API (Aquarium Pharmaceuticals inc.) and other medications SAFE ??? or HAZARDOUS ???

[andyng00]

Id like to talk today about API and other medicine for aquatic organisms are they safe for axies ??? as you may know direct medication for amphibians are elusive, which is why we have to resort to some medications for fishes and the like, tell us about your experiences, observations and your comments about such products




(WARNING: SOME MEDICATIONS FOR FISHES ARE HARMFUL FOR SCALELESS MARINE ORGANISMS EVEN FISH USE CAUTION WHEN APPLYING KNOWLEDGE FROM THIS THREAD UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY SURE)

 

[michael]

I use Furan 2 and API dechlorinator with good results with salamanders. I think you might have better response if you list specific medications. I would not go by what the manufacturer says.

 

[andyng00]

ive been using API products for some time now, may not be all of them but ive tried the stresszhyme and stresscoat and both are absolutely safe haven't encountered any side effects just follow the instruction on the bottle

also tried using pimafix an anti-fungal it was effective in clearing up the fungus on the axies gills but made the water murky and green but after a 60% water change everything was back to normal (not completely tested and observed yet, though)

STRESSZHYME: a bacteria starter, helps in tank cycling (converts ammonia) good for setting up a new tank and water change but not good used on a consecutive basis, axies might adapt and get used to it twice a month is good besides you don't need to always use it if you got a good filter running

STRESSCOAT: fish and water conditioner, good for giving preventives for axies also replaces natural slime coat, use the directions for dosing, no side effects but fills your aquarium walls with axies natural slime which sometimes clogs up the filter not bad to the axies but not so elegant to see, so use when needed or when changing water, safe for axies because contain only herbal and natural ingredients



haven't tried other products from API yet, though, thinking about melafix as another preventive

 

[Kaysie]

There's a list of meds commonly considered safe for amphibs here. Melafix is NOT one of them. I also don't recommend stresszyme. If you have an appropriate amount of bacteria to perform your nitrogen cycle, it's unnecessary and basically a waste of money. There is anecdotal evidence of stresscoat inhibiting axolotl gill growth. Don't you think if it's mucking up your filter, it's not doing something to your axolotl?

As a note, there are very few instances where I would recommend putting medication directly into the tank. You should always treat your animal in a separate hospital tank/tub to avoid long-term exposure (poisoning), or to avoid crashing your cycle. Even 'herbal' treatments can be dangerous. Don't assume 'herbal' and 'natural' equal safe. I could go eat some nightshade out in my field. It's natural, and organic even! But I guarantee it'd be the last salad I ate.

Remember folks, Axolotls are not fish, and should not be treated as such.

 

[andyng00]

There's a list of meds commonly considered safe for amphibs here. Melafix is NOT one of them. I also don't recommend stresszyme. If you have an appropriate amount of bacteria to perform your nitrogen cycle, it's unnecessary and basically a waste of money. There is anecdotal evidence of stresscoat inhibiting axolotl gill growth. Don't you think if it's mucking up your filter, it's not doing something to your axolotl?

As a note, there are very few instances where I would recommend putting medication directly into the tank. You should always treat your animal in a separate hospital tank/tub to avoid long-term exposure (poisoning), or to avoid crashing your cycle. Even 'herbal' treatments can be dangerous. Don't assume 'herbal' and 'natural' equal safe. I could go eat some nightshade out in my field. It's natural, and organic even! But I guarantee it'd be the last salad I ate.

Remember folks, Axolotls are not fish, and should not be treated as such.

i see ... im just stating my experience with such medications im not exactly saying use it, as ive said on the title "use, if you think its safe" anyway sorry sorry

 

[Kaysie]

Andy, no need to apologize at all. We just want everyone to be as well-educated as possible!

 

[andyng00]

Andy, no need to apologize at all. We just want everyone to be as well-educated as possible!

very much agreed

 

[Kribby]

Just thought I'd way in since someone mentioned stress coats. I've handled a fair amount of aquatic animals and I've used just about every dechlor available at some point.

I tend to use one called Prime from seachem right now. It is your general dechlore, but unlike other brands it doesn't replace an animals natural slimecoat with a manufactured one and doesn't add aloe or any other uncesseray organics to the water.

A healthy animal shouldn't need to have us add gunk to the water. It is along the same lines as saying, "People have natural oils... so lets coat them in canola oil if they have dry skin"

 

[lollypop]

Just got to say about stresscoat. (as was discussed on another thread)
I have used this on my axies (and other animals) for years with no problems. Now I know this is one a lot of people don't recommend and I did once try and change them over, to whit they all got real poorly. Now I don't overdose on (as recommended if there poorly or as a pick up) I have a doser that dishes it out 1mill at a time. And I used just the amount needed for getting rid of the cloramine.

Now it could be my water, it could be numerous factors, and to some extent it goes back to what works for one person won't work for another.

But don't take this as a recommendation for one product over another, (or for this one ).

Just trying to give all sides of the argument (for want of a better word)

:happy: