5 Pitfalls to Avoid when Treating Fish

1. Dumping the med powder directly into the tank. The fish can eat some of the powder before it dissolves and lead to death from overdose. This may be true or not. However, it makes sense to me and it's better to be safe than sorry.

Instead... Let the med powder fully dissolve in a medicine cup with a little tank water before pouring it into the hospital tank.

2. Putting the fish directly into a bucket of fresh dechlorinated tap water when you suspect he is stressing out from the med(s). This shocks the fish and can lead to more stress, which might be that extra nudge that pushes the fish over.

Instead... Do a 50% water change with dechlorinated tap of approximately the same temperature. This halves the concentration of meds without the stress associated with a 100% water change.

3. Treating the fish for less than 10 days.

Instead... Treatment should take a minimum of 10 days and a maximum of 14 days. Less than 10 days and you risk the disease not being killed off completely, which may lead to the development of resistant bacteria that are even harder to kill. But treating for more than 14 days can lead to liver damage from the meds. This means treat as soon as possible once you confirm the fish is sick, so you don't have to treat longer than 10 days.

4. Not doing daily water changes and remedicating.

Instead... At least in the case of Maracyn 1/2 and kanamycin sulfate, both effective in treating bacterial infections, daily 25% water changes and remedicating with the proper dose, help keep the water clean and reduces the amount of TDS (total dissolved solids). This helps reduce stress for the fish while also keeping ammonia low.

5. Not bleaching the hospital tank after each treatment is completed. Some of the bacteria may survive to wreak havoc the next time you set up the tank for another fish, making it even more difficult for the fish to get well.

Instead... Fully disinfect the hospital tank with a 1:20 bleach to water ratio. Then rinse thoroughly, let dry, fill and add a double dose of dechlorinator, and drain before storing the tank for the next use.