Tetracycline; for Fish in Aquarium or Pond

 

Revised 11/27/21

Tetracycline Hydrochloride is derived obtained from Streptomyces aureofaciens (and other antibiotics of natural origin) or occasionally synthetically from oxytetracycline.

All antibiotics derived from streptomycetes are generally Gram-positive, although Tetracycline Hydrochloride and other antibiotics derived from streptomycetes can have some gram negative activity as well. Also, Tetracycline Hydrochloride is generally more effective for aerobic bacteria
Because it is primarily gram positive, it is generally a poor choice for Columnaris (Flexibacter). Another related antibiotic is Minocyline which can be effective (but still not a first choice for Columnaris though) and it is often confused with Tetracycline Hydrochloride.

Really the only possibly effective Tetracycline product for Columnaris is Doxycycline (which really should be the only Tetracycline product you would use in an aquarium.
Resource: AAP Doxycycline (Fin & Body Cure)

Please Reference: Columnaris in Aquarium Fish

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When absorbed, Tetracycline is widely distributed to the organs and tissues of fish. It is eliminated unchanged primarily via the Kidneys and may accumulate with repeated dosing in fish with impaired renal function such as with many cases of Dropsy (which generally makes Tetracycline a poor choice for Dropsy).

Tetracycline Hydrochloride mode of action is as a protein synthesis inhibitor via an aminoacyl-tRNA binding mechanism to the 30S subunit. Mode of resistance is the loss of cell wall permeability. Tetracycline is best used in the treatment of bacterial infections that are gram-positive and SOME gram-negative infections in fish and interferes with the production of proteins that the bacteria need to multiply and divide (bacteriostatic). However many bacterial pathogens have developed resistance to Tetracycline Hydrochloride.

Common uses for Tetracycline Hydrochloride in fish include (generally gram positive causes of these symptoms);

*Streptococcus
*Fin and tail rot (split, ragged and deteriorating fin and/or tail)
*Popeye (protruding eyes, may be cloudy or hazy)
*Gill disease (swollen, discolored gills, gasping for air and a decrease in activity)
*Some secondary infections after treatment of other infections or parasites.
Reference: Gram Positive Streptococcus in Fish

Warnings:

I do not recommend the use of Tetracycline Hydrochloride for bleeding or ulcers in fish as Tetracycline has been shown to cause anemia in fish (and also humans to a lesser degree, which is the last thing you want to do with a bleeding fish.

Tetracycline can lower red blood cell count, because of this I would not use with injured fish. Tetracycline becomes dangerous past its expiration date. While most prescription drugs lose potency after their expiration dates, tetracycline can become toxic over time.

Side effects include: neutropenia (a condition of an abnormally low number of white blood cells), producing a “brown foam” on the surface of the aquarium especially for marine aquariums, and potential destruction of nitrifying bacteria.
s well, Tetracycline Hydrochloride is easily absorbed where calcium is present in larger quantities, which often renders this antibiotic useless in saltwater and high GH (hard water) freshwater aquariums.

The combined use of Tetracycline AND Erythromycin should be avoided (the side effects of these two antibiotics combined will generally negate any benefits obtained when used in combination).

Summary:

Tetracycline Hydrochloride can be a useful antibiotic, especially when others fail, however Tetracycline is more useful in warm blooded animals (humans and Veterinary) than in fish.

USAGE:

Directions from API Tetracycline; 250- 500 mg per 20 gallons of water. Every 48 hours (24 hours for severe issues) with a 25% water change before each treatment. This product will not work in water with a ph above 7.5- NOT FOR MARINE USE! (also not effective in freshwater aquariums with a pH above 7.6)

PRODUCTS CONTAINING TETRACYCLINE OR RELATED ANTIBIOTICS:

*API Tetracycline, for purchase from AAP
*API Doxycycline (Fin & Body Cure), from AAP
Recommended sources to purchase based on extensive aquarium and pond professional experience dating back to 1978.

REFERENCES:

*Aquarium Medications Part 2

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streptomyces
*http://ratguide.com/meds/antimicrobial_agents/tetracycline_hydrochloride.php

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Further Suggestions:
Prevention of disease is important, please maintain your water chemistry including KH, GH, pH, Ammonia, Nitrites, and even Redox, as all these parameters play a role in disease prevention.

The use of a UV Sterilizer maintained by changing the UV Bulbs every six months can be helpful in prevention (including Redox).
Product Reference Links:
*For UV Sterilizers:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/UVSterilizers.html
*For premium high out put UV Replacement Bulbs:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/UVCReplacementLamp.html

Suggested other aquarium information resources & products:

Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

For Aquarium Disease Prevention:
*Aquarium Disease Prevention

Aquarium/Pond UV Sterilizer Use
This article covers many aspects of Aquarium & Pond UV Sterilization from how, why, facts, myths, and maintenance including the importance of changing UV Bulbs regularly.

*Aquarium Lighting
The most up to date and researched article on the subject of aquarium light use for fresh or saltwater aquariums.

*TMC Premium Reverse Osmosis Water Systems for Aquariums

AAP Hydro Sponge Filters

THE PREMIUM Aquarium Sponge Filter with as much as 5 TIMES the bio and mechanical capacity of commonly sold Chinese knock offs!!
Definitely worth the extra $1-3

Metronidazole; by SeaChem, API, More

 

Revised 1/16/19

Metronidazole is an antibiotic (for anaerobic bacteria) and anti-protozoal medication used to treat various conditions internally and externally in fish.

As for Anaerobic bacteria, these are bacterium that thrive in environments in which there is little oxygen (anaerobic environments) and can cause disease in such environments as the intestinal tract and liver.

Metronidazole belongs to a class of antibiotics known as nitroimidazoles which work by ceasing the growth of bacteria and protozoa. Metronidazole works by selectively blocking some of the functions within the bacterial cells and some parasites resulting in their death.
Metronidazole is metabolized in the liver (whether a fish or a human).

Metronidazoles primary use is for the treatment of ANAEROBIC gram positive & SOME negative bacteria including those that produce beta-lactamase.
However, it is not effective against aerobic bacterium. This means Metronidazole is a poor choice for suspected bacterial diseases in open heavily oxygenated aquariums/ponds such as Columnaris, while it is an excellent choice for diseases of the low/no oxygen environment of the intestinal tract or other internal suspected bacterial pathogens (generally used ina fish food soak for best results).
Metronidazole may be a good choice for any bacterial disease present in low oxygen, high bio-load aquariums or ponds.

As well Metronidazole is effective for some protozoa.
It was originally found effective for the management of infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis.
For fish applications Metronidazole has been shown to be in particular more effective for internal and external flagellates.

Metronidazole is also sometimes effective for other protozoan parasite infections, especially for Cryptocaryon in marine aquaria as well as Hexamita & Ichthyophthirius.

Metronidazole is often recommended for disease in Cichlids which is often thought to be caused by Hexamita, HOWEVER there is considerable evidence that the cause of "Hole in the Head" is simply the lack of Calcium and even positive calcium ions. This is especially common in aquariums utilizing water softened using sodium chloride or potassium chloride to drive out hard water minerals.
Use of such water should be ceased prior to using Metronidazole and as well, the use of products such as Wonder Shells mineral blocks should also be used first before treating with Metronidazole (or combined).
References:
Hole in the Head Disease
AAP Wonder Shells; Unique Version

Due to Metronidazoles effectiveness against anaerobic bacteria by selectively blocking some of the cell functions of anaerobic bacteria, Metronidazole along with Neomycin is a good choice for bloating of the digestive tract (common in goldfish).
Metronidazole selectively blocks some of the cell functions in anaerobic bacteria, resulting in their demise.

Metronidazole is also effective used in combination (such as with Praziquantel) or by itself for internal parasites such as Nematodes or Trematodes.
In marine aquarium infections is where Metronidazole really shines as it is very effective internally and since Marine fish are always drinking the water around them, medication is easily transported to the infected area.
In Freshwater, treatment can be improved by soaking food as well and this is still an effective freshwater treatment as well.

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USAGE:

Directions from SeaChem Metronidazole; use 100 mg. for every 10 gallons (40 L).
Repeat every 2 days until symptoms disappear.
Make sure any UV Sterilizer (if used) is turned off and any carbon, Purigen, Chemipure or similar chemical filter media is also removed during treatment.

To feed (use as for a medicated food), use 100 mg. with approximately i tablespoon of frozen or dried food (fried food would need to be placed in just a enough water to cover and make wet/moist). Feed until symptoms disappear.
Introduction of Metronidazole to the aquarium water when feeding is OK.

Metronidazole can also be used in a fish bath. This is generally performed at double the "in tank" dose as per amount of water used in this bath. I recommend the use of Methylene Blue and maybe salt during this bath treatment too (once or twice per day for 7-10 days).
See: Fish Baths, Dips, Swabs

As with ANY treatment regimen, it is extremely important to follow correct procedures that includes addressing ALL water parameters and stressors (including oxidative stress.
Please read this easy to read article and follow ALL advice given as to proper treatment regimens:
Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

PRODUCTS CONTAINING METRONIDAZOLE:

*SeaChem Metronidazole, for Purchase
Recommended source to purchase based on extensive aquarium and pond professional experience dating back to 1978.
SeaChem's Metronidazole is the MOST PURE and easily used form of this antibiotic available to the fish keeping community

*API General Cure, for Purchase Contains Metronidazole & Praziquantel

VIDEO:

AAP Professional Aquarium & Pond Medications
THE BEST AQUARIUM TREATMENTS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! Fresh Product found EXCLUSIVELY at AAP

REFERENCES:

Aquarium Medications 2; Antibiotics, Antimicrobials

*How Medications Work, and Which Ones to Use and Not to Use

Suggested other aquarium information resources & products:

AAP Spectrogram
THERE IS NO MORE EFFECTIVE treatment for Fish Columnaris!!

Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

Aquarium UV Sterilization; How UVC Sterilizers Work

Purchasing Aquarium & Pond Equipment via Amazon

ALSO FROM THE ABOVE WEB SITE:
YouTube & Facebook for Aquarium Keeping Information

SEACHEM PRODUCTS
Some of the best aquarium treatments available.

AAP Wonder Shells
The ONLY Authorized online seller of the full line of this unique product. Only FRESH product, not clearance product!!

Aquarium Heaters; Submersible Quartz, Titanium

SeaChem Purigen

 

Revised 1/16/19

What is SeaChem Purigen?

First, I will say what Purgien is not; Purigen is NOT a treatment or water conditioner, rather Purigen is a chemical Filtration Product or "Filter Media".
Purigen is a premium synthetic adsorbent that is unlike most other similar filtration products such as Bio-Chem Zorb or Boyds Chemi-Pure.
Purigen is not a mixture of carbons, ion exchangers or adsorbents, rather Purigen is a unique macro-porous synthetic polymer that removes soluble and insoluble impurities from water at a rate and capacity that exceeds all others by over 500%. Sea Chem Purigen controls ammonia, nitrites and often hard to control nitrates by removing nitrogenous organic waste that would otherwise release these harmful compounds, with minimal impact on trace elements.

Purigen possesses enhanced capacity owing to its vast surface area. All other resins on the market are purely spherical extruded beads. These beads remain smooth even under a microscope. Purigen is both spherical and macroreticular. A macroreticular resin is made of two continuous phases, a continuous pore phase and a continuous gel polymeric phase. The polymeric phase is structurally composed of small spherical microgel particles agglomerated together to form clusters, which, in turn, are fastened together at the interfaces and form interconnecting pores. The surface area arises from the exposed surface of the microgel glued together into clusters.
The result is microscopic pores that increase its usable surface area to many times that of a purely spherical resin.

The result is that Purigen is the highest capacity organic filtration resin on the market. No other products can compare to its ability to clear and polish yellow or cloudy water to unparalleled clarity. Unlike other products on the market which are simple ion-exchange resins, Purigen is specifically designed to be an organic scavenging resin. When ion-exchange resins are filled to capacity by metals and other contaminants, Purigen® has barely begun to reach its potential.

ATTRIBUTES OF PURIGEN

*SeaChem Purigen polishes water to unparalleled clarity and darkens progressively as it is exhausted

*Purigen removes many tannins and other organic water "yellowing" by-products that ordinary carbon or carbon based products cannot (this is especially helpful to use with new driftwood or to lower the "yellow" color of aquarium 2-3 days after introduction of Indian Almond Leaves or Peat).
Purigen has no known effect on bacteria. It takes all the dye of e.g. peat, etc. allowing for more light available for plants.

*Purigen can be combined with Matrix or NPX Bioplastics Nitrate & Phosphate Reducing Polymer for even better results.
However in planted freshwater aquariums, we primarily recommend SeaChem Matrix (as well NPX Bioplastics Nitrate & Phosphate Reducing Polymer is generally intended for Marine aquariums with a Protein Skimmer, although use with Purigen including a planted freshwater aquarium would be an exception).

*Sea Chem Purigen is easily renewed by treating with bleach and is designed for both marine and freshwater use.

Directions; Soak in a 1:1 bleach:water solution for 24 hours in a non-metalic container in a well ventilated area and away from children. Rinse well, then soak for 8 hours with a solution containing 2 tablespoons of Prime, or equivalent dechlorinator (Water Conditioner) per cup of water (do not use slime coat dechlorinators such as Stress Coat or Novaqua).
Then, rinse well. After this, original color and full activity should now be restored and Purigen is ready for reuse.

TIP: I suggest using De-ionized/distilled water for both the soak and rinse for best results (more important for the soak)

The picture to the above/left show Purigen after a soak in bleach

REFERENCES:
*Aquarium GH, KH, PH; Chemistry, What to Know
*SeaChem.Com; Purigen
*SeaChem Purigen, for Purchase (Recommended source to purchase based on extensive aquarium and pond professional experience dating back to 1978)

Suggested other aquarium information resources & products:

AAP Wonder Shells
The ONLY Authorized online seller of the full line of this unique product. Only FRESH product, not clearance product!!
A MUST use when Purigen is employed in an aquarium to maintain Redox Balance as Purigen increases oxidative stress in an aquarium as a side affect of its actions!

Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

*UV Sterilization for Aquarium or Pond
This is the most in depth article on the subject of the important use of UV Sterilizers for aquarium or pond disease prevention and redox balance.

*UV Bulbs; High Efficiency
Only high efficiency, high output UVC lamps, including some models with patented heat shield that further increases efficiency & output.

*A Healthy Aquarium, Disease Prevention
A an excellent read with proven/tested steps to a healthier aquarium

*SunSun Powerhead Aquarium Pumps
Superior performance and value to more well known brands such as Marineland or Hagen

Erythromycin for Aquarium Fish

 

Updated 1-16-19

Erythromycin is a primarily gram positive antibiotic with a slightly "wider" antimicrobial spectrum to otherwise similar to penicillin.

A popular albeit often incorrectly and over recommended for fish infections. In humans Erythromycin is often used respiratory tract infections, which of coarse does not exist in fish (gills versus lungs).

During treatment Erythromycin is rapidly absorbed in a microbiologically active form into most tissues and phagocytes found in vertebrates (such as fish). Due to the often resulting high concentration of Erythromycin in phagocytes (white blood cells), Erythromycin is actively transported to the area of infection.
Over use of Erythromycin may result in muscle (including heart) and kidney damage, providing electrolytes, in particular calcium while treating with Erythromycin can aid in prevention or reversal of this damage

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USE:

The primary disease pathogens for use of Erythromycin are Staphylococcus and Streptococcus (which often includes many eye and mouth infections of fish).
Occasionally these bacterial pathogens can result in fin and tail rot as well.

Erythromycin can generally be combined safely with Triple Sulfa for a more wider spectrum treatment (especially for use against Staphylococcus infections).

Another use for Erythromycin is for cloudy aquariums and cyanobacteria blooms, however Erythromycin Sulfate is much more effective for these applications (as well better for fish pathogens) and most Erythromycin (such as API) is not of this form of Erythromycin.
Sometime in 2019, "AAP Professional Aquarium Treatments" will have this preferred form of Erythromycin available for aquarium/pond use again.
Resource: AAP Professional Aquarium Treatments

Although often recommended for Columnaris and Fish Fungus, these are simply INCORRECT uses for Erythromycin.

As with ANY treatment regimen, it is extremely important to follow correct procedures that includes addressing ALL water parameters and stressors (including oxidative stress.
Please read this easy to read article and follow ALL advice given as to proper treatment regimens:
Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

DIAGNOSTIC CHART
Please realize diagnostic charts are generalizations with many inaccuracies such as use for "true" mouth fungus.
Please click on the picture to enlarge for better view

FINALLY: While I strongly recommend the use of a UV Sterilizer both before and after treatment (24/7), use of this device should be discontinued during treatment with Erythromycin.



"API Erythromycin" can be purchased here (A business with professional aquarium medication experience dating back to 1978):
API Erythromycin

Sources:
*Aquarium Medications; How They Work
*Aquarium Medications; Antibiotics, Erythromycin *http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythromycin
*https://www.drugs.com/pro/erythrocin.html

Suggested other aquarium information resources & products:

Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

*For a proven step by step method to reduce the incidence of disease in your aquarium fish:
Aquarium Fish Disease Prevention; A Healthy Aquarium

AAP Hydro Sponge Filters

THE PREMIUM Aquarium Sponge Filter with as much as 5 TIMES the bio and mechanical capacity of commonly sold Chinese knock offs!!
Definitely worth the extra $1-3

*For Replacement UVC Bulbs to keep your UV Sterilizer (such as a TMC Vecton or Advantage UV) in peak performance, please visit this resource:
UV Bulbs

*Submersible Quartz & Digital Titanium Heaters

*Economy Submersible Aquarium, Vivarium, or Terrarium Fountain Pumps
Pumps ranging from 160, 238, 238 Gallons per Hour (gph)