Faunamor, manufactured by Tejo Marine Biotechnology GmbH in Telgte, Germany, is an anti-parasitic and antibacterial drug available in 20mL and 100mL (glass) bottles. It contains three active ingredients: methylene blue, malachite green oxalate, and acriflavine immersion solution. This makes it the only legal drug on the market currently for treating white spot disease, a significant milestone in the field of ornamental fish medicine.
Interestingly, Faunamor has already obtained animal drug approval in Taiwan, China, under the name “Bacterial克星” (Animal Drug Import Certificate No. 06804) since 2011. It is available in 20mL, 100mL, and 1000mL specifications and is used to treat bacterial infections associated with white spot disease in ornamental fish.
White spot disease is highly contagious and can quickly spread among various species of ornamental fish, including tropical fish, goldfish, and koi. It can be easily introduced into ponds, aquariums, or home fish tanks through the addition of new fish or equipment from other units that have housed infected fish. An outbreak of this disease can be devastating, potentially killing all the fish in a tank, aquarium, or pond within a short period. The most common symptoms of infection include the appearance of small white spots resembling blisters on the fish’s skin or gills, as well as signs of weakness, lethargy, and a lack of appetite.
Prior to the approval of Faunamor, other drugs used to treat white spot disease were unapproved by the FDA, lacking proper assessment of their safety and effectiveness. The FDA’s Index of New Animal Drugs for Minor Species plays a crucial role in this regard. It includes drugs for minor species (animals other than cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, turkeys, dogs, and cats) whose safety and effectiveness have been confirmed through an alternative review process. In many cases, the uses of drugs for minor species cannot go through the standard drug approval process due to the rarity or great diversity of the species, making traditional safety and effectiveness studies unfeasible. This index is particularly beneficial for treating individual animals or animal categories that represent a market too small to bear the costs of the drug approval process.
As part of the FDA’s animal drug indexing process, a qualified expert panel evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Faunamor and determined that the benefits of using the drug for ornamental fish outweigh the risks. FDA scientists reviewed the panel’s assessment and, upon agreeing with their conclusions, added the drug to the index.
In conclusion, the approval of Faunamor is a significant step forward in the treatment of white spot disease in ornamental fish. It provides fish keepers with a reliable and legal option to combat this harmful disease. However, it’s important to note that this article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a basis for medication. For specific medication guidance, it is advisable to consult a practicing veterinarian. If you want to learn more about Faunamor, you can click on the “Read More” link at the end of this article.
Let’s hope that this breakthrough will lead to healthier and more vibrant ornamental fish populations, bringing joy and beauty to fish enthusiasts around the world.