jen82

I just wanted to get some peoples opinions on addin medicine to their tanks. I see lots of conflicting info. Some say dont medicate just increase water changes while others say treat immediately. So hope im not opening a big can of worms here but here goes. Medicine or not..... Discuss.

Lucy

Hi jen, Actually it could be an interesting thread. To me, it's not cut and dry.

To medicate or not depends on what's wrong with the fish.

Dino

What are/would they be being treated for?
The decision to medacate or not depends on what is going on with the fish.
Major wounds and parasites are two cases where medications are called for.
The call for me would be the seriousness of what is happening, as some minor problems can be fixed by increasing the water change rate.

Butterfly

The type of fish would be a factor in whether to medicate /what type of meds to use.
For example- there are few meds Loaches, Catfish,Plecos can handle so increased water changes and a rise in water temperature is needed.
In any case increased water changes are never a bad idea it's a good first response. It will frequently give you time to figure out whats wrong and what to do about it and they can't hurt where as a hurried application or mixture of meds can.
carol

Martinismommy

This subject is too wide open to even answer...Nobody wants to medicate a tank if there is another solution....

jen82

Ok lets try to narrow it down a bit. When i have a common cold i just have some extra sleep or rest and a hot bath or shower. But some people fill themselves up with tablets and all sorts of medicines. What would be the fishy version of the common cold?

Chief_waterchanger

ICH.

And those people that fill themselves with tablets and meds are potentially damaging their liver (even if in minute amounts), even if that is not a choice they can make due to weakened immune system issues.

Martinismommy

In Bettas it would be a tear in the fin....This does not always warrant meds...Clean water and herbal treatments usually work...I only medicate if I can see an obvious bacterial problem...

The problem with administering meds is fish build up immunities to the antibiotic just like humans...This is why meds should be used at a last resort...

COBettaCouple

I only use meds when it really seems necessary, using extra water changes and things like vita-chem, fish protector and garlic guard.

Chief_waterchanger

The real question here, in my mind atleast, is, "What do we consider medicine and what do we consider those "other" things that people put in their tanks that they do not consider medicine?"

To me any chemical added to the water in an attempt to treat, prevent, or cure an irregularity, disease, parasite, fungus, illness, etc is a medicine, but I am interested in what others mindsets are on this.

Martinismommy

Very good question CWC.....Is it prevention or over protecting......Especially with the betta fish.....I had recently posted how I felt about water changes too often....This is along the same lines...Sometimes it is best to leave certain things alone.....Nature will take care of it....