Methylene blue dosing

[trevorhiller]

I just received a Tomini tang in the mail, he’s looking in rough shape. Kind of lethargic. I believe the water was cold. I’ve been reccomended to do a methylene blue bath

I have methylene blue 100 mg/20 mL. What concentration can I use?

I’ve seen up to 12 mg/Liter, so I believe I won’t have enough, but some is better than none? I’m going to try to add an air stone as well.

 

[slojim]

I'm sorry I don't have the dosing rate with me - I bet you can find that with google on some site with humble origins, but I will say that when I've used it on new fish, it's been in a bowl or a ~1 gallon container for 30 minutes - so maybe you have enough if you treat in a bowl instead of a tank. I used it on a scopas tank with no issues. It's so blue, you can't see the fish.

 

[trevorhiller]

I needed to get the fish out of the bag, he was looking bad and I was freaking out. I filled a 5 gallon bucket with water and matched the salinity and added a large heater so I could quickly get the temp and salinity matched. I added all the methylene blue I had which was 100 mg/5 gallons.

I moved him out of the bag and into the methylene blue bath with an air stone.

I’m not religious, but please say a prayer for me! This is a replacement Tomini tang for one that didn’t survive acclimation to my tank and my heart sunk when I opened the box and saw him laying on his side.

this is disheartening. :-/

 

[vetteguy53081]

I needed to get the fish out of the bag, he was looking bad and I was freaking out. I filled a 5 gallon bucket with water and matched the salinity and added a large heater so I could quickly get the temp and salinity matched. I added all the methylene blue I had which was 100 mg/5 gallons.

I moved him out of the bag and into the methylene blue bath with an air stone.

I’m not religious, but please say a prayer for me! This is a replacement Tomini tang for one that didn’t survive acclimation to my tank and my heart sunk when I opened the box and saw him laying on his side.

this is disheartening. :-/

Formalin or ruby rally pro would have been my choice
The two most important steps right now is to add aeration via air stone and equalize salinity and temperature with that of your display tank
Methelyne is one teaspoon per 10 gallons

 

[areefer01]

It was noted above on what to search for. Bob Fenner also has a great article or post on dips and baths. Late shipments, poor packaging, proper acclimation, and more but in any case good luck.

 

[trevorhiller]

Formalin or ruby rally pro would have been my choice
The two most important steps right now is to add aeration via air stone and equalize salinity and temperature with that of your display tank
Methelyne is one teaspoon per 10 gallons

I don’t have ruby rally pro. I do have some formalin, but I thought that removed oxygen from the water? Dr. Reef recommend the air stone or methylene blue. So I’m doing both since I have them readily available.

my plan is one hour in the bath, then begin acclimation to my tank. The fish is atleast vertical now in the water and swimming, so I’m more hopeful than I was 30 mins ago.

The bag was 29.4 ppt, so I need to raise it about 5 ppt. Going to try to take it slow since he’s in fresh saltwater.

 

[trevorhiller]

Methelyne is one teaspoon per 10 gallons

The methylene blue I had is pharmaceutical grade/atypical concentration. It's not the same concentration as the fish medication which was why I was looking for help with the dosing. I'm definitely restocking with some real fish methylene blue after this though. Within 5 mins in the dip, he went from laying on his side to upright. I don't believe I'm out of the woods yet, but I think that's a good sign.

 

[threebuoys]

Methylene blue is not prescribed very often for salt water fish, but is prescribed for fresh water fish to fight fungus.

I'm sure your goal is to avoid illness or infection given the fish's weakened condition.

Your best bet is to get the water conditions stable ASAP because the bigger risk near term is either trying to raise salinity too quickly compared to what was in the shipping bag, or possibly too big a temperature shift in a few minutes that might shock the fish.

Also, perhaps darken the tank and avoid any motion around the tank that might startle the fish.

 

[trevorhiller]

Methylene blue is not prescribed very often for salt water fish, but is prescribed for fresh water fish to fight fungus.

I'm sure your goal is to avoid illness or infection given the fish's weakened condition.

Your best bet is to get the water conditions stable ASAP because the bigger risk near term is either trying to raise salinity too quickly compared to what was in the shipping bag, or possibly too big a temperature shift in a few minutes that might shock the fish.

Also, perhaps darken the tank and avoid any motion around the tank that might startle the fish.

Methylene blue is thought to have some effect on oxygenation levels, no?

regarding getting the water stable “ASAP” how do I do that while simultaneously not shifting the temp or salinity too quickly.

he’s currently not in the tank yet, still in the bath, but I’m starting drip acclimation right now. I do have the blinds pulled and the tank lights out to make it dark as possible.

It’s probably going to take a few hours to raise the salinity by 5 ppt though. Fortunately I have a heater in the bucket he’s in right now.

I do appreciate everyone’s advise. It’s hard to research when the fish is circling the drain and you’re trying to read the forums and take care of the fish.

 

[threebuoys]

Do not try to raise the salinity by 5 ppt that fast. Do it over a couple of days. The fish will be fine in the lower salinity. Keep him in QT and observe for two or three days then, if the fish is OK. begin whichever QT protocol you want to use. The 5 gallon bucket will work for a couple of days until the salinity is matched, but you should try to set up something larger for the full QT cycle. We recommend the QT protocol at the link below. It covers some of the important aspects of setting up a QT.

Also, for shipped fish, many feel the drip method is flawed because the ammonia build up and potential rise in pH when the bag is opened create a risky situation. To avoid the risk, many will match the QT salinity to the salinity in the shipping bag and will get the temperature close (within a couple of degrees) and add the fish directly to the QT.

If you are concerned about oxygen levels, use an air stone not methylene blue.

 

[trevorhiller]

Do not try to raise the salinity by 5 ppt that fast. Do it over a couple of days. The fish will be fine in the lower salinity. Keep him in QT and observe for two or three days then, if the fish is OK. begin whichever QT protocol you want to use. The 5 gallon bucket will work for a couple of days until the salinity is matched, but you should try to set up something larger for the full QT cycle. We recommend the QT protocol at the link below. It covers some of the important aspects of setting up a QT.

Also, for shipped fish, many feel the drip method is flawed because the ammonia build up and potential rise in pH when the bag is opened create a risky situation. To avoid the risk, many will match the QT salinity to the salinity in the shipping bag and will get the temperature close (within a couple of degrees) and add the fish directly to the QT.

If you are concerned about oxygen levels, use an air stone not methylene blue.

Ok this might be a good idea. I can put him in a 10 gallon plastic frag tank.

the fish has already been through quarantine by Dr. Reef. You’re suggesting I transfer him from the methylene blue bath to a new water bucket with the same temp and salinity?

I have an acclimation heater and an air stone I could leave in there with him.

I matched the salinity and temp initially and got him out of the shipping water; so that’s not an issue.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Methylene blue is thought to have some effect on oxygenation levels, no?

regarding getting the water stable “ASAP” how do I do that while simultaneously not shifting the temp or salinity too quickly.

he’s currently not in the tank yet, still in the bath, but I’m starting drip acclimation right now. I do have the blinds pulled and the tank lights out to make it dark as possible.

It’s probably going to take a few hours to raise the salinity by 5 ppt though. Fortunately I have a heater in the bucket he’s in right now.

I do appreciate everyone’s advise. It’s hard to research when the fish is circling the drain and you’re trying to read the forums and take care of the fish.

Yes, Methyle blue is a good first response bath. It can help with ammonia burns or low o2 that can happen in shipping.

The Safety Stop 2-part dip product contains Methyle Blue as the 2nd step in that process, after using the formalin step.
step #1 Formalin (can reduce o2 levels)
step #2 Methyle blue (helps increase o2 levels)

Sorry, can't help you with the dosing of the product that you have though.
normal fish store methyle blue is dosed at 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons for a shorter bath, or half that, 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons if used in a QT tank for longer period.

 

[threebuoys]

Yes, since you matched the salinity that was in the shipping bag, you should be in good shape. Just add enough salt (mixed in water of course) over the next couple of days to get it where you want and you should be good to go.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I don’t have ruby rally pro. I do have some formalin, but I thought that removed oxygen from the water? Dr. Reef recommend the air stone or methylene blue. So I’m doing both since I have them readily available.

my plan is one hour in the bath, then begin acclimation to my tank. The fish is atleast vertical now in the water and swimming, so I’m more hopeful than I was 30 mins ago.

The bag was 29.4 ppt, so I need to raise it about 5 ppt. Going to try to take it slow since he’s in fresh saltwater.

Yes, air stone compensates for low oxygen loss. Same applies to praziquantel

 

[trevorhiller]

Fish is back on its side and appears lifeless, I think I’m losing the battle. I’m going to extend the methylene blue bath and keep the air stone running. I don’t want to move it if he’s still there.

But I’m honestly not even sure if it’s still alive because the blue water makes it so hard to see him.

I’m so frustrated right now…

 

[LeftyReefer]

Luckily for you, Dr. Reef is great with replacements.

I got a nice tomini tang from him a while back and it has been doing great for me.

If this one dies, let him know and he will more than likely replace it.

 

[trevorhiller]

Luckily for you, Dr. Reef is great with replacements.

I got a nice tomini tang from him a while back and it has been doing great for me.

If this one dies, let him know and he will more than likely replace it.

Yeah I’ve already been through this once. He replaced this fish and a yellow watchman goby that didn’t survive shipping. He didn’t even charge me for shipping.

I don’t think I can ask him for a third replacement Tomini tang… I don’t know why I keep having such bad luck. I wanted the Tomini tang as my centerpiece fish since I only have a 60 cube, but if this one doesn’t survive I don’t think I have it in me to order a third one.

It was shipped last night at 7 PM and I picked it up from UPS this morning at 10 as soon as it arrived. It’s strange because I’ve had fish shipped before that have taken over 24 hours and no problems.

 

[threebuoys]

Sorry for your losses. I know you are racking your brain to figure out what happened. Have you had success with other shipped fish? Certainly the time frame was very reasonable. I've ordered fish that required 48 hours to get to me and they still survived.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I just received a Tomini tang in the mail, he’s looking in rough shape. Kind of lethargic. I believe the water was cold. I’ve been reccomended to do a methylene blue bath

I have methylene blue 100 mg/20 mL. What concentration can I use?

I’ve seen up to 12 mg/Liter, so I believe I won’t have enough, but some is better than none? I’m going to try to add an air stone as well.

A one hour bath with methylene blue is typically at 5 ppm (thought the range is huge). This is the same as 5 mg/l. If your stock solution is 100mg in 20 ml, then it is 5 mg per ml and you would just add one ml of the stock solution per liter of tank volume.

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

Extending the methelyne will further reduce oxygen.