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Hey folks, i was once recommended to use what Ill proceed to call shock therapy in instances when medications are not exactly doing anything for a fish.

This shock therapy consisted of grabbing some of the water f rom the tank, putting in a considerable amount of salt, perhaps a larger than normal dosage of medication.

Putting the fish in for about 30 seconds, then taking him back out and putting him back in the regular water.

Supposedly this was used to treat things like parasites and others that stick to the body of the fish. When the nasties sense they will die in the high concentration of salt/medication, they jump ship and become free from the fish.

Do any of you have any experience with this? Does any make sense? Would it be recommended? What do you think.

ETT

yes, dipping is done quite often, and with salt for example,its fine, the fish has methods of resisiting salt for short periods but with some medications it can be very ill advised. Some meds that are absorbed by breathing or that can saturate the fish will possibly cause a lethal dose in 30 seconds. The use of potassium meds are so lethal that they have to be used only in dips though, as to drop it in a tank for a long exposure would destroy the osmotic balance of the fish. Basically dipping is acceptable for a whole range of things , but depending on the med and how its absorbed, and how it works,and especially if it causes oxygen deprivation, you have to be very careful indeed. With antibiotics and dewormers for example, its very easy to administer lethal doses.`

There are certain bacteria, fungi, and parasites for whom of course a shock treatment or dip will be completely valueless, as the reproductive cycle has to be caught, and other internal parasites will be completely untouched.

Basically I think it usually only really effective for ditching leechlike and crustacean parasites, for most other diseases its too risky on the overdose front.

What your talking about does make sense. I have never done it personally but while looking up how to treat parasites and disease, I have come across treatments like this. I believed there call "baths" for the fish. I also read that there are other things to use besides salt like potassium permanganate. It seems that these baths are pretty effective, but you just have to know exactly what your doing. That's really all I know about it though I hope all goes well, and if your fish are sick they get better.

I found this link that talks about salt baths, how to do it and some do's and don't's:

http://www.fishdoc.co.uk/treatments/salt.htm

Good luck

tigermom

Hopefully someone can help you more

Thanks for the link and the information LHG and TM....

Regarding the medications....

I have coppersafe, I have a costa rican bottled medication that reads "copper sulfate" and one that is dark blue in color and reads "methylene blue" or something like it.

Should I considering mixing either/or with the salt or would it be best to go for a salt bath only.

I had done this with my betta's when they was ill. and it did work. But I did not use a large amount of salt. just a small amount will do.

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

I did a 20gms in a liter for 20 mins salt bath last night.

I didnt check this morning before I left for work cause I barely have any time but as soon as I get home this afternoon Ill check on em to see how theyre doing.

Would it be recommended to do another one today or is one bath more than enough? Would 2 kill em or stress em out too much?

I appreciate all the help you guys provide.