Common Antibiotics: Breakdown

[ngoodermuth]

I've compiled a brief guide to commonly used antibiotics/medications for treating bacterial infections. This gives a run-down on which are helpful for what, and which are able to be used together.

Note: The majority of these treatments should be done in a hospital or QT tank with no rock or sand and plenty of aeration.

Acriflavine: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container (5g bucket), effective when used in conjunction with antibiotics for treating aggressive infections. Also has anti-parasitic qualities, can be used to help combat Brooklynella. Common sources: Ruby Reef Rally, Acriflavine-ms, API Fungus Cure.

Methylene Blue: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container, helpful as a “first response” in treating injuries and ammonia burns.

Kanaplex (kanamycin): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections, also can be combined with Furan-2 and Metroplex when treating severe infections. Kanaplex can be bound to food using seachem Focus, and fed to fish to treat INTERNAL infections, or as a last-resort, in-reef antibiotic treatment.

Furan-2(nitrofurazone/furazolidone): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections; can be combined with Kanaplex and Metroplex for severe infections. Can also be used with Triple Sulfa or Sulfaplex to treat severe infections if NFG is not available.

Metroplex (Metronidazole): Anti-parasitic. Primarily used as an anti-parasitic against intestinal flagellates, uronema, and brookylnella, although it also has antibiotic properties. Can be used in conjunction with Kanaplex and Furan-2 for severe infections.

Neoplex (neomycin): Antibiotic. Same active ingredient as the topical ointment, Neosporin. May help in treating injuries/abrasions. Also, some evidence that it could be useful in treating INTERNAL infections when bound to food with Focus.

Enrythromycin: Antibiotic. Commonly used to treat eye infections. Can be mixed with minocycline (Ex. Maracyn 1 + Maracyn 2) for a wider spectrum. Can also be used with Epsom salt for pop eye/swelling.

Nitrofuracin Green: Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Very effective in treating severe infections, and the dreaded gram-negative bacteria. Combines nitrofurazone, Sulfathiazole sodium (another antibiotic), methelyne blue, and sodium chloride.

The Sulfa Drugs: Sulfaplex and API Triple Sulfa. Antibiotics. The API drug can very effective in clearing infection, but generally harsher on the fish than some of the other options listed above. Contains sulfacetamide sodium, sulfamethazine, and sulfathiazole. Can be used with Furan-2 for severe infections if NFG is not available.

I hope this post is helpful in deciding which course of treatment is best...I learned most of what is written here from @Humblefish on the fly during my own QT adventures [emoji23]

Happy reefing!

 

[Humblefish]

Excellent! Thank you for putting this together.

 

[aykwm]

Thanks for the Excellent post.
Too bad half of these are not available here, but I should look for them and be more specific with the infection type. Luckily, Kanaplex and Metroplex are working great so far along with an acriflavine bath.

 

[melypr1985]

Thank you! This is really great.

 

[nanomania]

Wonderful...

 

[Maritimer]

Just what the Doctor ordered!

Great to have all these compiled together for quick reference.

~Bruce

 

[Rython]

This is very useful. A friend was just asking me about when to use various antibiotics that we keep and I referred to this. Thanks for posting.

 

[ngoodermuth]

*Updated the post to reflect recent treatment options, particularly with Furan-2 + one of the Sulfa medications as a substitute for NFG in a pinch*

 

[SDK]

Make this a sticky please!

 

[Dragonreef202]

Thank you for this list. I have a few of these medications I will be getting the rest

I've compiled a brief guide to commonly used antibiotics/medications for treating bacterial infections. This gives a run-down on which are helpful for what, and which are able to be used together.

Note: The majority of these treatments should be done in a hospital or QT tank with no rock or sand and plenty of aeration.

Acriflavine: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container (5g bucket), effective when used in conjunction with antibiotics for treating aggressive infections. Also has anti-parasitic qualities, can be used to help combat Brooklynella. Common sources: Ruby Reef Rally, Acriflavine-ms, API Fungus Cure.

Methylene Blue: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container, helpful as a “first response” in treating injuries and ammonia burns.

Kanaplex (kanamycin): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections, also can be combined with Furan-2 and Metroplex when treating severe infections. Kanaplex can be bound to food using seachem Focus, and fed to fish to treat INTERNAL infections, or as a last-resort, in-reef antibiotic treatment.

Furan-2(nitrofurazone/furazolidone): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections; can be combined with Kanaplex and Metroplex for severe infections. Can also be used with Triple Sulfa or Sulfaplex to treat severe infections if NFG is not available.

Metroplex (Metronidazole): Anti-parasitic. Primarily used as an anti-parasitic against intestinal flagellates, uronema, and brookylnella, although it also has antibiotic properties. Can be used in conjunction with Kanaplex and Furan-2 for severe infections.

Neoplex (neomycin): Antibiotic. Same active ingredient as the topical ointment, Neosporin. May help in treating injuries/abrasions. Also, some evidence that it could be useful in treating INTERNAL infections when bound to food with Focus.

Enrythromycin: Antibiotic. Commonly used to treat eye infections. Can be mixed with minocycline (Ex. Maracyn 1 + Maracyn 2) for a wider spectrum. Can also be used with Epsom salt for pop eye/swelling.

Nitrofuracin Green: Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Very effective in treating severe infections, and the dreaded gram-negative bacteria. Combines nitrofurazone, Sulfathiazole sodium (another antibiotic), methelyne blue, and sodium chloride.

The Sulfa Drugs: Sulfaplex and API Triple Sulfa. Antibiotics. The API drug can very effective in clearing infection, but generally harsher on the fish than some of the other options listed above. Contains sulfacetamide sodium, sulfamethazine, and sulfathiazole. Can be used with Furan-2 for severe infections if NFG is not available.

I hope this post is helpful in deciding which course of treatment is best...I learned most of what is written here from @Humblefish on the fly during my own QT adventures [emoji23]

Happy reefing!

 

[FishFamily]

I've compiled a brief guide to commonly used antibiotics/medications for treating bacterial infections. This gives a run-down on which are helpful for what, and which are able to be used together.

Note: The majority of these treatments should be done in a hospital or QT tank with no rock or sand and plenty of aeration.

Acriflavine: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container (5g bucket), effective when used in conjunction with antibiotics for treating aggressive infections. Also has anti-parasitic qualities, can be used to help combat Brooklynella. Common sources: Ruby Reef Rally, Acriflavine-ms, API Fungus Cure.

Methylene Blue: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container, helpful as a “first response” in treating injuries and ammonia burns.

Kanaplex (kanamycin): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections, also can be combined with Furan-2 and Metroplex when treating severe infections. Kanaplex can be bound to food using seachem Focus, and fed to fish to treat INTERNAL infections, or as a last-resort, in-reef antibiotic treatment.

Furan-2(nitrofurazone/furazolidone): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections; can be combined with Kanaplex and Metroplex for severe infections. Can also be used with Triple Sulfa or Sulfaplex to treat severe infections if NFG is not available.

Metroplex (Metronidazole): Anti-parasitic. Primarily used as an anti-parasitic against intestinal flagellates, uronema, and brookylnella, although it also has antibiotic properties. Can be used in conjunction with Kanaplex and Furan-2 for severe infections.

Neoplex (neomycin): Antibiotic. Same active ingredient as the topical ointment, Neosporin. May help in treating injuries/abrasions. Also, some evidence that it could be useful in treating INTERNAL infections when bound to food with Focus.

Enrythromycin: Antibiotic. Commonly used to treat eye infections. Can be mixed with minocycline (Ex. Maracyn 1 + Maracyn 2) for a wider spectrum. Can also be used with Epsom salt for pop eye/swelling.

Nitrofuracin Green: Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Very effective in treating severe infections, and the dreaded gram-negative bacteria. Combines nitrofurazone, Sulfathiazole sodium (another antibiotic), methelyne blue, and sodium chloride.

The Sulfa Drugs: Sulfaplex and API Triple Sulfa. Antibiotics. The API drug can very effective in clearing infection, but generally harsher on the fish than some of the other options listed above. Contains sulfacetamide sodium, sulfamethazine, and sulfathiazole. Can be used with Furan-2 for severe infections if NFG is not available.

I hope this post is helpful in deciding which course of treatment is best...I learned most of what is written here from @Humblefish on the fly during my own QT adventures [emoji23]

Happy reefing!

Hi all, looking for info on maracyn2 and neoplex? Fish has been diagnosed with columnaris and fighting infection since October 2022. Infection begins to clear w/treatment over a month or so with steady improvement, then has a week or so of bigger improvement (we’ve even gotten as well as just having a spot or 2 left!) but then - BOOM - all of a sudden he takes a turn and gets MUCH worse over 24-48 hrs (so the assumption is the fish has become resistant to some or all of treatment).

We’ve tried:
-Methylene blue and kanaplex (great results and then had the BOOM described above)
-kanaplex on it’s own in tank and food but didn’t working)
-kanaplex tank treat and neoplex food treat (worked but had the BOOM)
-neoplex (worked really and did best w/treating both tank and food simultaneously. BOOM *just* happened).
-I think we also tried fin cure, before this last round of neoplex but had covid ourselves over this period so it’s a little blurry.

Neoplex just stopped working in the last 48hrs (BOOM). I have sulfaplex, polyguard, and maracyn2 on hand. Malachite green is no longer manufactured.

What’s the next step in terms of strength and combinations? We are thinking of trying maracyn2 or sulfaplex in the tank while continuing neoplex in his food. Neoplex in food has consistently brought positive change.

Lastly…
Sorry to ask on old post but this is the best breakdown of antibiotics I’ve seen in the last few years! Kudos to NGuderMuth if they are still around!

 

[Peace River]

#fishmedics

 

[AquaLogic]

Very helpful thank you. Furan-2 no longer exists. Is polyguard a good substitute?

 

[musel101]

I've compiled a brief guide to commonly used antibiotics/medications for treating bacterial infections. This gives a run-down on which are helpful for what, and which are able to be used together.

Note: The majority of these treatments should be done in a hospital or QT tank with no rock or sand and plenty of aeration.

Acriflavine: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container (5g bucket), effective when used in conjunction with antibiotics for treating aggressive infections. Also has anti-parasitic qualities, can be used to help combat Brooklynella. Common sources: Ruby Reef Rally, Acriflavine-ms, API Fungus Cure.

Methylene Blue: Antiseptic. Used as a bath or dip in a separate container, helpful as a “first response” in treating injuries and ammonia burns.

Kanaplex (kanamycin): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections, also can be combined with Furan-2 and Metroplex when treating severe infections. Kanaplex can be bound to food using seachem Focus, and fed to fish to treat INTERNAL infections, or as a last-resort, in-reef antibiotic treatment.

Furan-2(nitrofurazone/furazolidone): Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Effective in treating a range of bacterial infections; can be combined with Kanaplex and Metroplex for severe infections. Can also be used with Triple Sulfa or Sulfaplex to treat severe infections if NFG is not available.

Metroplex (Metronidazole): Anti-parasitic. Primarily used as an anti-parasitic against intestinal flagellates, uronema, and brookylnella, although it also has antibiotic properties. Can be used in conjunction with Kanaplex and Furan-2 for severe infections.

Neoplex (neomycin): Antibiotic. Same active ingredient as the topical ointment, Neosporin. May help in treating injuries/abrasions. Also, some evidence that it could be useful in treating INTERNAL infections when bound to food with Focus.

Enrythromycin: Antibiotic. Commonly used to treat eye infections. Can be mixed with minocycline (Ex. Maracyn 1 + Maracyn 2) for a wider spectrum. Can also be used with Epsom salt for pop eye/swelling.

Nitrofuracin Green: Wide-spectrum antibiotic. Very effective in treating severe infections, and the dreaded gram-negative bacteria. Combines nitrofurazone, Sulfathiazole sodium (another antibiotic), methelyne blue, and sodium chloride.

The Sulfa Drugs: Sulfaplex and API Triple Sulfa. Antibiotics. The API drug can very effective in clearing infection, but generally harsher on the fish than some of the other options listed above. Contains sulfacetamide sodium, sulfamethazine, and sulfathiazole. Can be used with Furan-2 for severe infections if NFG is not available.

I hope this post is helpful in deciding which course of treatment is best...I learned most of what is written here from @Humblefish on the fly during my own QT adventures [emoji23]

Happy reefing!

Wow, this is so helpful thank