General Cure and Wrasses

[Humblefish]

I would like to hear from those who have used the medication "API General Cure" on wrasses. Or also if you have ever used metronidazole (ex. Seachem Metroplex, Fishvet Metro-MS) on any wrasses.

Please provide as much detailed info as possible: Type of wrasse, how frequently you dosed, noticeable side effects, etc. And of course, did the wrasse live or die?

Just yesterday, it was brought to my attention (by a well respected member) that using GC may be harmful/lethal to wrasses. I am doing some research on my own, but I would also like everyone's help in getting to the bottom of this.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Not API general cure, but I'm currently using MetroPlex/Focus on two fairy wrasse (jordani and rhomboid) and a meleagris leopard. No side effects so far, but I'm only on day 2. I will keep you updated.

I'm feeding with frozen food twice a day using the dosage on the package (1 Tbs frozen: 1 measure MP: 5 measures Focus. I only am feeding as much as they will eat in a minute or two. I pre-mixed and refroze the medicated food, and just breaking off a little piece for each feeding. The package states that re-freezing is fine.

 

[ngoodermuth]

@evolved, I thought I read on one of your posts that you use, or have used general cure? Or, did I just make that up? [emoji23]

 

[Maritimer]

I used MetroPlex on the Quoy's parrotfish, early on. Used as a water-treatment, not as a food-treatment, as the fish wasn't actively feeding.

No ill effects that I noted, though that could hardly be called a successful QT.

Though not wrasses proper, parrotfish are considered labrids.

~Bruce, whose princess parrotfish, it turns out, is an impostor . . .

 

[melypr1985]

I haven't used general cure on a wrasse in a while, but will probably be feeding metroplex to my new leopard wrasse that's starting his QT today. I'll let you know how that goes. I've done it before with other wrasses at the store, but it's been a long time to remember the types of wrasse and all that. I know that a few survived and a few didn't. Mostly the ones that didn't came down with a bacterial infection and died quickly from that. I'll take notes on the ones I do from now on for you.

 

[Humblefish]

I haven't used general cure on a wrasse in a while, but will probably be feeding metroplex to my new leopard wrasse that's starting his QT today. I'll let you know how that goes. I've done it before with other wrasses at the store, but it's been a long time to remember the types of wrasse and all that. I know that a few survived and a few didn't. Mostly the ones that didn't came down with a bacterial infection and died quickly from that. I'll take notes on the ones I do from now on for you.

Thank you

 

[cmcoker]

I'll add that my Paracheilinus lineopunctatus did well with the general cure. All four doses, oops.

During all doses, the QT tank was at 2.0ppm Coppersafe.
Followed packet direction, dosed 2 packets for a 20g qt, water level is not filled so held back a pinch of one packet, maybe a 1/16th tsp. Repeated in 48 hours.
Forgot to repeat at 7 days, so dosed on day 10 and again on day 17 (3/16) per Humblefish did not do the 48 hour repeat as listed on the package.
The last 2 doses I used the entire 2 packets, the tank was only about a 1/4 inch low and had read a post that it was a lower concentration than prazipro and this fish had tolerated the other doses so well.
He has a little fin rot going right now, but by the third dose it didn't even phase him, would be looking for food when I added the powder. He's still just as ravenous and active as ever.

I'd be very interested to know what the problem seems to be, or if it's certain species as General cure is in my cart at Amazon to replace for the next qt. Which should hopefully be in a few weeks, and probably another wrasse and a Lawnmower blenny..

 

[melypr1985]

As we collect data we can add this to the chart for medications and fish as well!

 

[cmcoker]

@Humblefish, I remember you posting that the msds was listing something other than praziquantel but was old and it is now definitely praziquantel. Do you know if this information related to deaths was before or after the change in ingredients?

 

[Humblefish]

@Humblefish, I remember you posting that the msds was listing something other than praziquantel but was old and it is now definitely praziquantel. Do you know if this information related to deaths was before or after the change in ingredients?

The old formulation (from many years ago) was:

sodium chloride
metronidazole
trichlorfon
silica amorphous (fumed, crystalline free)
copper sulfate

The current listed ingredients are:

sodium chloride
Metronidazole (metronidazole)
praziquantel
silica amorphous, fumed, crystalline free

Source: http://www.apifishcare.com/pdf/Mars_Fishcare_-_General_Cure.pdf

So, they dropped trichlorfon (an insecticide) and copper sulfate (external parasites); but added praziquantel (a dewormer). I can see how any fish could die from being exposed to trichlorfon. But the new formulation should be much safer.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Quick update at the half-way mark. 5 days into metroplex treatment via 2x per day medicated food and no issues or side effects on any of the three wrasses I'm treating. I'm slowly adding copper to the mix, currently at .1 ppm adding .05/day. Hopefully they continue to tolerate both treatments.

 

[Humblefish]

So, I've been scouring through other forums looking for anecdotal accounts of using General Cure and metronidazole (exs. Metroplex, Metro-MS) on wrasses. I found hobbyists who have used both on all types of wrasses.

So far, I haven't noticed any unusual mortality rates and many have used both on wrasses just fine. Also, a LFS I advise reports no unusual losses using General Cure on wrasses.

However, out of an abundance of caution I will make it a point to use General Cure on all wrasses once I resume experimentation. And post my findings to this thread.

 

[cmcoker]

Will begin treatment with Metroplex, kanaplex, furan2 on my Paracheilinus lineopunctatus this evening. Will report if any issues.
I also plan to be stocking a few more wrasses this year probably a couple flashers, a possum, and maybe a Leopard.
I plan to use General Cure on all of them as part of my QT procedure and will post my success or failure as they occur as well.

 

[drawman]

So, I've been scouring through other forums looking for anecdotal accounts of using General Cure and metronidazole (exs. Metroplex, Metro-MS) on wrasses. I found hobbyists who have used both on all types of wrasses.

So far, I haven't noticed any unusual mortality rates and many have used both on wrasses just fine. Also, a LFS I advise reports no unusual losses using General Cure on wrasses.

However, out of an abundance of caution I will make it a point to use General Cure on all wrasses once I resume experimentation. And post my findings to this thread.

When you do resume experimentation keep the documentation coming . I think we all like to see the progress reports and it keeps us motivated!

 

[Humblefish]

When you do resume experimentation keep the documentation coming . I think we all like to see the progress reports and it keeps us motivated!

Will do. I get very frustrated and even a little depressed when I don't have sick fish to treat.

 

[evolved]

Just yesterday, it was brought to my attention (by a well respected member) that using GC may be harmful/lethal to wrasses.

Ummm.... *raises hand*

@evolved, I thought I read on one of your posts that you use, or have used general cure? Or, did I just make that up? [emoji23]

Yes, but it seems I was also the catalyst for this thread being created.


Here's the story: I switched from using just PraziPro to General Cure back in October. Since then, on three different attempts in three different QT tanks, I've wiped out the fish in one days time at some point in time during the QT process. All fine and eating one day, dead the next. In my years of being in the hobby, I have lost very few fish in QT, and nothing about my methods changed besides the meds. It has left me frustrated to say the least, and of course it's caused me to quit using General Cure. Being the only thing I can point at, it's a natural suspect. Of course, I have no idea if it's truly the cause.

The old formulation (from many years ago) was:


The current listed ingredients are:


Source: http://www.apifishcare.com/pdf/Mars_Fishcare_-_General_Cure.pdf

So, they dropped trichlorfon (an insecticide) and copper sulfate (external parasites); but added praziquantel (a dewormer). I can see how any fish could die from being exposed to trichlorfon. But the new formulation should be much safer.

That's interesting for sure. My batch was relatively recently order from one of the big marine stores and has an expiration next year (2018), so I doubt it's an old batch? And maybe there's just something "off" with the batch that I have - things happen of course.

So, I've been scouring through other forums looking for anecdotal accounts of using General Cure and metronidazole (exs. Metroplex, Metro-MS) on wrasses. I found hobbyists who have used both on all types of wrasses.

So far, I haven't noticed any unusual mortality rates and many have used both on wrasses just fine. Also, a LFS I advise reports no unusual losses using General Cure on wrasses.

However, out of an abundance of caution I will make it a point to use General Cure on all wrasses once I resume experimentation. And post my findings to this thread.

That's encouraging to hear (and a bit personally discouraging at the same time). But I'd rather be wrong about my suspect in this case.

Will do. I get very frustrated and even a little depressed when I don't have sick fish to treat.

Will frozen fish popsicles help? I have a few of those I could send now; popsicle sticks not included.

 

[ngoodermuth]

Tomorrow is the last day of metroplex-laced food for my three wrasses in QT, no issues through the process. The only issue I had was adding copper as the flame wrasse was not tolerating it well. I know it's not general cure, but that's what I got [emoji14]

 

[ngoodermuth]

Will do. I get very frustrated and even a little depressed when I don't have sick fish to treat.

I'm not keeping you busy enough helping my sick fish? [emoji51]

 

[4FordFamily]

I've fed dozens of wrasse (fairy, flasher, leopard, halichoeres, coris, and thalassoma) metroplex and focus in their food without any issues.

This isn't what you asked directly, but perhaps it's useful. I deworm all of my wrasse this way.

 

[Humblefish]

I'm not keeping you busy enough helping my sick fish? [emoji51]