Post by amanichen on Feb 6, 2006 19:34:15 GMT -5
This is an unofficial public service announcement. That means I'm telling this as some guy off the street who knows lots about fish, and not as a HB moderator.
Why:
Up until recently, antibiotics intended for use on ornamental aquarium fish have been available easily, and at very low cost to consumers.
In the past few months though, medications have been disappearing from store shelves. For example, Aquatronics is in the process of restructuring its business (and probably will only sell to professionals in the future) and other commonly available medications have been disappearing.
A possible explanation for this is new regulations governing the sale of antibiotics intended for minor animals. This article details a new act which was signed into law to regulate pharmaceutical products which could be produced for, and sold in pet stores:
www.appma.org/leglibrary_article.asp?topic=17
Basically, from the research I've done so far points to the fact that the FDA is introducing regulations to prevent the abuse of aquarium medications. The reason for the regulation, as I understand it, is mainly in response to people using antibiotics on themselves, as cheap alternatives to expensive, and difficult to obtain prescriptions.
What it means for fish keepers:
Up until now the aquarium industry has been self-regulating, but this is rapidly coming to an end. This means that that most antibiotics that can be used by humans will no longer be easily available in stores. You may have to jump through some hoops in order to get certain medications.
What should fishkeepers do about it:
Keeping a clean aquarium and a proper habitat for your fish has always been important, regardless of how many medications you can buy off of a store shelf. Too many fishkeepers are dependent on medications rather than good fishkeeping practices. The only thing you should do about it is ensure the best care possible for your fish, and choose your new arrivals carefully.
Final words:
I don't want to leave with you with the impression that this is some sort of doomsday scenario for fishkeeping, merely I that you should understand that you don't have to rely on medications to keep your fish healthy.
Why:
Up until recently, antibiotics intended for use on ornamental aquarium fish have been available easily, and at very low cost to consumers.
In the past few months though, medications have been disappearing from store shelves. For example, Aquatronics is in the process of restructuring its business (and probably will only sell to professionals in the future) and other commonly available medications have been disappearing.
A possible explanation for this is new regulations governing the sale of antibiotics intended for minor animals. This article details a new act which was signed into law to regulate pharmaceutical products which could be produced for, and sold in pet stores:
www.appma.org/leglibrary_article.asp?topic=17
Basically, from the research I've done so far points to the fact that the FDA is introducing regulations to prevent the abuse of aquarium medications. The reason for the regulation, as I understand it, is mainly in response to people using antibiotics on themselves, as cheap alternatives to expensive, and difficult to obtain prescriptions.
What it means for fish keepers:
Up until now the aquarium industry has been self-regulating, but this is rapidly coming to an end. This means that that most antibiotics that can be used by humans will no longer be easily available in stores. You may have to jump through some hoops in order to get certain medications.
What should fishkeepers do about it:
Keeping a clean aquarium and a proper habitat for your fish has always been important, regardless of how many medications you can buy off of a store shelf. Too many fishkeepers are dependent on medications rather than good fishkeeping practices. The only thing you should do about it is ensure the best care possible for your fish, and choose your new arrivals carefully.
Final words:
I don't want to leave with you with the impression that this is some sort of doomsday scenario for fishkeeping, merely I that you should understand that you don't have to rely on medications to keep your fish healthy.
