There is no such thing as a cure-all, but Seachem Paraguard is as close as you’re going to get. Many people’s recommendation to treat fish involves salt regardless of the illness. Thus, it is a must-have medication for your aquarium, but in reality, the must-have medication is Paraguard.
- This product is easy to use
- This product adds a great value
- This product is manufactured in United States
Salt can be harmful to fish like corydoras catfish or plecos, and many plants don’t tolerate salt well. Salt is also not nearly effective enough, in my opinion, to warrant the side effects.
I view it as an old-fashioned method of treatment. Because an older generation is running many local fish stores, they often pass along their perception of salt treatments, and thus the cycle of misinformation continues.
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About Seachem Paraguard:
According to Seachem, Paraguard uses a “proprietary, synergistic blend of aldehydes, malachite green and fish protective polymers that effectively and efficiently eradicates many ectoparasites (ich, etc.) as well as external fungal/bacterial/viral lesions like fin rot.”
Seachem doesn’t market Paraguard as being plant and invertebrate safe. They say it would be impossible to test it with every plant and invert it under possible water parameters.
However, from personal experience, I can attest that Paraguard is a highly safe medication that you can use in planted aquariums, aquariums with scaleless fish like corydoras catfish, and aquariums with inverts such as snails.
Paraguard is also safe in a sense it won’t harm your beneficial bacteria bed, causing your tank to crash, and in all likelihood, it won’t stain your silicone and decor. There is the chance of minimal stains as there is malachite green in the medication, but I’ve never heard of it causing any stains.
I have also personally used it many times, and never have I encountered any issues with it staining or even tinting the water a different color. It does come out of the bottle an intense blue, but it has no noticeable effect on the color of the tank water after a few seconds of it entering the aquarium.
Why is it a Must Have?
Seachem Paraguard is a must-have medication in your cabinet for numerous reasons. I like that it’s a very safe medication that is well-tolerated by all types of fish. I’ve used it with scaleless fish like Figure Eight Puffers and corydoras catfish.
I’ve used it with Nertie Snails, Red Cherry Shrimp, and many community fish like German Blue Rams, Tetras, and Guppies. Another big reason I use it is because of its versatility.
If you aren’t exactly sure what is wrong with your fish, then Paraguard is always a good choice; it is safe and effective, but it treats such a wide range of illnesses that you can successfully treat many different diseases without a proper diagnosis.
Its versatility also comes in handy when dealing with multiple diseases simultaneously. It also helps prevent secondary infections when an illness already comprises a fish’s immune system.
I have successfully treated ich, fin rot, and fungal infections with Paraguard. I also dip all incoming plants in it overnight to reduce the risk of ich outbreaks in my main tanks.
Personally, I have successfully treated ich, fin rot, and fungal infections with Paraguard. I also dip all incoming plants in it overnight to greatly reduce the risk of ich outbreaks in my main tanks.
Dosing Directions:
Paraguard is a straightforward medication to dose; however, you should follow the dosing directions provided below (from Seachem’s website) to ensure safety and effectiveness.
“In the aquarium, use 5 ml (1 capful) to every 40 L (10 gallons*). Repeat daily as required as long as the fish show no stress. For 1 hour dips, use 3 mL per 4 L (1-gallon *). Dips may be extended if fish show no evidence of stress.”
Water changes during treatment aren’t necessary as, after 24 hours, Paraguard is no longer active and will not build up to toxic levels. This also means that you must repeat the dose daily to achieve maximum effectiveness.
Suppose water changes are required for any other reason. In that case, you should change the water and then do that day’s dosage of Paraguard immediately after the water change to ensure you’re maintaining a therapeutic dosage in the water column.
If you have any other questions about Seachem Paraguard, feel free to message me on our Facebook page, and I will be sure to get back to you as soon as I possibly can!
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