Kordon's Malachite Green is an effective medication used for the control of various external parasites of freshwater and marine fishes. When used as directed, the medication will control or prevent the following common protozoan parasites: Ichthyophthirius (freshwater Ich), Costra, Chilodonella, Ambiphyra, Cryptocaryon (marine Ich), Epistylis, Oodinium, and Trichodina. Kordon's Malachite Green is also effective against common external fungal infections of fishes and eggs, which include Achlya and Saprolegnia. An extensive body of literature supports its use as an effective agent in the control of fungus on fish eggs. Kordon's Malachite Green utilizes the less common but also less toxic chloride salt of malachite green (this is the same salt used in Kordon's Malachite Green).

Caution

Malachite green can interfere with biological filtration at dosages above 0.10 ppm. Malachite green is toxic to some kinds of scaleless fishes, including catfishes, loaches, and small characins (tetras). Care should be taken with sensitive fish—dwarf cichlids, gouramis, livebearers, and barbs. Malachite green can permanently color the silicone sealant in aquariums. If stress develops, remove fish to another untreated aquarium or make an immediate partial or complete water change and replace carbon filtration. A 4-ounce bottle treats 240 gallons.

Directions for use

Suggested Treatment Procedure

The following procedures are suggested for both freshwater and marine systems, unless otherwise noted. Remove any activated carbon filter material from the system as it will lower the treatment concentration. The drug will bind with certain materials such as silicone sealants, porous rocks, gravel, and coral; hence, exposure to these can effectively reduce the therapeutic dosage as well as cause unsightly stains. If used in new aquariums, the dye can permanently color the silicone sealant. It is also recommended that excessively porous materials be removed prior to treatment, since they will become permanently colored. In established aquaria and outdoor ponds, the buildup of excessive debris and organics can reduce the therapeutic dosage of malachite green. Making the recommended water changes outlined in the treatment schedules will reduce the possible removal of the drug from solution by organics.

Prevention or treatment of fungus on fish eggs

Method 1 (Short-Term Bath)        

• Change the carbon in the outside filter or add an outside filter with fresh carbon to the hatchery tank. Use a high-quality liquid-phase activated carbon.
• Start the filter.
• Add 10 teaspoons of 0.038% Kordon Malachite Green per gallon of water. This produces 5 ppm activity of the drug.
• Allow filter to run and allow it to remove the Malachite Green from the water for one hour. Note: If any color remains in the water after 1 hour, perform a partial water change of at least 25%, change the filter carbon, and allow it to remove any additional malachite green.
• Repeat treatment once a day prior to the hatching of the eggs. Discontinue after the eggs hatch.

Method 2 (Dip)

• To a clean, non-metallic container, add 1 gallon of aged hatchery water, or water treated with NovAqua.
• Add 5 fl. oz. of 0.038% Kordon Malachite Green (approximately 149 ml). This produces a concentration of 1500 ppm.
• Agitate the solution with an airstone and adjust for a moderately strong flow of air.
• Collect eggs in a net or grasp the object on which eggs are attached and dip it for not more than 10 seconds. Immediately replace the eggs in the original hatchery tank. Note: This is a one-time treatment only. Do not repeat. The dip solution may be kept for future use. Keep the container tightly capped when not in use.

Treatment for fungus on fishes

• Transfer fish to a separate quarantine tank, if possible.
• Remove carbon, clean the outside filter, and return to use with clean mechanical filter media.
• Calculate the actual volume of water to be treated, taking into consideration the displacement of water by sand and rock.
• Add 1 teaspoon of Malachite Green per 10 gallons of water to the tank. This will produce a concentration of 0.05 ppm.
• Make a partial water change of at least 25% every 24 hours and re-treat. Superficial fungal infections will respond to a single treatment, while more advanced, deep-seated mycosis will require additional prolonged therapy. The disappearance of the strands (fungal hyphae) from the affected areas signals a successful treatment.
• Upon completion of the treatment, return fishes to the original aquarium (if moved) and add Kordon's NovAqua or PolyAqua.

Treatment of ectoparasites
The following procedure is applicable for control of ectoparasites in established aquaria, quarantine tanks, and outside ornamental ponds.

• Transfer fish to a separate quarantine tank, if the treatment is to be used as a preventative measure. Note: while the fish may be treated in an established aquarium or moved to a quarantine tank, certain parasitic life cycles will require treatment in the aquarium or pond where the outbreak occurred, rather than movement of those fishes which have been clearly affected.
• Remove carbon and clean outside filter. Replace filter media and return to use without the carbon.
• If the treatment is being performed in an established aquarium or ornamental pond, it is recommended that a 25 to 50% water change be performed before treatment. Add Kordon's NovAqua when making water changes.
• Calculate the actual volume of water to be treated, taking into consideration the displacement of water by sand and rock. (To calculate the aquarium's capacity, measure its length, height and width in inches, multiply these dimensions together, and divide the result by 232. Your answer will be the amount of water in gallons.)
• Add 1 teaspoon of 0.038% Kordon Malachite Green per 10 gallons of water. This produces a concentration of 0.05 ppm. For treatment of Ichthyophthirius, the dosage can be increased to within a range of 0.10-0.15 ppm. However, this is not advisable for use when used with delicate fish (see Toxicity). Whenever possible, temporarily increase the water temperature during treatment with Malachite Green. An increase in temperature is beneficial since it speeds up the parasites' life cycle and decreases the required treatment period. The required total treatment period of any parasite must take into consideration the prevailing ambient water temperature and the parasites' life cycle.
• Repeat the treatment with a partial water change of at least 25% daily. Add Kordon's NovAqua before replacing new water.
• Upon completion of the treatment, return the fish to the original aquarium or pond (if transferred to a quarantine tank) and add Kordon's NovAqua or Fish Protector. If the treatment took place in the original aquarium or pond, change 40% of the water and replace the activated carbon in the filter.