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- Health & Wellness
What are the best medicines for fish parasites, bacteria, or fungus?
Pimafix is an acceptable "natural" antifungal treatment. Melafix is for bacterial infections. Kanamycin, erythromycin or metronidazole are good broad spectrum antibiotics. Fungus Cure (by API) is an excellent antifungal. You can find these medications in the aquarium section of most pet stores or even online. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. The cornerstone of any treatment is to first maintain pristine water quality and stable chemistry.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Health & Wellness
Why are my fish dying with grey spots? How do I treat their illness?
Check the water chemistry. The discoloration could be due to elevated ammonia levels which can cause "burns". Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. The Neons (blue fish) appear to be infected with Ich, a parasite. Treatment is possible with commercial products found in the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully. You will need to treat the entire tank until all traces are gone. Removing a lump from your fish on your own is never recommended. You can cause severe injury. Most broad spectrum antibiotics (Kanaplex, Maracyn, Maracyn 2, etc.) found in the aquarium section of the local Petco should help treat or prevent infection. Choose one and follow label directions. Remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. Maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular partial water changes to aid in recovery. You can feed frozen worms, just thaw then first in a small cup then place them in the tank.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Health & Wellness
My fish tank is cloudy with high nitrates after meds. Will UV help?
Thanks for reaching out about Fishy. A UV sterilizer will only help if a bacterial component is adding to the cloudiness. More intense water changes are the best way to remove nitrates. Monitor feeding to limit excess, vacuum bottom of tank to remove degrading detritus. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Health & Wellness
What's the white cotton stuff in my fish tank and how do I remove it?
Thanks for reaching out. This problem is perplexing, but possibilities include fungal or bacterial overgrowths. A good cleaning might help to alleviate your problems. Continue to test water quality and correct problems. Sometimes the over-growth of anaerobic bacteria (those which grow in low or no oxygen conditions, at the bottom of the tank), can form strange formations of detritus. Submitting a sample to a lab might help determine an answer. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
- Vet Q & A
Why are my angelfish and red tail shark sick in their new tank?
Check the water chemistry and temperature. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample to test fro elevated ammonia or nitrite levels. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Partial water changes can be done, if indicated, to stabilize chemistry and improve or maintain water quality. Ideally, you want 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less in a non-planted tank or 40 ppm or less in a planted tank. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. You'll need to keep the temp at the upper limits for Red Tails in order to keep the Angelfish comfortable. That would be in the 78F to 80 F range. Both have similar pH requirements, 6.8 to 7.5. You can fast the Angel for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked, shelled green peas. This will usually resolve constipation and bloating. Pristine water quality may resolve the patch on your shark. Recommending a medication without more information or a clear image would be risky to the stability of the tank's nitrogen cycle. You can use plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) as a general tonic. It will reduce stress, improve gill function, may treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition. A note on tank size: Although the two fish may be fine in a 15 gallon tank now, you will likely need a larger tank as they mature. Red Tails can reach 6-7 inches and Angels can reach 6-8 inches. At adult size, a 15 gallon tank will be insufficient and could lead to some aggression from either fish.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
