Aquarium Medication: What to Consider

[@theaquariumprojectnz]

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[@Glenn_AE6YT]

Here in the States I can wilk into my local fish store and get an assortment of antibiotics and antifungals and bring them home for use I my fish. I have used them, but only after treatment with either salt or the dyes methylene blue or malachite green. One of these days I feel that access to these medications will also be restricted, not because of our using them on fish, but because people self-prescribe them for their own use when they get sick. Take care.

[@theaquariumprojectnz]

ah yep that makes sense. I didnt even mention that danger of human use

[@crashbash2020]

the problem is most vets, even those who will see fish have no real experience dealing with fish and common conditions. when i lived in auckland I have got medication from vets before and i had to go and explain what the disease was and how to treat it. they had no idea but given i was clearly reasonably versed and able to show them products available overseas that were available to treat the disease they were happy to prescribe. Testing is good and all for high value fish, but say I have an angelfish with HITH there is an accepted method of treatment to try as a general treatment first and doing tests and vet visits which are going to cost hundreds isn't going to change that. not to mention people aren't going to spend hundreds on vet bills for a fish that costs $5-$50 depending on its age. There really should be an exemption for reasonably qualified fish store employees (maybe make it a basic certificate or something) to be able to sell limited quantities of common medications manufactured for the purpose of treatment of fish (e.g. the API general cure, seachem -plex ranges etc) I would bet any reasonably qualified fish store employee would have more knowledge than your average vet. I live in Tauranga now and there isn't a single vet here that will see you for fish at all.

[@theaquariumprojectnz]

For sure that makes sense. however vets do have methods to communicate with other experts around the world. I have had fish seen by vets where maybe they dont know much about fish, but have been able to converse with the global experts to understand. The biggest challenge is identification. I cannot tell you the amount of times people come in convinced their fish have hith but it is just a nostril or scratch etc. This issue then leads to overmedicating or treating with non-relevant medications which causes more issues