metronidazole question

[blazingazn]

I have a sunset gourami who has been having white stringy poop, so i went out and got some metro for it. Right now it is isolated from the other fish, but i was wondering, since it obtained the parasite while it was in the main tank, should i just treat the entire tank? i have a 20H aquarium with low light plants and shrimps. the gourami still has a healthy appetite, and the other fishes are all acting normal. does anyone know if the metro is safe with shrimps and other inverts?

 

[msjinkzd]

I would treat the whole tank if you are sure that the gourami has intestinal parasites. Does it have any other symptoms? What do you feed? How long has it had the white stringy poo?

 

[blazingazn]

it has had the white stringy poop for about 2 days. before this, the normal poop has been short and a reddish color (from tropical flakes and bloodworms i presume). the past few days, it has gradually become long and stringy, but still reddish. then 2 days ago it became white. the gourami rests on the bottom more than usual, but will come up to feed and will become more active when i come and check up on him. are there any other symptoms to positively ID it as internal parasites?

 

[msjinkzd]

How long have you had it? Have there been new additions to the tank? Sorry to grill you with questions. I think that the only way to get a positive id on an internal parasite is pretty much by doing a fecal smear. Metronidazole is a good med...although my fish never want to eat it. I have to mix it with crushed garlic for them to even touch it. You haven't fed any unusual foods that could account for a change in the stool? If not, treat the entire tank. I have noticed that sometimes after feeding daphnia and freeze-dried tubifex my fish have whitish longer poo. Wish you luck!

 

[Star_Rider]

it depends on the internal parasite. some are visible with the naked eye.
others may only be visible with microscope and even then to a trained eye.
metronidazole does not have to be eaten to be effective..if you can get the fish to eat it that is the best delivery system. it is also effective in the water via bath as is praziquantel and others (Levamisole hcl).

you should treat the whole tank if you suspect interan parasites.

btw these meds are also effective on some external parasites.

 

[lili70]

I made my betta eat metronidazole, like this:

Mixed Focus-Seachem with Metronidazole and frozen brine shrimp.
The Focus is supposed to help medication stay in food.
I use a droper and squeeze it in front of the fish. He learned very fast to eat from the droper.

I am just a beginner but I found this recipe on the net.
L

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Metro really should be fed as it is far less effective dosed in the water. If feeding metro treated food- feed it twice a day for 10 days to two weeks and do not feed any untreated food during that time.