Recommended for your Discus Medicine Cabinet

[Discus_Dude]

Formalin & Malachite Green (such as Rid-Ich, Quick Cure)
Effective in the control of many diseases of freshwater fish caused by external parasites such as white spot disease, Ichthyophthirius, Costia, Trichodina, Chilodonella and saltwater external parasites such as Cryptocaryon and Amyloodinium. The medication can also treat fungal infections in fishes. It can affect the filter bed and be easily removed with activated carbon. Tank lights should be turned off during treatment.

Nitrofurazone & Furazolidone ( such as Furan-2 , Bi-Furan)
Contains two furan compounds to combat a wide variety of gram-positive & gram-negative bacterial diseases, including bacterial gill disease, open red sores (Aeromonas spp.), body slime & eye cloud, black molly disease (Flavobacterium columnaris) and fin & tail rot. For use in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. This medication will not harm the biological filter. Note: This medication will cause a slight discoloration of water which can be removed with activated carbon.

Metronidazole (such as Flagyl, Fish Zole et al)
Effective and safe treatment for several protozoan and anaerobic bacterial diseases of fish (Cryptocaryon, Hexamita, Ichthyophthirius). It does not adversely affect the filter bed and is easily removed with activated carbon.

Potassium Permanganate (such as Pond Oxy Clear, PP from Sears et al)
Treats a broad range of fish parasites. Acts as a disinfectant and breaks down organics. To be used with extreme caution.

Espsom Salt
Treats bloat and constipation.

Aquarium Salt


Treatments/Meds that I've used successfully. Feel free to add in this thread.

[Lady Hobbs]

Good hints and I will stickie it so it stays on top.
Thanks.

[Crispy]

Great writeup DD! Keep up the good work!

...there are always members asking about discus.

[Spardas]

Kanamycin, acriflavine, tetracycline, maracyn 2 - antibiotics

Levamisole, Flubendazole, Vermisol - de-wormers

Wild discus needs to be dewormed and domestic will also need to be dewormed from time to time.

[FishyPastor]

I have been hearing differing opinions on aquarium salt some say yes its good. But my local Pet store does not us it what so ever. So what's the straight scoop on aquarium salt then?

[aquariums+me=happy]

When I went to a certain Petco, they said salt was ABSUBLUTLY nessesary for all freshwater aquariums. Which is not true.

[tanks4thememories]

Salt has very specific uses in a FW aquarium. It is the source of an ongoing debate in the industry. Personally I only see need for it as a medication for use in Hospital tanks, and even then only for specific situations.

[Cermet]

Salt has very specific uses in a FW aquarium. It is the source of an ongoing debate in the industry. Personally I only see need for it as a medication for use in Hospital tanks, and even then only for specific situations.

Very true for most FW fish (relative to illness, I only know that ick can readily be treated with salt, not sure what other general uses salt has in the standard FW aquarium.) For a nitrite spike, it is critical but that isn't supposed to happen on a mature tank ... .

However, this is a thread for Discus meds to keep on hand and keeping aquarium salty is critical for all discus keepers; salt should always be the first treatment, along with high temperature (up to 90 for a week to ten days) to try when a discus is sick and you are not sure of the cause. It has worked wonders for my discus and experts also recommend salt/high temp. as well. Old discus are often kept in a tank with some salt.

[Elise]

Hello
Just getting back into Discus after a long hiatus. Running into a strange happening . Individual fish become shy, darken,(turning almost black) then seem to stop eating . Any ideas Water conditions appear perfect Elise