warnings! Most medications are not safe to use with invertebrates (such as shrimps). Most medications are not safe with sensitive fish, including clown loaches, certain catfish, mormyrids, pufferfish, stingrays, and sturgeons. Most medications are not safe used in combination with other medications. Almost all medications will only work when carbon has been removed from the filter. Some medications will not work in soft/acid water (e.g., JBL Gyrodactol). Some medications require the addition of salt to be effective (e.g., Interpet #13 Swimbladder Treatment).
What's available The following table lists some of the popular freshwater aquarium medications. Inclusion on this table isn't an endorsement though, and you may find that some products are more effective than others. As ever, research and talking to experienced aquarists are the keys to make wise decisions. This list isn't exclusive either, and there will be numerous other brands available at your retailer performing equivalent functions.
Major manufacturers Some brands are sold worldwide, but others are only sold in certain areas. The following gives a listing of the featured manufacturers and their approximate area of distribution at the time of writing (July 2007).
Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Based in the US Available in North America and parts of Europe
Aquarium Products Based in the US Available in North America
eSHa Labs Based in the Netherlands Available in UK and Europe
Hikari USA Based in the US Equivalent Hikari products available worldwide
Interpet Based in the UK Available in UK and Europe
JBL Based in Germany Available in UK and Europe
Kusuri Based in the UK Available in UK and Europe
Seachem Based in the US Available worldwide
Waterlife Based in the UK Available in UK, Europe, South Africa, Australia, Asia, Middle East, etc. |
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