RX PRODUCT LINE | seabites

RX Product Line - Medicated Food for Fresh / Marine

When our aquatic pets get sick, we feel helpless. We rush out to the store and buy medications that may or may not help, not fully understanding the effects on our aquariums, or our fish. At Seabites / Aquabits, we've tried to simplify all of that into various fish foods that are good for both freshwater and marine enviroments.

Treatment Guidelines: If you suspect an internal parasite - high heat is beneficial. The parasites don't like it and some are actually killed by it. In addition, the fish's immune system is boosted at higher temps. 95-96 F is the most effective heat range. Most tropical fish can easily handle this if the tank is well aerated and the temperature is raised gradually over a 24 hr period. If in doubt, simply carefully monitor them while raising the temperature.

If you think it's a bacterial problem, high temperature is harmful. Bacterial thrive in the 80's and 90's, so it's best to treat in the low 70's. At this temperature, they won't eat much, so feed very lightly. In fact, if you suspect an internal bacterial problem, food is not going to help. Unless it's an antibiotic food, the fish are better off not eating. If fish do not respond to the antibiotic within 4 days, discontinue it and try another. If they respond, do not stop treatment. The full course must be given or they will be re-infected and become worse than before. Be aware - many manufacturers recommend a dose that is inadequate for a cure and many also have "cut" formulas that have a bulk inert ingredient added, which further dilutes the effectiveness of the medication.

Always choose a medicated food for an internal problem if you can find one with the proper medication and the fish is eating well. It is more effective, less harmful to the environment, saves the bio filter and is a less expensive way to treat.

Overview of common bacterial types:

Gram Negative

Aeronomas - anaerobic
Furunculosis - anaerobic
Vibro - anaerobic
Columnaris - aerobic
Pseudomonas - aerobic
Salmonella - aerobic

Gram Positive

Mycobacterium (TB)
Streptococcus - aerobic
Pseudonocardio - anaerobic
Staphylococcus - aerobic
Cynobacteria - (blue/green algae) phototrophic
Nitrifying - aerobic

Proper Feeding of Medicated Fish Foods

First, the fish must eat a particular amount for the medication to work. Most fish don't like the taste of the medication, so there is a bit of a challenge to get it right. The medication concentration is based on an amount that the average fish will eat. We want the fish to eat about 2% of their body weight in food each day. Small fish may eat more, but that is okay. There is a substantial safety margin in all of these products.

Follow these steps:

Feed only one type of medicated flake at a time.
Get them accustomed to the brand by letting them develop a taste for the un-medicated version - in our case we use the vitamin complex flake as a base.
Raise the temperature in the treatment tank. You want it towards the higher end of their tolerance range. Higher temperatures equal a higher metabolism, which means they will eat more. It's better that a bit too much medication gets into their system than too little.
Feed the medicated food exclusively. This means no other food of any kind during the full treatment period.
Feed only what they can consume in 5-10 seconds if the flake contains a water soluble medication. Yes, that's right - 5-10 seconds! Water soluble medication dissolves rapidly into the water and it loses it's effectiveness the longer it is in the water uneaten. 90% will remain in the food within the first 10 seconds. This means feeding only a couple flakes and letting the fish eat them immediately. Wait 15-20 seconds and then repeat. Do this multiple times until the fish is full. If they don't eat the food within 20-30 seconds, you need to remove it and dispose of it. They must not eat the food after the medication leaches out because it leaves less room for the food with it. It can take a long time to feed this way, but if you don't want to be bothered, then you may as well not treat at all. The above holds true for all medicated fish foods, not just medicated flakes. You would be wasting your time to just dump the food in, hoping they eventually eat it. Keep in mind that the same principle holds true for vitamins and minerals in fish foods. Many very rapidly leach into the water and all feedings should be done in a similar manner to the above description if you want your fish to get the most out of their food.
Once the fish stop eating the food, immediately quit feeding. It does no good past that point and can harm future feeding volumes. Feed immune boosting foods after the treatment period and then re-treat a week or two later with the medicated food if the pathogen calls for it - like egg laying parasites.

BRINE RX
with Metronidazole

WARNING-- Only 3-4 feedings are recommended along with proper steps to water restoration.

Metronidazole is an antibiotic (for anaerobic bacteria) and anti-protozoal medication used to treat various conditions internally and externally in fish. To effectively treat freshwater fish, metronidazole must be administered orally or in the food. Metronidazole is effective against hexamita, octomita, "hole-in-the-head" (and side) disease, many causes of bloat and has shown some usefulness against cryptocaryon and ich. Also for chilodonella, plistophora (parasite disease usually seen in neons and cardinals that causes loss of color, darting, and eventually death.)

Kanamycin Sulfate Flake

It is used to treat many sensitive gram–negative and some gram–positive bacteria. Works especially well in salt water aquariums. Works well combined with Nitrofurazone for flexibacter (columnaris). Kanamycin sulfate appears to prevent bacteria from making their cell walls, so the cells die.Feed this food exclusively for 10 days
safely and effectively treats several fungal and bacterial fish diseases such as Dropsy, Popeye, Fin / Tail Rot and Septicemia

Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride Flake

Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Marine ulcer disease, cold water disease, bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia and mouth fungus.
Feed this food exclusively for 10 days.

Praziquantel De-Wormer Flake

The medication base of this flake is geared towards internal cestodes and flatworms. We even have found it to be very effective at eliminating gill flukes. It is also made with Garlic Flake for additional protection. Give one feeding of this food exclusively, every day for 5-7 total feedings. Feed the fish only once each day of the treatment at the end of the day. They should be kept hungry, so they will eat vigorously.

Fenbendazole De-Worming Flake

We've demonstrated the effectiveness of garlic in dealing with internal nematodes (round worms) in our own experiments. The combination of a natural de-wormer along with a very effective drug gives your fish their best chance. One feeding of this food exclusively, every other day for 5 total feedings will give the proper dosage. Feed the fish only once on the day of the treatment at the end of the day. They should be kept hungry, so they will eat vigorously. Repeat the full treatment after 3 weeks.

Levamisole De-Wormer Flake

A garlic based flake that is designed to kill nematodes (capillaria, camallanus, etc). It targets parasites similar to the ones our first De-worming Flake is designed for, but it works in a totally different manner. It is good to alternate medication types occasionally to help prevent the development of worms resistant to the one medication. This food should be fed exclusively, once each day for two days. Feed the fish only once each day of the treatment at the end of the day. They should be kept hungry, so they will eat vigorously. Repeat the full treatment two more times, 2-3 weeks apart.