Metronidazole effect on inverts?

justintoxicated

justintoxicated

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Dec 19, 2005
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Hi I need to get rid of some internal parasites in my gourami before it dies like the other one. (It may already be too late). The fish is in a community tank and my QT is already in use with fry. Fish exibits ALL signs of having an internal parasite.

Will metronidazole kill my shrimps and snails?

Also can this fish spread the Internal parasities to other fish in the tank?

Thanks,
 
I saw your post in the other gourami with IP's thread, but will answer here. Those IP meds (Metronidazole, Flubenol, Praziquantel) are classified as anti-helminthic, meaning they are designed to kill worms. But that is a broad term and encompasses tapeworms, flukes, nematodes, etc. Therefore, I don't think they should hurt your snails and shrimps.
 
Thanks! now the hard part is locating the meds, I can order from foster and smith but by the time they arrive my fish will probably be dead :( Called around and no one seems to carry anyting. :mad:
 
I know, it's a tough one. I paid $12 for expedited shipping on a $4 tube of IP meds, to save a $2.50 fish :p:

I'm sorry to tell you, but if it's gone so far as they won't eat anything, you probably won't be able to save them. If they are eating, I'd definitely recommend GelTek Ultra Cure PX. It contains all 3 meds I listed above AND is scented with fish pheromones to stimulate feeding. I just soak their regular food in it, and even my pickiest fish accept it without so much as a second thought! I just think it's much more effective ingested as the worms are probably very well protected deep inside their body, where an external med added to the water probably can't reach them.
 
plah is correct..the best way to treat is to get the fish to ingest the meds.

they don't even have to eat it(as is the case many times with internal parasites).
it the fish takes the med in then spits out the food..it will still have taken some of the med in. that said metro and prazi can still be effective intoduced in the water. it may take longer but if you can get the fish in shape enough to start eating..it helps.'

in the case of internal parasites you should treat the entire tank.and be prepared to treat again in 2-3 weeks.

the meds may not kill the parasite..but actually irritate the parasite in to leaving the host. in some cases the parasite may use an intermediate host or release 'eggs' in the water.
 
great :( Guess I will order the stuff from foster and smith anyways then, all my fish and snails eat the same food anyways except for teh blackworms, not sure I could soak them in it lol.
Not sure about by shrimps.
 
eep, I didn't think about a med that's added to the water or that the soaked food might get eaten by your shrimp and snails. I don't know if that might kill them?
 
well I don't have a QT tank, but if I need to treat allt he fish I guess I'm jsut screwed then since it does not sound possible if it might kill stuff.

would my best bet be to uthenize this fish then :(
 
justintoxicated said:
would my best bet be to uthenize this fish then :(
Click to expand...
no, not yet. Let's see what other people have to say first, OK? I might be wrong and the shrimpies and snails might be fine :huh:
 
I used a mix of metro,prazi and levamisole hcl.it didn't affect the snails in the tank..the problem for them came later..when the angels got their appetites back..seems they like snails.

snails have been a secondary host for some parasites.

I'll see if I can find anymore info on the effects of anit parasite meds on inverts.
 
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