So the big three are furan, kana, and metro. Im trying to work out when you would want to use each individually and when you would want to combine. I know metro can be fed or dosed in the tank directly as well. I also heard to avoid metro unless you really need it. Can someone walk me through the proper use case of each individually and when combining is advised? They just seem so similar.
Antibiotics Use Cases
- Thread starter JamesP
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melypr1985
totally addicted
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/antibiotics.283711/
Kanaplex and furan2 are both antibiotics. Metroplex is mainly for treating intestinal worms but has some antibiotic properties. Kanaplex is usually the first choice for antibiotics because it's readily absorbed into the skin of the fish and is also broad spectrum which treats both gram negative and positive infections. There are others out there that are better suited to different situations, but for these three, I would start with kanaplex and if no improvement is observed within a week or so (even a small one) then adding furan2 to the mix is a good idea to widen the spectrum of the antibiotics. Again, if no improvement is observed then one could add in the metroplex to further widen the spectrum again. If the infection looks really bad, really quickly we might advise going straight to the "triple threat".
Kanaplex and furan2 are both antibiotics. Metroplex is mainly for treating intestinal worms but has some antibiotic properties. Kanaplex is usually the first choice for antibiotics because it's readily absorbed into the skin of the fish and is also broad spectrum which treats both gram negative and positive infections. There are others out there that are better suited to different situations, but for these three, I would start with kanaplex and if no improvement is observed within a week or so (even a small one) then adding furan2 to the mix is a good idea to widen the spectrum of the antibiotics. Again, if no improvement is observed then one could add in the metroplex to further widen the spectrum again. If the infection looks really bad, really quickly we might advise going straight to the "triple threat".
You would use Kanaplex or Furan-2 for minor to moderate infections. For bad infections, you would combine them and also add in Metroplex.
Metronidazole is an interesting medication, because it's full potential is not completely understood. We know it treats anaerobic bacterial fish diseases, and can also eradicate some external parasites such as brook & uronema. And when soaked in food, it clears most intestinal worms.
Metronidazole is an interesting medication, because it's full potential is not completely understood. We know it treats anaerobic bacterial fish diseases, and can also eradicate some external parasites such as brook & uronema. And when soaked in food, it clears most intestinal worms.
Thaks you two. Always helpful.
I think i would use kanaplex first moving forward because it doesnt make my water look like nuclear waste like furan does. Im having a hard time observing if the infection is better on my purple tang through the extreme yellow. Then after a week if no improvement, I'd add furan to the kanaplex and run both. Then after another week I'd add metroplex as a last resort. I guess once i start any of them i would run it for 10 days, even if it looks better after a week. And if it is extreme from day 1 I'd add all 3 for 10 days.
As for metroplex for internal worms, if i use prazipro would there be a need for metroplex as well? Why would i use one over the other? I know prazipro treats external flatworms, but I guess im wondering if prazipro has any effect on internal worms as well. And vice versa, would metroplex added straight to the tank also get into a fishes insides? Maybe it is a silly assumption, but i just assumed if the fish is swimming in it with their mouth open then it is getting inside of them too.
I think i would use kanaplex first moving forward because it doesnt make my water look like nuclear waste like furan does. Im having a hard time observing if the infection is better on my purple tang through the extreme yellow. Then after a week if no improvement, I'd add furan to the kanaplex and run both. Then after another week I'd add metroplex as a last resort. I guess once i start any of them i would run it for 10 days, even if it looks better after a week. And if it is extreme from day 1 I'd add all 3 for 10 days.
As for metroplex for internal worms, if i use prazipro would there be a need for metroplex as well? Why would i use one over the other? I know prazipro treats external flatworms, but I guess im wondering if prazipro has any effect on internal worms as well. And vice versa, would metroplex added straight to the tank also get into a fishes insides? Maybe it is a silly assumption, but i just assumed if the fish is swimming in it with their mouth open then it is getting inside of them too.
melypr1985
totally addicted
Metroplex has never shown any real ability to treat external worms. Not in my experience with it anyway. Prazipro can treat some types of intestinal worms, but not many. Metroplex being fed straight to the gut does that pretty darn well. General Cure, which contains powdered forms of both metro and prazi can usually take care of both problems in one medication though.
Prazipro does a pretty good job of clearing tapeworms (cestodes), but it must be administered orally for maximum effect. Otherwise, you are just hoping the fish drinks enough of it in the water to be useful.
Metro has no impact on external worms (like flukes, turbellarians); but when soaked in food is effective against tapeworms, Hexamita and other intestinal worms. If you just dose it in water, you have the same problem as described above with Prazipro.
Ok so metroplex or general cure with a binding agent for internal worms. Freshwater dip then prazipro administered externally for flatworms. This info is spread all over so it is a real treat to be able to firm it up in my head talking with you two.
The only symptom i read about that would cue me to feed metroplex is stringy white poop. Is there anything else I should look for to know i should be feeding metroplex? Do you do it to new fish while in qt even if they show no signs? Im not sure if an internal worm is even contagious.
The only symptom i read about that would cue me to feed metroplex is stringy white poop. Is there anything else I should look for to know i should be feeding metroplex? Do you do it to new fish while in qt even if they show no signs? Im not sure if an internal worm is even contagious.
White stringy poop is the primary symptom of intestinal worms, and fish who eat this poop can also be infected as eggs are often contained therein. Hexamita aka "Hole In The Head Disease" often has the additional symptom of tiny holes or pits near the head area.
I do not food soak metro prophylactically; I wait until I see stringy white poop. You can even food soak metro in the DT if symptoms are missed in QT.
