Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
- borgey
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Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
I just purchased a SAP. I actually plan on getting another one tommarow or Friday. I know I will most likely have to trim their teeth myself. So I have a couple questions about the process. I have heard that MS-222 lowers the PH of the water. I heard of using baking soda as a buffer. Does Clove Oil have this same effect?If so how much buffer should be used? I know it is frowned upon to use Clove Oil but I just would like to know in case of an emergency situation. Also, when the puffer goes belly up will he still be breathing and is there anything specific I should be looking for at this time? How long can the Puffer be out of the water for? I know it should be done as quickly as possible but I have never done this before and my first couple times will most likely not be done very quickly. Has anyone ever had any bad encounters with this stuff? I have read a lot on the subject but would basically just like tips n tricks from people who have done it already.
-
jtbadco
Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
I would say don't bother with either one.
Check earlier posts,...several members have successfully done SAP's without any sedation....just a quick dip 'n snip.
much safer and easier on the fish, cheaper and less worry for u too
Check earlier posts,...several members have successfully done SAP's without any sedation....just a quick dip 'n snip.
much safer and easier on the fish, cheaper and less worry for u too
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Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
Unless you have a really docile SAP, it sounds pretty UNsafe to me to skip sedation...
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
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NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi

Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
- borgey
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Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
I personally would not be comfortable at all doing it without one of the two. I know SAPs are naturally sketchy fish nevermind under the stress that it would cause. Then I risk them puffing up with air also. But you are right I have actually watched a video of someone doing it without it. Must have a very tame puffer tho I think.
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Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
I have never had any issues with pH problems using either. With the short time the puffer is in the tranq water (2 minutes, tops), there should be absolutely no worries.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
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Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
you have read:
library/hospital/dentistry/ ??
MS-222 if you are going to tranq is the better way to go. When in doubt .. MS-222 and you don't need to worry about the Ph because you are not treating the entire tank. Just a holding bucket.
library/hospital/dentistry/ ??
MS-222 if you are going to tranq is the better way to go. When in doubt .. MS-222 and you don't need to worry about the Ph because you are not treating the entire tank. Just a holding bucket.
if you follow me, you avoid stepping in the crap that I just did...
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Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
MS-222 does change pH but only in large doses. The dosages you are going to need for a SAP will effect pH but not enough to worry about having to buffer it. You hear about buffering when large amounts are needed ie: sedating large fish or large groups of fish. I would not use clove oil ever to sedate a fish. There has been neurological problems linked to clove oil use for sedation.
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Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
Ok so when I sedate the puffer and take him out the water do I just roll back his lips? Will I know what to cut when I see it? I am sorry for all the questions I just would like as much info as possible before I do it myself. I am going to order ms-222 next week or so since cloven oil is not good.
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Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
Have you read the article? It's got step-by-step instructions & pics.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
- borgey
- Figure 8 Puffer
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Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
I have read a couple articles on it. The ones I saw did have step by step directions but didn't really go into detail when doing the actual clipping. I will probably just have to figure it out when I go to do it. It can't be too hard to figure out what to clip I would think.
- J-P
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Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
you'll be just clipping the bottom edges of the front top teeth.
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- borgey
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- Location: Providence, RI/Boston, Ma
Re: Questions about MS-222/Clove Oil
Thank you, I feel pretty confident with the knowledge I have from every ones help and the articles I have read to perform this.