What should I expect when using antibiotics to treat fish

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Should I expect any bacterial blooms or an ammonia spike or just anything to look out for with antibiotics such as seachem, api or anything else?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Should I expect any bacterial blooms or an ammonia spike or just anything to look out for with antibiotics such as seachem, api or anything else?

You won't see a bacterial "bloom" when using an antibiotic - the antibiotic chosen will either not harm the beneficial bacteria, or it will harm it - but it won't cause a bloom.

Ammonia spikes are common with some antibiotics as they kill the beneficial bacteria, as well as the targeted pathogenic bacteria.

What antibiotic are you considering? I can possibly give you some insight as to if that one will cause problems or not. Erythromycin for example, is known to kill a portion of the beneficial bacteria in a tank.

 

[HAAAAAAAA]

You won't see a bacterial "bloom" when using an antibiotic - the antibiotic chosen will either not harm the beneficial bacteria, or it will harm it - but it won't cause a bloom.

Ammonia spikes are common with some antibiotics as they kill the beneficial bacteria, as well as the targeted pathogenic bacteria.

What antibiotic are you considering? I can possibly give you some insight as to if that one will cause problems or not. Erythromycin for example, is known to kill a portion of the beneficial bacteria in a tank.

Thank you for the insight, i wanted to keep as many possible antibiotics just incase, currently I have seachem neoplex and wanted to possibly get kanamycin aswell if it gets in stock and some others of your recommendation

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for the insight, i wanted to keep as many possible antibiotics just incase, currently I have seachem neoplex and wanted to possibly get kanamycin aswell if it gets in stock and some others of your recommendation

I use Neoplex for most general external bacterial problems in fish. Erythromycin helps with some eye issues. None of the tetracyclines work well in seawater.