Medications available to the fish hobby are becoming increasingly more difficult to source due to tightening regulations. Some countries have made fish treatments prescription only, requiring a veterinary script. We are lucky in the United States to be able to still have access to most of these medications; however, we must use them correctly.
Resistance is created by improper dosing through using too low a dose, not following a proper dosing schedule or by not using for a minimum number of days. Once resistance occurs bacteria, fungus or parasites will no longer be treatable, which is the primary concern with tightening regulations. The FDA has been targeting antibiotics, with a goal to remove them from the general public and require veterinary evaluation to obtain a prescription for treatment.
The end of 2023, the FDA sent letters to large manufacturers and distributors. They were notified to stop making antibiotics available to the general public and given a timeline to allow the sale of currently available products, but to cease manufacture and distribution in 2024. This drastic action was deemed necessary due to the high occurrence of abuse, misuse and improper dosing. The types of bacteria becoming antibiotic resistant are now affecting human health worldwide. Honestly, it would not surprise me if one day soon antibiotics may require a veterinary script prior to purchasing or become unavailable in the hobby.
Please stop using antibiotics as a preventative. Some popular quarantine protocols are not using antibiotics wisely, claiming they are a preventative measure. I know many who followed this quarantine protocol and over time have wiped out their entire fishroom. 100% loss due to highly resistant bacteria! Don’t fall into this trap. It is plain irresponsible! Ornamental fish medications should never be used for prevention, unless the manufacturer states it as an option. The only one I know of is Chloroquine Phosphate due to the fact it is often dosed only once and done.
The goal of this website is to offer known and accepted dosing guidelines as well as provide warnings and feedback from customers who reported something unexpected. This website will be updated as new information is discovered and shared so that everyone keeping ornamental aquatic species can make informed decisions and use medications wisely.