Emergency Medicine Chest for Fish
These are things you should have on hand for the treatment of sick or injured fish in case of emergency. Emergencies do happen and it helps to be prepared, so here is my list: these are the MINIMUMS everyone should have on hand.
The first list was posted to Rec.Ponds by Bonnie E. Hale in February 1999 (emphasis added)
* Medicated food both Romet B and Oxytetracyline (can be frozen for up to a year).
* A very reliable pond thermometer.
*Salt non iodized table salt will work. If using Kosher salt make sure it does not contain YPS read the label. I use water softener salt, it's cheap, but it takes awhile to dissolve the pellets. In an emergency use table salt.
*Potassium Permanganate or mercurochrome or betadine or methiolate(sp?). If you can get panalog from your vet, do that too.
*Ammonia test kit is a must. Chlorine tester if you have city water is also a must. NitrIte and PH testers should also be on hand but not as important if money is tight.
*Ammonia Detoxifier (it too has a long shelf life if kept where it does not freeze).
*Hydrogen peroxide from the store. This is used to add to water if you lose your power. Purchase several bottles and keep on hand should you lose your power. Use about 1 capful per gallon of water. Do not pour this on the fish and make sure it gets mixed in well with the water. Use your hand or a stick to mix it with water if you have no power.
* Purchase a small sponge filter and pump combo. Keep this in your pond. If you have to remove a fish from the pond to a hospital tank use that pump and filter in the hospital tank as it will have bacteria established to keep ammonia under control.
*Heavy bag for bagging fish.
*Small airstone and pump to put in bag if fish has to be floated for a long period of time.
Medicine Chest for Goldfish from Dr. Solo posted to Rec.Ponds Aug. 1998.
-- Rock salt, NovAqua, PolyAqua for water conditioning and soothing gills. Water softener salt called "solar salt" is great. LFS.
-- Hydrogen peroxide and neosporin creme for topical application. Wound Control for open wounds. LFS.
-- 3- 5 gallon buckets (from local bakery), an extra tank heater , extra airstone and small air pump. These are used in bucket method and double as temporary quarantine tanks when you simply cannot walk out of the store without a fish.
-- Quick Cure and potassium permanganate for parasite control. PP can also be found at water softening companies, farm stores, drug stores (sometimes).
-- Romet B antibiotic food, TMP-4 with trimetheprim for bacteria. Injectable Baytril and needles.
-- Epsom salts.
For TMP-4, potassium permanganate and oxolinic acid: Fishy Fharmacy
1-800-423-2035. For Romet B, Aquadine and Biokyowa food: Dandys Orandas 1-334-649-4790 (lazulifawn@aol.com), Quick Cure: local pet store and MOPS, potassium permanganate: drugstores and water softening companies, Panalog and injectable Baytril: a cooperative vet.
