Treating For Parasites With Prazipro

I've been struggling with sick fish for a while. I notice them with long stringy white/clear poop then they start acting lethargic for a while, not eating well, then they die. I've treated the whole tank before with PraziPro and thought I had it licked but I started noticing it again a couple weeks ago.

So three days ago I did a 50% water change then dosed the tank. After I did that, the 3 fish that I suspected of being sick died over the the last 3 days and one more is looking on the way down.

My main question here is this: do you think I'm on the right track with it being internal parasites? If so, shall I continue with a few rounds of PraziPro? If not, any other suggestions?

 

If PrazI worked before, perhaps is the second generation of parasites causing havok now?

The other thing it could be is nematodes. PrazI may slow them down, but not kill them. You'd need a dewormer for nematodes (worms) like Levamisole, flubendazole or Fenbendazole laced in food.

Or perhaps it is Hexamita. Metronidazole is the med to treat them, but recent info says Epsom Salts in the food is an effective alternative treatment for Hex. No 'meds' and super cheap.

Let me know if you want more info on how to use them.

 

I have snails as well, from what I understand PraziPro is safe with them but do you know if those others are safe? I have a quarantine I can setup to move the snails if needed but would like to avoid it.

Any symptoms to look for, other than the poop that might distinguish what it is?

 

I dealt with callamanus worms or some kind of nematode. I noticed my EB ram was looking skinny after one of my angels in the same tank wasted and died. Many of my fish wasted away, a couple developed tumors or cysts and two female fish had absess.

When I noticed my ram was looking unusually thin (he was 2.5 years old) I knew I had an issue. So trying to diagnose the problem, I was looking really closely at the fish's vents. I thought I noticed a pink dot at the vent of some of the fish, especially when the light first turned on. They retracted completely other times. I never actually saw worms tbh, but that's what I can tell you to look for.
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With Hex, the fish isolates itself, often facing the back or corners of the tank, stops eating, lethagic, stuff like that. It's very hard to diagnose intestinal parasite infestations unfortunately. But at least there are only 3 med types to treat with.

You could feed Fenbendazole as well (seperate feedings) to avoid hurting the snails. I used Levamisole at 2 to 3ppm, forgot about the assassin and nerite snails, but they were fine.

I would feed a dewormer with epsom salts to treat against intestinal worms and Hex. The Epsom Salts are also a laxative helping the fish to expel the worms.

What type of fish? I feel the most encountered parasites are treated with PrazI or dewormers.

 

It's a community tank, the ones that have died from suspected parasites are a Platy, several Bolivian Rams and some cardinal tetras. The Rams acted just like you describe.

I've also had some guppies die in the past but they had different symptoms and it was more sudden. I suspect some fighting and bad genetics with those.

 

Are you medicating the tank or the food? For internal parasites I have always had much better results medicating foods rather than the water. It's also often much easier on your cycle to medicate foods or do baths.

 

It's a community tank, the ones that have died from suspected parasites are a Platy, several Bolivian Rams and some cardinal tetras. The Rams acted just like you describe.

I've also had some guppies die in the past but they had different symptoms and it was more sudden. I suspect some fighting and bad genetics with those.

Yea, with rams, nematodes (particularly camallanus) is a common ailment. Guppies are prone to it as well. I woukd order in some fenbendazole if everyone is still eating. I got Dr. Tims Fishbendazole. 1/4 tsp powder treats 2 oz. of food. Again ask me if you want more info on how to dose.

 

Are you medicating the tank or the food? For internal parasites I have always had much better results medicating foods rather than the water. It's also often much easier on your cycle to medicate foods or do baths.

I've been doing both with PraziPro. Though I've noticed they are less likely to eat the food I've soaked with PraziPro.

 

Yea, with rams, nematodes (particularly camallanus) is a common ailment. Guppies are prone to it as well. I woukd order in some fenbendazole if everyone is still eating. I got Dr. Tims Fishbendazole. 1/4 tsp powder treats 2 oz. of food. Again ask me if you want more info on how to dose.

Ok thank you. Would it be an issue to dose while PraziPro is still in the tank? Or do a Water change first?

 

I've been doing both with PraziPro. Though I've noticed they are less likely to eat the food I've soaked with PraziPro.

Yeah they do that, garlic juice entices a lot of fish and garlic guard has gotten some of my pickiest fish (not all but a good many of them) to eat medicated food. I also always medicate "treat" foods; frozen blood, black, glass worms, various frozen shrimp and krill, etc that helps top but usually is worthless of its not something they're not to getting as a treat. First time foods rarely go over well especially when medicated.

 

Yeah they do that, garlic juice entices a lot of fish and garlic guard has gotten some of my pickiest fish (not all but a good many of them) to eat medicated food. I also always medicate "treat" foods; frozen blood, black, glass worms, various frozen shrimp and krill, etc that helps top but usually is worthless of its not something they're not to getting as a treat. First time foods rarely go over well especially when medicated.

Thanks. I have garlic guard but I was hesitant to soak food in that and PraziPro at the same time. But maybe I'm just being over cautious.

 

Thanks. I have garlic guard but I was hesitant to soak food in that and PraziPro at the same time. But maybe I'm just being over cautious.

Nope absolutely soak away. I make my batches a couple hours before my first dose and make enough for 3 days. Trash what left and remake another batch. I store the foods in the fridge during that time.
I honestly don't know why 3 days, someone may have said so, I may have read so or maybe its because I toss my own leftover foods after 3 days so I do so for fish also.

 

Ok thank you. Would it be an issue to dose while PraziPro is still in the tank? Or do a Water change first?

I would do a water change first. How long have you had the PrazI in this go?

Fyi, Fishbendazole is better effective as a food soak. I don't think it would be a huge deal to feed Fenbendazole while PrazI is still in the water, but I think I'd wait until the next week. I'd feed it as directly to the fish as possible because it's not good for inverts.

I use Repashy gel foods to add meds, it gets pretty good acceptance. I also add garlic juice to mask med taste and improve pallet.

Actually.....

It's a community tank, the ones that have died from suspected parasites are a Platy, several Bolivian Rams and some cardinal tetras. The Rams acted just like you describe.

I've also had some guppies die in the past but they had different symptoms and it was more sudden. I suspect some fighting and bad genetics with those.

How were the rams acting exactly? Facing corners, lethargic, not eating? Or did they waste?

 

Once my rams stop eating I know they are done for.. I've treated a few with metro medicated food ( garlic guard and Focus ) off and on. Euth'ed one yesterday after 6 months. He was one of trio that lasted the longest, not good when they get the hollow belly and white faeces. My newest rams are in much better health, colourful, breeding and am I to believe maybe from a better breeder.

 

Once my rams stop eating I know they are done for.. I've treated a few with metro medicated food ( garlic guard and Focus ) off and on. Euth'ed one yesterday after 6 months. He was one of trio that lasted the longest, not good when they get the hollow belly and white faeces. My newest rams are in much better health, colourful, breeding and am I to believe maybe from a better breeder.

You can feed Metro at the same time as PrazI in the water btw. General Cure is both PrazI and Metro. And I totally agree, it makes a huge difference where you get them (especially rams), they are known to have genetic issues when breeder responsibility is not taken.

 

I would do a water change first. How long have you had the PrazI in this go?

Fyi, Fishbendazole is better effective as a food soak. I don't think it would be a huge deal to feed Fenbendazole while PrazI is still in the water, but I think I'd wait until the next week. I'd feed it as directly to the fish as possible because it's not good for inverts.

I use Repashy gel foods to add meds, it gets pretty good acceptance. I also add garlic juice to mask med taste and improve pallet.

Actually.....

How were the rams acting exactly? Facing corners, lethargic, not eating? Or did they waste?

The Rams were not eating and hiding, mostly in a small House decoration I have and I'd say wasting away, as they looked very skinny, but I'd never had them before so I don't know exactly what a thriving one looks like. I never saw them face the corners. I had 4 total and all but one of them acted like this either immediately or within a few days of being put in the tank.

I've now been running prazI for a little over two weeks. I've dosed it twice both after my weekly 50% water change. Most of my fish are looking much better now. I've got two younger guppies that are hanging out at the top of the water more than they normally would but it's not constant and they are both eating. I haven't seen anymore stringy poop for about a week. Two of my female guppies have also had some fry as well.

I'm planning on adding prazI with my next two water changes to try andmake sure I get the next generation if it's still in there. I feel like that was the problem last time. After I'm done with the prazI I'll run some carbon fit a while to fully remove anything that's left.

 

So you didn't order Fenbendazole? Since the rams are not eating, it won't help much anyway I guess. I'm worried about the rams. They might not like the meds, but it's not normal that they hide and don't eat. They are a bit timid with voracious eaters, but mine pretty much eat out of my fingers now with the angels. These fish don't really hide....

What is your pH? If you have a KH/GH test, those values would be helpful too.

Glad the white poop is isn't happening anymore and the guppies are breeding again.

 

So you didn't order Fenbendazole? Since the rams are not eating, it won't help much anyway I guess. I'm worried about the rams. They might not like the meds, but it's not normal that they hide and don't eat. They are a bit timid with voracious eaters, but mine pretty much eat out of my fingers now with the angels. These fish don't really hide....

What is your pH? If you have a KH/GH test, those values would be helpful too.

Glad the white poop is isn't happening anymore and the guppies are breeding again.

I did order it, it arrived a few days ago but I haven't used it yet.

I realize I wasn't completely clear in my first post about my stock. My last Ram died before I wrote that post. It was one of the three that died when I started dosing PrazI again. I wanted to get tips to get the tank clear before I get anymore Rams. I'd eventually like to have a pair if I can figure out how to keep them. My current stock is:

13 Cardinal Tetras
2 Ruby Tetras
13 Peppered Corydoras
8 Guppies (and about 15 fry)
1 Moonlight Gourami
1 Bristlenose Pleco

 

Ok, how big is your tank? Do you know the KH/GH values? How bout pH?

 

Ok, how big is your tank? Do you know the KH/GH values? How bout pH?

54 gallon corner tank, heavily planted.

PH is 7.6, the KH/GH I haven't tested in a bit and I can't remember the values. Also I only have strips for that. I'll test later today and post it.

 

Ok, that would be helpful. The tank size is good, pH a little high for rams, but shouldn't cause probs like you're describing.

If you do go for more rams once the tank is back in motion, I'd QT them and feed them the Fenbendazole as a prophylactic treatment. I'd feed them the medicated food for 3 days exclusively, and in two weeks repeat treatment.

 

Looks like about 60 KH and 80 GH.

I've got a quarantine setup now, planning on quarantining everything from now on. What total length of time do you recommend quarantine? A month?

 

Ok, that would be helpful. The tank size is good, pH a little high for rams, but shouldn't cause probs like you're describing.

If you do go for more rams once the tank is back in motion, I'd QT them and feed them the Fenbendazole as a prophylactic treatment. I'd feed them the medicated food for 3 days exclusively, and in two weeks repeat treatment.

Been talking with my wife about the Rams behavior and she said she did notice them facing the corner or walls of the tank some, she thought they were maybe picking at algae but not really sure.

Does that change your thoughts on my problem or the treatment I'm doing?

 

Ummm well, Metronidazole treats hexamita, it could honestly be hexamita, nematodes, cestodes or trematodes. PrazI treats the latter two, you need a dewormer for nematodes and Metronidazole is the med of choice to treat Hex. Hex are the symptoms I described at the beginning.

But the rams didn't last long correct? Healthy fish in a healthy tank resist disease, so I wouldn't be too worried about the other stock necessarily. But if you want to be thorough, you could try feeding Metronidazole to the fish in the tank, it wouldn't cause issues when you are feeding it.

Maybe I would treat the new rams in QT with a dewormer and feed them Metronidazole. Same feeding instructions as Fenben, but I don't feed them at the same time. So technically if you treat the rams in QT, it would take a month to complete. PrazI can be dosed at the same time Metro is fed btw.

Also I might go to a different source for my rams this time. coralbandit breeds all types of rams and may be able to ship some to you. In that case, you wouldn't have to worry about parasites.

Fyi, Epsom Salts in the food are said to work against Hex as an alternative to Metro (which is also and antibiotic). Itrs 3/4 tsp epsom salt dissolved in 1/2 cup water. Just cover pellet food with epsom solution and let it soak in. Feed as directly to fish as possible so epsom is not lost in the water.

 

Ummm well, Metronidazole treats hexamita, it could honestly be hexamita, nematodes, cestodes or trematodes. PrazI treats the latter two, you need a dewormer for nematodes and Metronidazole is the med of choice to treat Hex. Hex are the symptoms I described at the beginning.

But the rams didn't last long correct? Healthy fish in a healthy tank resist disease, so I wouldn't be too worried about the other stock necessarily. But if you want to be thorough, you could try feeding Metronidazole to the fish in the tank, it wouldn't cause issues when you are feeding it.

Maybe I would treat the new rams in QT with a dewormer and feed them Metronidazole. Same feeding instructions as Fenben, but I don't feed them at the same time. So technically if you treat the rams in QT, it would take a month to complete. PrazI can be dosed at the same time Metro is fed btw.

Also I might go to a different source for my rams this time. coralbandit breeds all types of rams and may be able to ship some to you. In that case, you wouldn't have to worry about parasites.

Fyi, Epsom Salts in the food are said to work against Hex as an alternative to Metro (which is also and antibiotic). Itrs 3/4 tsp epsom salt dissolved in 1/2 cup water. Just cover pellet food with epsom solution and let it soak in. Feed as directly to fish as possible so epsom is not lost in the water.

Thank you for the info, might be a good idea for me to get some metro to feed my main tank just to be sure. Unless the hex will die off in the tank without a weak host to infect. Or maybe just add some Epsom salts to the tank? Or does it only work as a food soak?

I just looked up hex and I see it's also called "hole in the head" disease. That made me remember that when I got my first Rams, there was an older rescue in the tank with them that had what looked like a hole in his head. At the time I thought it was just an old fish, but I'm now wondering if this all started because of those first Rams I got, those two never really acted healthy, not eating from nearly the first day in my tank.

 

Thank you for the info, might be a good idea for me to get some metro to feed my main tank just to be sure. Unless the hex will die off in the tank without a weak host to infect. Or maybe just add some Epsom salts to the tank? Or does it only work as a food soak?

I just looked up hex and I see it's also called "hole in the head" disease. That made me remember that when I got my first Rams, there was an older rescue in the tank with them that had what looked like a hole in his head. At the time I thought it was just an old fish, but I'm now wondering if this all started because of those first Rams I got, those two never really acted healthy, not eating from nearly the first day in my tank.

Very well could be the case. HITH is different than Hex in the sense that it's the same symtoms, but one is brought on by bad water conditions and the other is due to a parasite (Spironucleus). If he had a hole in his forehead though, and given the way your rams were acting, I really wouldn't be surprised if that's what happened. Poor rams.

Here's the link on using E salts for Hex
Treating Hexamita aka Spironucleus
It has to be ingested to be effective against Hex