Methylene Blue and Eggs

[SludgeMunkey]

As I harvest up another batch of eggs this season, I am curious about other member's experiences with meth blue as a fungal preventative with caudate eggs. I used it with decent success back in my fish rearing days, but I am a bit leery of using it with amphibians.

Any thoughts and or experiences with this practice would be greatly appreciated. While I generally do not have fungus issues with my egg layers, never before have I had eggs that were not in 1200+ size batches or of such a precious nature. (To date, I have not had any issues at all other than non-viable eggs "getting fuzzy", but I would like to be prepared just in case the issue may arise.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I've never tried it on caudates (haven't had an issue to date) but I have used it with great success on my dart frog eggs.

 

[Otterwoman]

I remember asking about this when I first joined the forum and was told it wasn't a good idea.

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f1173-...-gallery/39245-mytotally-unexpected-eggs.html

read down, starting at post 7.

 

[monkeyfrogman28]

I know it it used in the dart frog hobby, so maybe its alright?

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I'm curious to how he determined it weakened larva?

 

[Otterwoman]

That I don't know, you'll have to ask Michael.

 

[michael]

I'm curious to how he determined it weakened larva?

A good guess. Anecdotal evidence. When I used Methylene blue prophylactically I seemed to get better yields without it. Tadpoles and larvae sometimes became stained and did not thrive.
Lately I've taken to using alder cones for fungus prevention in eggs. Some make a tea from the cones. Some just plop cones in with the eggs.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Michael, have you tried blackwater extract? I've been using it in my larvae's water recently and haven't had any fungal issues.

 

[michael]

I havn't tried blackwater extract lately. I have a couple bags of alder cones I picked up at aquarium club and have been using them if things look a little funky. Their are a number of extracts and teas that should work well as fungusides. Lots of fish and frog people use almond leaves.