Metronidazole

Metronidazole is an antibacterial and protozoal drug. It is widely used to kill any bacteria in the body causing infection.

Action

Metronidazole is especially effective against anaerobic (no oxygen) infections. Anaerobic bacteria live abscessed tissues and tumors. In anaerobic tissues, the metronidazole molecule undergoes a change that results in it inhibiting DNA repair of anaerobic cells.

Metronidazole has been associated with birth defects when given to pregnant humans.

Effective Against

In ornamental fish it is widely used as an effective antibiotic against protozoal infections. It is particularly effective for Hexamita sp. in guppies. It is also a remedy for the control of "Hole in the Head" in cichlid and discus.

Metronidazole is used on dogs and cats as an anti-inflammatory in the large intestine and an anti-diarrhea medication.

Treatment Regime

Caution: Metronidazole has been shown to be carcinogenic in mice and rats. It should be used in a well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with the eyes and the hands. If you do come in contact with it, wash the area for 20 minutes under running water and seek medical help.

Metronidazole can be administered in food, in a bath or added directly to the water. The most effective administration is through food.

Food: 2 tsp. per pound of food for ten days (fed exclusively) Bath: 5 mg/l or 18.9 mg/gallon (not effective for internal parasites) five days Water: 250 mg per 10 U.S. gallons every other day for three treatments. Do a 30% water change before each treatment.

Where to Get

Metronidazole is available as an ingredient in a few fish store medications (such as Metrozole, Fish Zole, Paragon II, and Aquatronics Hex-a-mit). Clout contains metronidazole, tricholorofon and malachite green. However the quality or freshness of fish store medications are always suspect.

We found it at Pondrx.com where it is sold as a Koi remedy called Metromed. We bought the 1.25 lb size. It comes in large size pellets, which we ground smaller in a coffee grinder. We fed out guppies exclusively with this food for 1 week. It is largely made of krill, so the guppies ate it readily. Our guppies were not sick. We used it as a prophylactic.

It is available over the Internet as a veterinarian medication (Flagyl or Fish-Zole).

The best source if the pharmacy. Prescription brand names In the U.S:

Flagyl, Flagyl I.V., Flagyl I.V. RTU, Metric 21, Metro I.V., Protostat, Generic name product may be available.

Prescription brand names in Canada:

Apo-Metronidazole, Flagyl, Novonidazol, Trikacide, A generic name product may be available.