Can formalin be treated at same time as anitbotics?

[johnnyboy2476]

Hi all,

One of my discus is breathing very heavily. It's a high-fin blue diamond and there are some white patchy area near the head and stomach region. I am not sure if it's parasitic or bacterial infection. Currently, it's in a hospital tank. I am treating it with Norton Ich-rid + (which is Formalin and Methly Blue) and also treating it with Kanacyn. Is this a good idea or should I just treated with Formalin? I'm a newbie so I don't know how to properly dignose the problem.

[Shari]

This memo comes late from your need of help...but I've had the same confusion a few times...my choice would be Rid Ick+ or Quick Cure which is Formalin and Malachite Green and yes you can use any number of antibiotics with it if your unsure of what your problem is, or you may need both products pending the problems. I suggest giving the Discus an hour or two to adjust to the Formalin combo, then add the antibiotic if needed and watch the fish to be sure that after the first few minutes they are ok. I've used Metro, Kanacyn, Ampicillan, Penicillan etc. with the Formalin combo and never had problems.
(fish vet told me these listed above were fine to use in conjunction with)

By the way, usually the Formalin and Malachite Green will take care of almost anything by itself - at least flukes and almost all other parasites.
Be sure to do your 50% w/c every day, or at least every other day along with the treatments. And after the 50% w/c do full treatments and keep up for about 5-7 days (or every other day up to 14 days if it's ick you have)

good luck in future.

[Shari]

Afterthought!

With the other meds which are tabs or capsule forms, shake up in a container with real warm water treated with Prime or something to take out chlorine/chloramines etc. Pour across the top of the tank water.

You will find most of it dissolves quite well and won't have a tank of white chunks that won't dissolve.