Metronidazole for HITH

[reptileguy2727]

MY jaguar cichlid has HITH. I am feeding the best stuff out there (mix including New Life Spectrum, Hikari, Tetra, and HBH), stopped using carbon in the filter, do 75% weekly water changes, and he never gets live food. He is over filtered and the only thing I think I have left to include in his treatment is metronidazole. I was wondering if this was avialable over the counter, or what form I should get if I need to get a prescription (my dog's vet will prescribe things like that if I know exactly what I need). I also need dosing and treatment directions. He is in a 75 gallon. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cathy G]

Try Metro+, it is distributed by Hikari. I've found it over the counter at the better lfs, it is also available through Drs. Foster/Smith...

Metronidazole isn't that absorbable through the fishes gills/skin. It's better to use while the fish is still eating and this product can be used to feed the fish internally. Use the fishes favorite food, dissolve a pinch of the powder in a tiny bit of warm water - you'll have to stir and stir. Then soak the fish's food in the water for a while. If you use frozen bloodworms, thaw them out on a pile of napkins first to get most of the fluid gone before you pour the metro/water into the worms.

Good Luck!
Cathy

 

[MoJo]

POWDER DOSAGE: 1/4 teaspoonful per 20 gallons. 50 grams (treats approx. 800 gal.) Treat every 24 hours with a 25% water change before each treatment. Treat for 10 days.

Have you checked your water hardness? How about stray electrical current? Both of those can also lead to HLLE.

 

[reptileguy2727]

How does stray electrical current cause it? How would I check for it? I have a jaguar cichlid and from what I have read they are supposed to have moderately hard water, not soft or medium.

I know about Metro plus, but have not seen it at any of the LFS I go to or seen it available at the one I work at.