"Methylene blue" for aquarium: description and instructions for use

Methylene blue is often used to treat fungal bacterial infections in fish and to disinfect aquarium water. This cheap drug becomes a real salvation for an artificial reservoir infected with parasites, bacteria and fungi. The methylene blue based solution is an effective antiseptic, but if used improperly can harm the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Methylene Blue is a fast-acting antiseptic drug that has a powerful analgesic and redox effect. The main active ingredient of the drug is methylthioninium chloride, an additional component is ethanol. The drug is also known under the trade names methylene blue and methylthioninium chloride.

"Methylene blue" has a disinfecting effect, is used for emergency and preventive treatment of artificial reservoirs, as well as an air conditioner. This agent is often used to clean the water in an aquarium before fish populate it, as well as if parasites have been found in the water. Methylene blue is often used as a preventive measure by adding the composition to water in low concentrations.

Aquarists note that this is a highly effective fast-acting drug, it costs literally a penny, in addition, its components do not have a negative effect on the inhabitants of the aquarium. Methylene blue comes in three flavors, such as:

• powder;
• crystals;
• solution.

Methylene blue powders and crystals can be bought at any pharmacy, and the solution is sold only in pet stores. As a rule, it is sold in 50 ml bottles exactly in the form in which it is allowed to be used in fish farming. Store the drug in a dark, dry place at a temperature no more than +25 degrees, placement in the refrigerator and even in the freezer is allowed.

The scope of use of "methylene blue" in aquaristics is very wide, it is most often used for fungal diseases, as well as for pathologies that are usually caused by unicellular parasites. The drug is effective in the treatment of several diseases.

• Aeromonosis. Among breeders, this disease is better known as carp rubella or abdominal dropsy. Some time after infection, the fish lose their appetite, they completely stop feeding, then they begin to show all the signs of bloating. Over time, the entire body of the fish becomes covered with reddish spots and large bloody smudges. In the treatment of this disease, methylene blue appears to be highly effective.
• Branchiomycosis - this is the so-called gill rot. Its first sign is the lethargy of the fish and the appearance of dark red stripes on the gills. In the absence of treatment, necrosis of the branchial lobes begins rather quickly, in which case they acquire a dirty gray tint.
• Gyrodactylosis - a disease caused by parasites - monogenetic flukes - gyrodactylus. Symptoms include a rapid change in fish species and behavior. The pet becomes stunted, becomes covered with a whitish mucous coating, and hemorrhages are noticeable on the fins.
• Tetrachimenosis Is another rather dangerous parasitic disease. However, with the right treatment, it goes away quickly without causing much damage to the health of the fish.
• "Methylene blue" is highly effective in dermatomycosis and branchiomycosis. In addition, the drug is often used to improve the development of eggs and prevent fungal infections.
• Blue has proven itself well in relieving symptoms of nitrate and nitrite poisoning., as well as in the therapy of blood pathology due to cyanide poisoning.
• Experts in aquarists also note that the use of "methylene blue" helps to improve tissue respiration of fish, relieve stress symptoms from them when moving to a new artificial reservoir. It is known that the drug is often used as one of the active ingredients in the manufacture of antibacterial feed.

It is convenient because destroys pathogenic microflora not only in liquid, but also on fish scales, and even in the oral cavity of animals.

Methylene Blue gives extremely good results in the fight against all kinds of fungal infections. If you find that growths or mucous discharge have appeared on the scales or gills of your pet, you should urgently start treatment. Methylene blue is very easy to use; even a novice aquarist can understand the instructions for the preparation. But an important requirement for the success of treatment will be compliance with the dosage, otherwise, instead of healing, the fish will start to feel even worse.

To treat the aquarium, you must use 20 drops of blue for every 50 liters of water. Please be aware that it is impossible to pour the whole solution into the water, it must first be dissolved in water in a separate bowl and then poured in in small portions.First, a third of the prepared composition is poured into the tank and gently mixed. After 30-40 minutes, another third is added, and after half an hour, the remnants are poured out. After five days, half of the aquarium water must be drained and clean - settled or distilled - added.

It is very important that the aquarium the compressor was working, creating the necessary aeration - only in this case, the drug can be evenly distributed throughout the entire water column. Over time, the dye is removed during water changes and filtration.

If several inhabitants of the aquarium are already sick, it is better to treat them in a separate tank. In this case, the dosages are slightly different: 25 ml of the drug should be dissolved in a bucket of water, sick fish should be kept in this solution about 3.5 hours. Such manipulations are needed repeat every other day, in most cases, the disease goes away after five treatments.

For the treatment of eggs from mycosis and other fungal pathologies, the solution should be less concentrated - usually 1 ml of blue is taken for 50 liters of water; eggs must be placed in this mixture for prevention. In case of problems with tissue respiration in aquarium inhabitants, 1 ml of the drug is taken for 75 liters of water. The fish should be kept in this water for about 5 days.

Despite the fact that methylene blue is characterized by exceptional usefulness and an impressive list of advantages, the tool still has its drawbacks and you need to learn more about them before you decide to use this drug. Among the disadvantages of using blueprint are the following:

• deterioration of the condition of aquatic plants;
• decrease in the efficiency of the biofilter system;
• painting the walls of an artificial reservoir in blue;
• if there is light soil in the aquarium, it is colored too;
• decorative elements installed at the bottom also acquire a pronounced bluish tint.

To reduce the risk of adverse effects, it is better to treat pets in a separate container, where baths are made to a sick pet... If you are carrying out a general sanitization of the aquarium, then first remove from it all the decorative elements that may get dirty, and after a few days it will be useful to clean the entire aquarium.

In the next video, you will find more information on the treatment of aquarium fish with methylene blue.