I've compiled a brief guide to commonly used antibiotics/medications for treating bacterial infections. This gives a run-down on which are helpful for what, and which are able to be used together.
Note: The majority of these treatments should be done in a hospital or QT tank with no rock or sand and plenty of aeration.
Acriflavine: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container (5g bucket), effective when used in conjunction with antibiotics for treating aggressive infections. Also has anti-parasitic qualities, can be used to help combat Brooklynella. Common sources: Ruby Reef Rally, Acriflavine-ms, API Fungus Cure.
Methylene Blue: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container, helpful as a “first response” in treating injuries and ammonia burns.
Kanaplex (kanamycin): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections, also can be combined with Furan-2 and Metroplex when treating severe infections. Kanaplex can be bound to food using seachem Focus, and fed to fish to treat INTERNAL infections, or as a last-resort, in-reef antibiotic treatment.
Furan-2(nitrofurazone/furazolidone): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections; can be combined with Kanaplex and Metroplex for severe infections. Can also be used with Triple Sulfa or Sulfaplex to treat severe infections if NFG is not available.
Metroplex (Metronidazole): Anti-parasitic. Primarily used as an anti-parasitic against intestinal flagellates, uronema, and brookylnella, although it also has antibiotic properties. Can be used in conjunction with Kanaplex and Furan-2 for severe infections.
Neoplex (neomycin): Antibiotic. Same active ingredient as the topical ointment, Neosporin. May help in treating injuries/abrasions. Also, some evidence that it could be useful in treating INTERNAL infections when bound to food with Focus.
Enrythromycin: Antibiotic. Commonly used to treat eye infections. Can be mixed with minocycline (Ex. Maracyn 1 + Maracyn 2) for a wider spectrum. Can also be used with Epsom salt for pop eye/swelling.
Nitrofuracin Green: Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Very effective in treating severe infections, and the dreaded gram-negative bacteria. Combines nitrofurazone, Sulfathiazole sodium (another antibiotic), methelyne blue, and sodium chloride.
The Sulfa Drugs: Sulfaplex and API Triple Sulfa. Antibiotics. The API drug can very effective in clearing infection, but generally harsher on the fish than some of the other options listed above. Contains sulfacetamide sodium, sulfamethazine, and sulfathiazole. Can be used with Furan-2 for severe infections if NFG is not available.
I hope this post is helpful in deciding which course of treatment is best...I learned most of what is written here from @Humblefish on the fly during my own QT adventures [emoji23]
Happy reefing!
Note: The majority of these treatments should be done in a hospital or QT tank with no rock or sand and plenty of aeration.
Acriflavine: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container (5g bucket), effective when used in conjunction with antibiotics for treating aggressive infections. Also has anti-parasitic qualities, can be used to help combat Brooklynella. Common sources: Ruby Reef Rally, Acriflavine-ms, API Fungus Cure.
Methylene Blue: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container, helpful as a “first response” in treating injuries and ammonia burns.
Kanaplex (kanamycin): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections, also can be combined with Furan-2 and Metroplex when treating severe infections. Kanaplex can be bound to food using seachem Focus, and fed to fish to treat INTERNAL infections, or as a last-resort, in-reef antibiotic treatment.
Furan-2(nitrofurazone/furazolidone): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections; can be combined with Kanaplex and Metroplex for severe infections. Can also be used with Triple Sulfa or Sulfaplex to treat severe infections if NFG is not available.
Metroplex (Metronidazole): Anti-parasitic. Primarily used as an anti-parasitic against intestinal flagellates, uronema, and brookylnella, although it also has antibiotic properties. Can be used in conjunction with Kanaplex and Furan-2 for severe infections.
Neoplex (neomycin): Antibiotic. Same active ingredient as the topical ointment, Neosporin. May help in treating injuries/abrasions. Also, some evidence that it could be useful in treating INTERNAL infections when bound to food with Focus.
Enrythromycin: Antibiotic. Commonly used to treat eye infections. Can be mixed with minocycline (Ex. Maracyn 1 + Maracyn 2) for a wider spectrum. Can also be used with Epsom salt for pop eye/swelling.
Nitrofuracin Green: Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Very effective in treating severe infections, and the dreaded gram-negative bacteria. Combines nitrofurazone, Sulfathiazole sodium (another antibiotic), methelyne blue, and sodium chloride.
The Sulfa Drugs: Sulfaplex and API Triple Sulfa. Antibiotics. The API drug can very effective in clearing infection, but generally harsher on the fish than some of the other options listed above. Contains sulfacetamide sodium, sulfamethazine, and sulfathiazole. Can be used with Furan-2 for severe infections if NFG is not available.
I hope this post is helpful in deciding which course of treatment is best...I learned most of what is written here from @Humblefish on the fly during my own QT adventures [emoji23]
Happy reefing!
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