Vitamin C

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has well-documented benefits for fish. It is important for growth and proper bone formation, collagen, cartilage and bone, muscle development and blood forming organs.

Effective Against

Besides being used as a nutritional supplement, Vitamin C is also used as a therapeutic aid. It supports healing of wounds and lesions, boosting the immune system. It has shown to be useful in treating stress, such as low oxygen conditions, crowding and shipping. It detoxifies the liver and is used in combination with beta carotene and Vitamin E as an antioxidant.

Treatment Regime

Vitamin C can be administered either in the water or the guppy food. There is no unequivocal scientific evidence that Vitamin C in the water is absorbed in large enough quantities to positively affect the health of fish. Added in large enough quantities, Vitamin C has the potential to adversely affect the fish, since it is an acid and can cause the pH to drop suddenly. This would shock the guppies, stressing them. We do not recommend it.

Vitamin C is most effective administered in guppy food. Added as powder, it dissolves in water immediately. So it must be added to food as a liquid. However, Vitamin C is very heat sensitive so the liquid should air dry on the food.

Stabilized Vitamin C should be used. Vitamin C obtained from the pharmacy is not very effective unless it has been stabilized. (Vitamin C can be made more stable so that it last longer by being bound to phosphorus units to prevent oxidation. Look for the term "stabilized Vitamin C," "stabilized ascorbic acid," "L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate," or "ascorbate polyphosphate" on food packaging.) Vitamin C that is "aquaculture grade" is recommended.

Bioencapsulation, where live food takes up essential nutrients, which are then transferred to the fish when they eat the food, which is a highly effective method.

Where to Buy

The only product we have found that is readily available is Kent Watergarden Zoe, or Kent Freshwater Zoe, Vitamin and Mineral supplement, a product made for the pond and aquarium markets respectively. Kent claims a shelf life of four years at room temperature. Kent Marine provides the following guidance for its administration: "For wonderful results, sprinkle over or soak food in Zoe, as appropriate. Add two teaspoons (two capfuls) per 100 gallons pond capacity, directly to the pond up to twice weekly to benefit both fish and aquatic plants." We are left wondering exactly what the scientists at Kent Marine mean by "wonderful results."

On the product packaging, Kent suggests adding a combination of Kent Zoe and Kent Zoecon (a lipid supplement) to live brine shrimp for bioencapsulation.

The manufacturer lists the following ingredients for the product:

L-Ascorbic Acid 2-Sulfate Dipotassium Dihydrate, Vitamin A Propionate, Vitamin A Palmitate, D-Activated animal sterol ( D3), Folic Acid, Choline Chloride, Niacin, d-Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine (B1), Pyridoxine (B6), Riboflavin (B2), Vitamin B12, d-Biotin, Tocopheryl Acetate (E), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (K3) in a base containing Water, Spirulina Algae, Kelp, Ascophyllum Nodosum extract, and preservatives.

Check in the pond section of your LFS. Or do a search on the Internet for "Kent Watergarden Zoe."