pipzine or metronidazole

[Ron Popeil]

which is better for treating internal parasites?
which is better when used mixed with food?
which is better used just in water?
can they be mixed, one as a food, one administered into the water?

experiences?

 

[Rondelet]

The answers to these questions really depend on which internal parasites you're targeting.

Metronidazole is indicated for protozoal infections; whereas piperazine is indicated for nematode (aka roundworm) infections.

Metronidazole can be mixed with the food (see below), as can piperazine. I am not sure what dose rate you would use for piperazine, but Gratzek & Blasiola (1992) suggest an incorporation rate (in feed) of 0.25%. I'm not sure I would add either to the water for treating an internal infection - mainly because I doubt you would achieve therapeutic serum concentrations. Keep in mind that while metronidazole has a very wide safety margin. I doubt the same is true for piperazine, which is a neurotoxin. Can't say much else regarding piperazine as I've never used it.

I have used metronidazole for the treatment of external protozoans. However, I can't say however effective the drug was. When used in conjunction with other options (used of cleaner shrimp and UV) it seemed to help. I do note that it did very little when added to the water as the infection I was dealing with seemed to get cyclically worse. However, formulation can play a big role as some incorporate carriers, which may facility uptake by the tissues. Nonetheless, I did suspect that the in-water treatment affected my biological filter as my water parameters (ammonia/nitrate) shot up shortly after a long treatment course at a very high dose. I then switch to an in-feed treatment using an incorporation rate of 250mg/100 g of feed. I made the medicated feed myself using fresh/frozen stuff in a blender with gelatine, and then froze it. I fed this 2x/day for 8 days. Like I said, I feel it helped but it's very difficult to say with any certainly. At least the fish tolerated it very well.

Not sure I would mix the two - mainly due to a lack of knowledge on possible negative interactions.

Not sure if this answers all your questions. Can't stress enough though that I would start with a clear (or as best as you can get) diagnosis before considering treatment options. Not doing so is essentially a waste of time, money and will only delay initiating the proper treatment/course of action.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ron Popeil]

i really appreciate the very thorough response, thank you. the reason i am considering treatment for internal parasites is due to the continuous recommendation that all WC clowns be dewormed. helps with breeding and such if theyre getting all the nutrients in their diet, and not sharing it with parasites.
and also, a female clown of mine, while enjoying a hearty appetite and a nice full round belly, seems to slope up near her vent in an unusual way. not so much a nice gradual curve as i would expect. so i mixed in a single capsule into 1.5 ounces of thawed mysis shrimp and plan to use this over the course of 7 days or so as food in a 10 gallon QT tank with daily 20% water changes.

i was also thinking of running either the metro or pipzine in the water concurrent to the food treatment. but didnt know if this would cause a negative reaction, or overdose.

again thank you for the detailed response.