Lufenuron and Diflubenzuron

The drug compound lufenuron, and its sister compound diflubenzuron, have proven to be the most effective treatments against large parasitic insects (such as fish lice and anchor worms). They are well known as a treatment for these pests in the koi and discus hobbies, but are virtually unknown in the guppy hobby. The dreaded guppy "clamping disease" is often misdiagnosed because it can have a number of different causes. However, when the disease is successfully identified as a parasitic insect infestation it is commonly combated with a plethora of outdated and ineffective treatment regimes. Yet, effective treatments have been at hand for years. Difulbenzuron and lufenuron have long been used as an extremely effective treatment for Lernea (Anchor Worm), Argulus (Fish Lice), Ergasilus and other insect parasites.

The problem with most traditional anti-parasitic treatments is that parasites have developed immunity to them. It's difficult for insects to develop immunity to lufenuron and diflubenzuron because the drugs interfere with the development of the insect. The insects never grow up to reproduce.

Lufenuron has actually been available to guppy hobbyists for a number of years. Lufenuron is the active ingredient in Novartis Program, a flea treatment for dogs. Since its release on the market as dog medication it has been wildly successful because of its efficacy. It was only a matter of time before aquatic scientists looked into its use in treating the same type of insect infecting fish.

Previously difllubenzuron was a prescription-only drug sold under the name Dimilin®. It was very hard to get as the manufacturer actually tried to prevent its use in the aquaculture industry until its efficacy and toxicity to fish were tested. Tests showed it is extremely effective and is relatively safe for fish. That's because it has a very high specificity for insects, and no effect on fish and other vertebrates. More technically these drugs are called chitin-synthesis inhibitors. They are in a class of drugs called "Gyrases" which act on insect metabolism to inhibit or stop the production of shell material (chitin). The insect cannot molt so it dies.

Recently we received good news. Diflubenzuron is now available as the active ingredient in Jungle Laboratories Pond Anchors Away. Now guppy breeders have easy access to the potent drug.

Action

Insects have a hard exoskeleton composed of chitin. Lufenuron inhibits chitin synthesis. Insects developing in eggs cannot form the chitin they need to break out of the egg shell. Larvae are not able to molt. It arrests the development of the crustacean, effectively killing it without affecting the host fish. Lufenuron inhibits insect development within the insect egg. This prevents the egg from maturing to an adult insect.

Effective Against

Macroscopic crustacea, such as Lernea (Anchor Worm), Argulus (Fish Lice), Ergasilus

Treatment Regime

The author has tested the product with guppies, using the same dosage as for Koi. The treatment dosage for Koi is 490 milligrams per 1,000 gallons.

The product in the form of Program is not very soluble. You must crush it into a fine powder and mix it with a gallon of water. (You may want to use a blender to suspend it in water.) UV and carbon filtration need to be discontinued. Worms or lice are cleared up in four days at 80F and five days at 68F.

Lufenuron is specific to the enzyme systems of insects so it is not toxic to fish. Animals have been given hundreds of times the recommended dosage without apparent effect. It does not affect the nitrogen cycle. As far as is known, lufenuron does not interact with other medications.

Jungle's Pond Anchors Away formulation of diflubenzuron uses one teaspoon for 50 U.S. gallons. The instructions on the packaging suggest treating three times, six days apart (three weeks).

Note that if you use live food, such as artemia, the drugs will kill these. Some breeders like to leave live foods swimming in the tank during the day. Lufenuron or Diflubenzuron will kill these.

Where to Get

Program is readily available without a vet's prescription in the U.S. and Canada. It may require a vet's prescription in other countries. Available as an oral suspension, in 45mg, 90mg, 204.9 mg, and 409.8 mg tablets. Included in Sentinel Heartworm for dogs.

Diflubenzuron is available as Dimilin®. However this formulation is usually prescription-only. Recently it has become available in aquarium shops as Jungle Laboratories Pond Anchors Away. At the time of this writing, the product was not available in smaller sizes. Only the Pond version of Anchors Away shows diflubenzuron as its active ingredient, at least at the time of this writing (August, 2002).

Diflubenzuron is also available from Jungle Labs in the Gold Care line as Parasite Care. Its other ingredient is trichlorfon.