Prophylactic antibiotic for betta?

[dragon]

I just brought a new betta home yesterday I got from the local PetCo.
I'm wondering if there would be any harm in giving it a round of
antibiotics just to make sure it's not carrying any diseases. I've had
problems with fish from PetCo in the past, and I always thought I'd try
this if I ever got any more. Well, here I am with a new fishie, but
now I'm curious what others might think of this idea. Any clues
appreciated.

dragon

[Gill Passman]

"dragon" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> I just brought a new betta home yesterday I got from the local PetCo.
> I'm wondering if there would be any harm in giving it a round of
> antibiotics just to make sure it's not carrying any diseases. I've had
> problems with fish from PetCo in the past, and I always thought I'd try
> this if I ever got any more. Well, here I am with a new fishie, but
> now I'm curious what others might think of this idea. Any clues
> appreciated.
>
> dragon
>

If he isn't sick I wouldn't medicate him and certainly not antibiotics.
Misuse of antibiotics in both humans and the animal world is leading to
resistance to these valuable drugs. Ideally quarantine him until you are
sure that he is free from any diseases.

Gill

[NetMax]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "dragon" > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>> I just brought a new betta home yesterday I got from the local PetCo.
>> I'm wondering if there would be any harm in giving it a round of
>> antibiotics just to make sure it's not carrying any diseases. I've
>> had
>> problems with fish from PetCo in the past, and I always thought I'd
>> try
>> this if I ever got any more. Well, here I am with a new fishie, but
>> now I'm curious what others might think of this idea. Any clues
>> appreciated.
>>
>> dragon
>>
>
> If he isn't sick I wouldn't medicate him and certainly not antibiotics.
> Misuse of antibiotics in both humans and the animal world is leading to
> resistance to these valuable drugs. Ideally quarantine him until you
> are
> sure that he is free from any diseases.
>
> Gill


I agree, but more particularly because your choice of prophylactic would
be stressful (on top of the stress of transport and different water). A
more passive prophylactic might be garlic (drops or in their food),
Melafix, bit of salt, etc, though I recommend you use nothing as this
will be its new environment, and let him acclimate to it. Just a bit of
live/frozen food for conditioning and warm clean water.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Tynk]

No way!
Never use any meds for "just in case".
It's not good for the fish, it's not good for the tank, it's not good
for the antibiotics out there because of the germs growing resistant to
them via over use.
So, yes, there would be harm if you did it.