Dear hobbyist:
Yes, sir, a quick dip in methylene blue could be helpful if your seahorse is exhibiting rapid respirations, huffing, labored breathing or other signs of respiratory distress. Commonly known as "meth blue" or simply "blue," this is a wonderful medication for reversing the toxic effects of ammonia and nitrite poisoning. Methylene blue transports oxygen and aids breathing. It facilitates oxygen transport, helping fish breathe more easily by converting methemoglobin to hemoglobin — the normal oxygen carrying component of fish blood, thus allowing more oxygen to be carried through the bloodstream. This makes it very useful for treating gill infections, low oxygen levels, or anytime your seahorses are breathing rapidly and experiencing respiratory distress. It is the drug of choice for treating hypoxic emergencies of any kind with your fish. However, methylene blue will destroy nitrifying bacteria so it should be used in a hospital tank or as a brief bath or dip only (if used in an established aquarium, it will impair the biological filtration and the tank may need to be cycled all over again).
If you can obtain the Kordon brand of Methylene Blue (available at most well-stocked local fish stores), there are instructions for administering it as a very brief, concentrated dip are as follows:
For use as a dip for treatment of fungus or external parasitic protozoans and cyanide poisoning:
(a) Prepare a nonmetallic container of sufficient size to contain the fish to be treated by adding water similar to the original aquarium.
(b) Add 5 teaspoons (24.65 ml) per 3 gallons of water. This produces a concentration of 50 ppm. It is not recommended that the concentration be increased beyond 50 ppm.
(c) Place fishes to be treated in this solution for no longer than 10 seconds.
(d) Return fish to original aquarium.
When you administer such a dip, hold the seahorse in your hand throughout the procedure and thymic closely so that the dip does not exceed 10 seconds.
It’s good that you have the trisulfa on hand so you can begin treatment promptly, but for best results, you must be sure to combine it with an aminoglycoside antibiotic such as neomycin sulfate or kanamycin sulfate. This will produce a synergistic combination of antibiotics that is much more effective than either medication used alone. Be sure to use the marine dose of the antibiotics that is appropriate for saltwater, rather than the freshwater dosage. You will want to maintain the treatment for at least five days.
Yes, Kordon recommends once a week for the formalin baths.
I would be happy to examine a photograph of the ailing seahorse. You can reach me at the following e-mail address: [email protected]
Good luck with your treatment regimen.
Respectfully,
Pete Giwojna
Ocean Rider, Inc. is an Organic Hawaiian-Based Seahorse Aqua-Farm & Aquarium that Follows Strict Good Farming Practices in Raising Seahorses and Other Aquatic Life.
