Fish Antibiotics – Helpful or Not?

Anyone who has kept fish for a long period of time has at one point or another had to deal with the unfortunate reality of various types of fish diseases. Even the most well balanced and clean aquariums can run into problems. There are many products available that are made to treat or control various diseases - some of which work better than others. In this article I would like to briefly discuss the role of antibiotics to treat diseases in ornamental fish.

Always remember that antibiotics are strong medications which should only be used after other types of treatment modalities have proved ineffective. Also it is important to point out that antibiotics only treat bacterial infections and are not beneficial for viral infections. It is a good idea to seek professional guidance when using these medications and be sure to use them in a hospital tank if you can so you don't harm any good bacteria in your main tank. Remove any carbon filtration so the medicine won't be filtered out. Now on with the list.

1) Penicillins: This is the most frequently used class of medication. It includes penicillin, ampicillin and amoxicillin. These are broad spectrum medications which are effective against many types of gram-positive and some gram-negative organisms. They can be effective treatments for Fin and Tail Rot, Pop-eye, Gill disease, Infected eyes, Skin ulcerations, White Body Slime and Columnaris dieases.

2) Tetracyclines: A class of broad spectrum antibiotics that are primarily active against gram-negative bacteria. This class includes tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline. These medications can be helpful against Fin and Tail Rot, General Listlessness, Gill disease, Anorexia or other Unusual Behavior and Pop-eye.

3) Macrolides: A broad spectrum antibiotic with similar coverage of the penicillin class, but with a broader range. The most common and well know is erythromycin. The macrolides can help with Patchy coloration, Clamped fins, Heavy or Rapid breathing and Swollen eyes.

4) Quinolones: Ciprofloxacin is the most well know quinolone. The quinolones inhibit DNA repair and block bacterial replication and can therefore be effective against bacteria resistant to other antibiotics. Quinolones are particularly useful against Aeromonas, Vibrios, Furunculosis, Flexibacteria and Columnaris infection.

I hope you enjoyed this brief explanation of the classes and uses for various antibiotics in relation to fish diseases. Before starting any treatment regimen you should check with a local specialist who can recommend effective treatment.