Meds for Cory's and Yoyo Loaches?

[jmf]

Hi People,

I'm new here so a big hello to all

I picked up 3 salt and pepper Cory's and 1 yoyo loach (yes I know I need a larger group but that's all the LFS had on hand).

The guys are in a 5g QT tank and would like to treat them for diseases/parasitics etc before adding them to my 20g.

I have the following meds on hand:

• Paraguard

• API General Cure

• flubendazole

• praziquantel

• ICH-OUT (Formaldehyde <5%, Methanol <2%, Malachite Green <0.1%)

• Blue Planet Aquari Cycline (375mg Tetracycline Hydrocloride)

• Blue Planet Multi Cure 125ml (Malachite Green, Methylene Blue, Acriflavine)

Which of these meds are safe for Cory's and loaches?

Thanks for any help

[TwoTankAmin]

I have used some of the meds you list with no issues. Others are not my brand/med of choice. Of those you list, the one about which I would be most concerned is the last one which contains Malachite Green, Methylene Blue, Acriflavine.

I do use Malachite Green but with Formalin, in the form of Quick Cure for Ich. These are still the best meds for this as far as I can tell. ProForm C also contains these ingredients.

I have never used Acriflavine, but most of what I have read seems to indicate it can cause problems, including sterilization.

A number of years ago I needed to treat ich. I was worried about the effects on the fish of M G and Form. I asked some very experienced fish keepers about this and this is what I was told. They asked which I thought was worse, treating them briefly with something that was known to work but was harsh, or allowing the ich to progress by using something for even longer and which might not work. So I use Quick Cure following bottle/site the directions for use:

Add 2 drops per gallon daily (do not discontinue filtration) for all fish except those in the tetra group.
FOR TETRAS: Add 1 drop per gallon daily.
FOR MARINE FISH: Add 2 drops per gallon daily in a bare aquarium.

Replace carbon 24 hours after last treatment. Maximum dosage: 3 daily treatments. If further medication is required, perform a 25% water change before administering another treatment cycle. Water will turn blue during treatment. This is a temporary condition and will disappear in a few days. Change 50% of water if fish show any signs of distress during treatment or an accidental overdose of this product occurs.

Can discolor silicone in glass aquariums.

[bekateen]

I have never used Acriflavine, but most of what I have read seems to indicate it can cause problems, including sterilization.

I regularly use PraziPro (which has praziquantel in it) as a prophylactic dewormer on new wild-caught fish. I've been told the same thing about Prazipro - that it can cause sterilization, and also that it can cause neurological or breathing problems in cats, especially corys.

Personally, I have never observed any neurological or breathing issues with corys or plecos I've treated with PraziPro, but I must confess that it seems like it's been a long time since some of my corys have spawned, or when they do that the egg fertilization rate is very poor. So anecdotally, there may be something to the sterilization effect, but I would not bank on it. I'm considering doing a controlled study with some corys to find out

I also use ProForm C - it seems to work well. Just be careful that the label says it doesn't work with water conditioners like SeaChem Prime because the water conditioner binds the medication. So the medication manufacturer recommends you use a different type of dechlorinator.

Cheers, Eric

[jmf]

Thanks for the replies. The issue is we can't get most of the meds in Australia as you guys do. I tried to get a product as close as ich-x as I have read good reviews for people in the States. It does have M G, Form and Methanol.

I might try making some medicated food with General Cure to treat the corys and loaches.

[Mol_PMB]

My opinion is that you shouldn't medicate unless you need to. Meds have side-effects and down-sides too. If the fish shows no signs of Ich, why stress it out with Ich meds?
In my experience, wild-caught fish have pretty good immune systems. Fish from local breeders are usually healthy and disease-resistant too. The problem comes if you try and mix wilds and industrially-bred fish.

[jmf]

My opinion is that you shouldn't medicate unless you need to. Meds have side-effects and down-sides too. If the fish shows no signs of Ich, why stress it out with Ich meds?
In my experience, wild-caught fish have pretty good immune systems. Fish from local breeders are usually healthy and disease-resistant too. The problem comes if you try and mix wilds and industrially-bred fish.

I got sooooo many different opinions. Some people as it's a most to QT all fish and med for parasites etc, whilst people like yourself say a totally different thing lol. Totally confused

[Bas Pels]

If it ain´t broken, don´t fix it is a good rule for one´s life. But when it comes down to treating fish which are not sick, it is even more important.

All medications are poisen. But they are a poisen the fish can stand better then the desease.

Now, if a fish has something, you better use medications. But if it doesn´t have anything, you should not poisen it.

A problem is, some deseases are very agressive - that is, if you see any symptomes, you are almost certainly too late medicating. But if your fishes are healthy, these deseases will becvome much less agressive.

Most often, the agressive thing is a secuncair illness. That is, an illness which is not able to attact healthy animals, but which will have its chances when another condition has weakened them. To me, that is an argument for primarily keeping fishes healthy.

Now there is also a cultural aspect. Generally speaking, people in the USA are much more afraid of germs then we in Europe are. But obviously, if it works here in Europe, is should work in the USA too

[jmf]

Now there is also a cultural aspect. Generally speaking, people in the USA are much more afraid of germs then we in Europe are. But obviously, if it works here in Europe, is should work in the USA too

I totally agree. I'm not in the USA so can't comment on them but Europeans can be strange as well. I have had to explain to many that "no, you cannot keep meat out of the fridge all day/night in a hot country (or any really)" to "You shouldn't be taking antibiotics for a simple cold, and yes when you take antibiotics for real reason you must finish all"

I had (mainly southern European's) that do believe in the old wives tells instead of proper proven things. Don't get me wrong I'm big into herbs and natural remedies. I also believe we have stuffed yourselves because of a number of antibiotics that have been used.

Anyway back on topic, fish in most lfs in Australia aren't kept very well and wouldn't dream of adding them to a tank without cleaning them out.