Salt or potassium permanganate bath for torn fin/fin rot?

[elbereth]

I just noticed one of my baby Delhezi's fins is a bit torn with some red on part of the edge. He always hides so I wasn't able to see when this happened - only saw now because I transferred him into a different tank. I just read about potassium permanganate baths the other day so I was thinking of doing a 5 minute PP bath and then adding aquarium salt to his tank but I can't find any info on whether PP is safe for polys. Any advice would be much appreciated. (I should add that most meds of worth are nearly impossible to get here in Canada so I have to work with what I have and I want to treat promptly.)
Thank you!

 

[kno4te]

It’s safe for polys. I’d lean toward the salt first.

 

[elbereth]

It’s safe for polys. I’d lean toward the salt first.

Thanks for such a quick reply!
Is that because PP is a little harsh on the fish?

 

[kno4te]

Thanks for such a quick reply!
Is that because PP is a little harsh on the fish?

It can be due to its oxidizing effect.

 

[Rocksor]

Thanks for such a quick reply!
Is that because PP is a little harsh on the fish?

yes, and if you get the dosage wrong, it can kill the fish.

I've used salt, methylene blue, and paraguard on polys with no issue. My go to for wounds on polys is methylene blue.

 

[elbereth]

I was going to use the dosage here: http://www.theaquariumwiki.com/wiki/Potassium_permanganate (1/8 tsp. per 8L of water). But thank you for the warning. I'll try to save that for use as a last resort then.

I was given some methylene blue by a fellow hobbyist long ago but it's not in it's original packaging and it's been a few years now so I don't remember how to dose it. Is it possible to approximate the concentration of methylene blue from the solution colour to try a dip? (I've read it's a safer compound; otherwise I wouldn't ask about approximating.) Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to buy any fresh MB promptly.

 

[elbereth]

I was able to track down the person I got the MB from so hopefully she'll be able to give me dosing instructions. Should I add aquarium salt to the tank as well give the fish an MB bath?

 

[Rocksor]

I was able to track down the person I got the MB from so hopefully she'll be able to give me dosing instructions. Should I add aquarium salt to the tank as well give the fish an MB bath?

I've done both at the same time before, no issue on the poly. The salt in the tank will prevent bacterial growth on a poly wound.

 

[elbereth]

Thank you very much!

 

[Fishman Dave]

If using MB, generally would recommend increasing airation too.