For those who can not find Finquel
Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:59 pm
I was thinking about this last night, and thought I'd put a little notice up here in the Hospital forum that may help those of you outside the US who can not get their hands on Finquel or Tranquil brand fish tranquilizers. (At the time I write this, Finquel is available here: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=12271)
These products are simply a name brand distribution of a laboratory chemical, tricaine methanesulfonate, also referred to as MS-222. This is a common chemical used in veterinary work with fish and reptiles, or on fish breeding farms (for food or ornamental).
**Also note, the spelling of the name brand is Finquel.. not Finquil. I make this mistake quite often and therefore can not find it when I am doing a search**
The chemical may be sold under a different brand name, or simply not available to the general public via fish stores the way it is in the US (and even here, we can have a heck of a time finding it, it is often on backorder).
You may have better luck contacting local veterinarians, especially those who practice in "exotic" animals, or search out fish breeding farms. The fish farms might not be able to sell you the product, depending on how it is regulated, but they may be able to help you find a source for it. I believe a veterinarian would be able to find the product for you, however you would have to discuss it with them to see if they would be able to sell it to you or if it is only usable under veterinarian supervision.
Ask for the chemical name, tricaine methanesulfonate or MS-222, not "Finquel", as they are not likely to have the specific brand name.
I hope this helps some of you who are having difficulty finding a more safe option for tranquilizing your fish than clove oil, as we are hearing more and more accounts of diminished health and even death of the fish after sedation with clove oil.
These products are simply a name brand distribution of a laboratory chemical, tricaine methanesulfonate, also referred to as MS-222. This is a common chemical used in veterinary work with fish and reptiles, or on fish breeding farms (for food or ornamental).
**Also note, the spelling of the name brand is Finquel.. not Finquil. I make this mistake quite often and therefore can not find it when I am doing a search**
The chemical may be sold under a different brand name, or simply not available to the general public via fish stores the way it is in the US (and even here, we can have a heck of a time finding it, it is often on backorder).
You may have better luck contacting local veterinarians, especially those who practice in "exotic" animals, or search out fish breeding farms. The fish farms might not be able to sell you the product, depending on how it is regulated, but they may be able to help you find a source for it. I believe a veterinarian would be able to find the product for you, however you would have to discuss it with them to see if they would be able to sell it to you or if it is only usable under veterinarian supervision.
Ask for the chemical name, tricaine methanesulfonate or MS-222, not "Finquel", as they are not likely to have the specific brand name.
I hope this helps some of you who are having difficulty finding a more safe option for tranquilizing your fish than clove oil, as we are hearing more and more accounts of diminished health and even death of the fish after sedation with clove oil.