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Seachem KanaPlex 5g (0.18oz) Seachem Kanaplex is a lifesaver for axolotl owners. This cost-effective, easy-to-use medicine expertly combats the most common fungal and bacterial infections in axolotls. Its potent formula offers a convenient solution to quickly restore health, ensuring your aquatic friend recovers swiftly and safely from ailments. A must-have for proactive care.

What it is & how it works

• KanaPlex is a kanamycin-based antibiotic (kanamycin sulfate) formulated for aquarium use (freshwater & marine) to treat various bacterial and fungal fish diseases. Aqua Zones+3Blue Fish Aquarium+3seachem.com+3

• Unlike some medications that must be ingested, KanaPlex can be absorbed through the skin and gills of the fish — useful if the fish refuse food. Bulk Reef Supply+2Aqua Zones+2

• It is claimed by Seachem (and other sources) to be filter-bed friendly and easily removed via activated carbon after treatment. seachem.com+1

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🎯 What it treats

According to Seachem’s description, KanaPlex is appropriate for treating or helping with diseases such as:

• Fin rot / tail rot (bacterial) Blue Fish Aquarium+1

• Popeye (exophthalmia) Blue Fish Aquarium

• Dropsy (fluid-build up / internal bacterial infection) Blue Fish Aquarium+1

• Mouth rot / ulcers / hemorrhagic septicemia type issues Blue Fish Aquarium+1

It’s important to note: accurate diagnosis is key. Many symptoms overlap between bacterial, fungal, parasitic and environmental issues, so you’ll want to make sure you’re really dealing with a bacterial/fungal issue (or a mix) before using this. Blue Fish Aquarium+1

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🧪 How to dose / use

Dosing in water:

• Remove all invertebrates (shrimp, snails, corals, etc.) because they are extremely sensitive. seachem.zendesk.com+1

• Turn off or remove UV filters, ozone, and chemical filtration (activated carbon, Purigen) before dosing. seachem.zendesk.com+1

• Use 1 measure (the scoop included) of KanaPlex per 20 L (~5 gallons U.S.) of aquarium water. seachem.zendesk.com+1

• Repeat this dose every 48 hours, up to a maximum of 3 doses. seachem.zendesk.com+1

• In more severe infections, the manufacturer says you may carry out two rounds back-to-back, but only if fish show no stress at the end of the first round. seachem.zendesk.com+1

Dosing in food (alternate or when you have inverts):

• Mix:

  • 1 scoop KanaPlex

  • 1 scoop Focus (also Seachem product)

  • 1 tbsp fish food (preferably pellets or frozen)

  • A few drops of water if using dry food to help it bind. seachem.zendesk.com+1

• Feed this medicated food every day until the infection clears, or up to 1 week. The mix can be refrigerated or frozen between feedings. Aqua Zones

After treatment:

• Use activated carbon (or equivalent) to remove residual medication from the water. KanaPlex doesn’t linger in the substrate or filter media (according to Seachem). Blue Fish Aquarium

• Resume normal filtration/filtration media after it’s safe.

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⚠️ What to watch out for / limitations

• Invertebrates & plants: KanaPlex can be stressful or harmful to plants, corals, shrimp, snails, and other invertebrates if used directly in a display tank with water dosing. Seachem specifically notes: "It should not be used in the water of tanks that contain plants or invertebrates … It is fine to use in the fish’s food in these kinds of tanks though." seachem.zendesk.com

• Scale-less fish / highly sensitive species: Fish like loaches, rays, eels, or scale-less varieties may be more sensitive. Use a partial dose (¼ to ½) in such cases. seachem.zendesk.com

• Diagnosis vs. cause: If water conditions are poor (high ammonia, nitrite, stress, etc.), just using the antibiotic may not fix the underlying problem. Many aquarists stress good water quality should be addressed concurrently. Blue Fish Aquarium

• Oral absorption vs. water absorption: In some forums and discussions, users note that kanamycin is poorly absorbed via digestive tract in fish, meaning that dosing via water may be more effective for systemic infections. bettafish.com+1

• Overdosing risk: Always measure carefully. The FAQ states: “Each vial … contains ~40 scoops, which is enough to do a single dose on 200 gallons of water.” Over-dosing may stress fish. seachem.zendesk.com

• Mixed infections: If a fish has a parasitic/fungal + bacterial combo, treating only bacteria might not be sufficient. You may need broader treatment protocols.

• Legal / ethical: Always use medications responsibly — some regions strongly regulate antibiotic usage in aquaria.

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💡 Pro tips & “inside” tricks

• If you have invertebrates or plants, it’s safer to treat via medicated food rather than water dosing.

• Turn off chemical filtrations (carbon, Purigen) before treatment — these can remove the medication and make it less effective.

• Monitor fish carefully during treatment. If any fish show signs of stress (gasping, rapid breathing, lethargy) consider doing a partial water change and removing medication.

• After treatment, do a partial water change to help remove residual metabolites and improve health.

• During treatment, maintain excellent water quality: stable parameters, clean water, low stress. This increases the chances of success.

• Label the container with date opened, scoops used to help with future dosing accuracy.

• If you have a large display tank, consider doing quarantine/hospital treatment on a smaller tank where you can control dosing and filtration more easily. KanaPlex can be used in a display tank, but it’s safer in a hospital tank when possible.

• When mixing medicated food: try to make the food more palatable (some users add a little garlic guard or other flavour enhancer) so the fish will eat it willingly. seachem.zendesk.com

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🔍 Summary

In short: KanaPlex is a powerful tool for treating bacterial/fungal infections in fish, especially if the fish won’t eat. But it needs to be used with care — correct dosing, aware of tank inhabitants (inverts, plants), and good water quality are all essential. It is not a substitute for overall good husbandry, and if underlying issues (water quality, stress, parasites) are present, just relying on antibiotics may lead to recurrence.