Fish Parasites, Worms, Camallanus Nematodes

[Carlrs]

FROM:

http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/03/trematodes-and-nematodes-in-fish.html

TREATMENTS for Internal Trematodes and Nematodes:

Before you treat, I suggest reading this article also from the "Aquarium/Pond Answers library:
Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

The above article is very helpful in that often even milder mediations are much more effective when ALL PARAMETERS are spot on.
In particular, I have seen the relatively mild Metronidazole/Praziquantel combination work well for Camallanus worms when parameter are spot on (this includes a balanced Redox by keeping oxidative stress as low as possible) and not work at all when these are not.
This why we need to be careful with anecdotal advice when it comes to statements that "Metronidazole/Praziquantel will not work", as when we dig deeper as per my long time experience with fish treatments, we will often find that there is a reason the treatment failed, and it was not the medication.

• Metronidazole is a mild treatment parasitic worm treatment that is most effective for single cell parasites such as flagellates (examples include Giardia), but it can be even more effective when combined with SeaChem ParaGuard in tank and/or then used as a medicated food soak combined with Praziquantel (do not use ParaGaurd as part of the fish food soak).
  The use of Metronidazole has the added benefit in that it is effective for anaerobic internal infections, common to the gut.
  
  Reference:
  *Aquarium Medications; Food Delivery of Medications
  *What Are the Treatments for Intestinal Parasites in Humans (while not aimed at fish treatment, much more research goes into human worm treatment, so still worth a read)
  
  Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby::
  *AAP Metronidazole
  *AAP ParaGuard


• Praziquantel; this product works in part by paralyzing the parasites, thus allowing the host to more easily shed the parasite both internally and externally.
  Generally only one treatment is needed (if fed, two to three times in one day), although re-treatment 5-7 days days later of a product containing Praziquantel is required.
  Praziquantel along with Metronidazole are a couple of the safer medications you can use for your fish to treat parasites, both internal & external (& more effective when combined).
  
  Recommended Resource:
  *PraziPro from AAP


• AAP General Cure
  General Cure (which contains Praziquantel, Metronidazole) can be used as a medicated fish food soak for internal parasites.
  Jungle/Tetra Parasite Guard is similar (it contains Praziquantel, Metronidazole, Acriflavin, Diflubenzuron).
  Of the two, General Cure is the better choice since Acriflavin & Diflubenzuron are intended only for external parasites (of which this is the better product for external parasites/worms).
  
  General Cure can be used as a medicated fish food soak by using 1/2 a packet for an average 60 gallon bio load medicated fish preparation. Fish food should be soaked for 15 minutes. After soak, pour entire contents into aquarium
  
  Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby:
  *Tetra/Jungle Parasite Guard from AAP
  *AAP General Cure


• Levamisol Once one of the more popular treatments for nematodes, but increasingly harder to find due to many safety concerns which includes the fact it is much more dangerous than others listed here when over dosed or even used normally as it can cause serious liver and blood issues. Even in doses needed to treat internal worms, "Neutropenia" may result which then results in the fish being more susceptible to bacterial infections.
  Personally I would avoid Levamisol and save it as a treatment as a last resort due to the problems it can cause with the fish immune system, especially if over dosed accidentally. When used correctly and optimum water conditions, the formula in "General Cure" while not as strong, is immensely safer
  
  Most commonly available as Levamisol HCL which is slightly diluted of the active ingredient of Levimisol.
  
  See this article for use and cautions:
  Aquatic Medications #3; chemical and parasite treatments
  
  Treat with Levimisol once followed by a water change and treatment in 3-7 days. Treat a third time after 1-2 weeks following the second treatment.
  Be careful, as Levamisol can kill many worms quickly, which with most internal nemtode infections is not an issue since they are not generally widespread. HOWEVER with use for widespread worm infestations, this can be a problem which is why this should NEVER be used to kill Detritus Worms (often misidentified as Planaria)