Effective Metronidiazole dosage for Hexamita?

jjohns · 11-17-2005, 5:36 PM

I was wondering if anyone has any insight as far as what is an effective Metronidiazole dosage for angelfish and discus to fight Hexamita? I used to be able to get a medication called Hex-A-Mit made by Aquatronics from my local fish store. However, I heard that Aquatronics went out of business last year, and I have not been able to find any of that same brand. I did try some Hex-Out made by Aquarium Products, but it does not seem to be as effective to cure it. The dosages are both listed the same as 1 capsule or tablet (250 mg) per 10 gallons water, and they both contain Metronidiazole. I used to see results in 1 day (or even overnight) with Hex-A-Mit and now I haven't had any success curing my discus or angels when I suspect they come down with Hexamita using the Hex-Out. I have 40 grams of the powdered Hex-out that I was going to divy out into 250mg packets to have on hand so I will know what the right dose is. I hate it when you get the powdered stuff and they say 1 level scoopful to so many gallons. Before I weigh it all out, should I probably increase the dosage since I haven't seen any results? I read somewhere on line that someone uses 400 mg/10 gallons water to be effective and that's what it took to kick it. They said that it is fairly safe and takes a huge amount of it to overdose the fish. Does anyone have any opinions? I am tempted to try bumping up the dose, but what is a safe upper limit? All meds I have seen for metro say 250 mg/10 gallons. Any advice?

~*LuvMyKribs*~ · 11-17-2005, 5:44 PM

That what we use for our Africans, 250mg per 10 gallons. Im not sure if that would also be okay for discus, but i assume so.

We dose 250mg per 10 gallons once every other day for three doses. If its not cured after that then do a water change and try again. Dosing three days in a row instead of every other day works too, it packs more of a punch, but might be too strong for the fish.

Have a look at this thread:
http://www.malawimayhem.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=328

There is some info in there on dosing.

-Diana