Stingrays and Medications - Why 'Baths' are less effective.

[Miles]

Interesting tid-bit I came across in my quest for eternal knowledge.. was reading a dialogue conversation with Dr. Richard Ross..

The question involved the injection of medications into stingrays, and in his answer he provided this important bit of knowledge;

(german translation)
"The other is the addition of drugs into the aquarium water is not very successful, since Rays no water to drink. Most drugs decompose after 8 hours and although a bit through the skin and the gills added, the effect is still minimal."

So basically.. Since Stingrays have a 'one-of-a-kind' osmoregulation system, and they do not 'drink' water like most other FW fish, bathing them in medications is far less effective. This is why PraziPro baths can be done in high dosages (2x) with no ill effects.. It is also why it is very important to try to get your ray to ingest anti-parasite medications if possible.

Enjoy!

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

good to know...

thanks for sharing, thou IMO the majority of ray owners are not comfortable injecting rays. i myself being one of them.

what about you other ray owners?

 

[Miles]

I second that thought!! I have injected earthworms however, it's fun!

 

[Hyen]

Good Info Miles...

 

[jubsy]

Thanks for new knowledge. Now I need a syringe!

 

[severum1]

That's why i was talking about putting shrimps in a bath with anti-parasite meds. But no one knows for sure if it's efective.

Is it?

 

[amazongirl]

It really depends on what you are treating for.

In the case of internal parasites (nemotodes, etc), an oral med is going to be the best option in most cases.

For something like gill flukes or some bacterial skin infections, a bath is going to be the best option.

For an infection that is systemic, injectible may work best.

It also depends on the med- some are best as an injectible, some oral, etc.

You really need to taylor your treatment to what you are dealing with.

 

[Miles]

I agree with Amazon girl..

I just thought this was an interesting bit of information.. Perhaps, IN COMPARISON to other fish, bathing medications are less effective.. ie: Bathing for Internal Parasites?

However, the administration of medication depends on the prognosis..

Thanks for clearing things up

 

[Nic]

I have injected earthworms and shrimp but want to learn to inject rays...

 

[Onion01]

hmmm, sounds sticky-worthy to me