Med absorption

[aquafish]

I just read the sticky of "guide to fish disease", and found the links to be very helpful!

Given the resourcefulness of the members on the board, I hope someone will know this. Kanaplex from Seachem and Maracyn-2 from Mardel are both boosted as meds that the fish will absorb internally in a therapeutic level. What I'm wondering is how the companies have substantiate the claim. I've searched online, and other than people quoting what the manufacturer says, there's little to no evidence that they work as claim. All I know is that freshwater fish don't drink, so I'm skeptical whether they do work or not. No scientific reports or books I can find make such claims.

My betta has developed an onset of dropsy. I've put him in a 5 gallon hospital tank, treating with maracyn-2. I've put in 1/8 tsp of epsom salt and no aquarium salt in the water. I've set the heater to 74F. I'm wondering if it's worth the hassel to order Kanaplex online since i can't find it locally. Do they really get into the fish's body??

[Melody]

Most, including Mardel, utilize a process which strips the slime coat and allows the meds to be absorbed through the skin from 'biospheres' which attach to the fish. That is my understanding of it anyway. I'm not aware of any studies on the effectiveness.

That said, I do know that most conditions are better treated with oral antibiotics, which aren't available in Canada without a perscription. Chances are if you can't find a med in Canada, its not approved for use here. You can empty a capsule of antibiotic powder and mix it with food, but its difficult to know how much the fish actually gets before the medication disipates.

I have never had luck with antibiotics and in fact, they've always seemed to make things worse. Most cases of 'dropsy' in Bettas is actually constipation so the Epsom salts may help. Turning up the heat a degree or two may also help. You can also feed peeled, softened & quartered peas and/or Daphnia to treat constipation. Dropsy as a disease symptom is rarely treatable, I'm afraid. It isn't actually a disease, but a symptom of an advanced infection or internal injury.

I hope its constipation that you're dealing with. Best of luck with him!