Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
-
jingleTingle - Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2023 1:41 am
Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
I'm thinking of adding metronidazole to my frozen beefheart mix. Does it make a difference or is it a waste of time? Can I use it alongside my standard metro treatment - .5 to .75 grams in the water column every day or every other day for 10 days?
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
To target internal hexamita, I'd recommend mixing 2 teaspoons of metronidazole per pound of food. Frozen food works well for this. Simply thaw the food, mix in the powder, then place it in a ziplock bag. Lay it flat in the freezer until it's frozen solid. You can then feed this to your fish once a day for a 10-day treatment period.
To target internal hexamita, I'd recommend mixing 2 teaspoons of metronidazole per pound of food. Frozen food works well for this. Simply thaw the food, mix in the powder, then place it in a ziplock bag. Lay it flat in the freezer until it's frozen solid. You can then feed this to your fish once a day for a 10-day treatment period.
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
I've been digging through some info on the SD FB group and I think I found a solid answer to the question of whether metronidazole loses its punch in water. Thanks to David Lai for pointing me in the right direction. The NIH article I found says no, it doesn't lose effectiveness: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26714365/.
Now, about freezing - the science isn't conclusive, but from what I've gathered from experienced discus keepers like Cary Strong, it's probably best to avoid freezing metronidazole. I'd love to hear more about your experiences feeding discus with metronidazole mixed into frozen food.
I've been digging through some info on the SD FB group and I think I found a solid answer to the question of whether metronidazole loses its punch in water. Thanks to David Lai for pointing me in the right direction. The NIH article I found says no, it doesn't lose effectiveness: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26714365/.
Now, about freezing - the science isn't conclusive, but from what I've gathered from experienced discus keepers like Cary Strong, it's probably best to avoid freezing metronidazole. I'd love to hear more about your experiences feeding discus with metronidazole mixed into frozen food.
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
I'm with Jay on this one. Every discus that stops eating on Facebook seems to need metro. Don't get it. Clean water is always the answer.
I'm with Jay on this one. Every discus that stops eating on Facebook seems to need metro. Don't get it. Clean water is always the answer.
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
I've had my share of sick discus, even with rigorous water changes and feeding. So, I'm not buying the 'no meds' approach. If a fish gets sick, quarantine and meds are the way to go.
That being said, I'm still puzzled about adding metro to beefheart. This stuff works just fine as a bath - as long as you follow the instructions. I've seen it be super effective in water - dosage and duration are key. Mixing it into beefheart just seems like a recipe for disaster - you'd lose control of the dosage.
I've had my share of sick discus, even with rigorous water changes and feeding. So, I'm not buying the 'no meds' approach. If a fish gets sick, quarantine and meds are the way to go.
That being said, I'm still puzzled about adding metro to beefheart. This stuff works just fine as a bath - as long as you follow the instructions. I've seen it be super effective in water - dosage and duration are key. Mixing it into beefheart just seems like a recipe for disaster - you'd lose control of the dosage.
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
I agree with wilde. I've also seen fish get sick despite good tank conditions. Daily water changes and proper feeding aren't always enough. If a fish gets sick, quarantine and meds are necessary. I don't get why people want to mix metro into beefheart, though. It's effective as a bath when used correctly. Controlling the dosage is key, and mixing it into food makes that impossible.
I agree with wilde. I've also seen fish get sick despite good tank conditions. Daily water changes and proper feeding aren't always enough. If a fish gets sick, quarantine and meds are necessary. I don't get why people want to mix metro into beefheart, though. It's effective as a bath when used correctly. Controlling the dosage is key, and mixing it into food makes that impossible.
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
The reason I prefer giving metro in food is because it's more effective in clearing Hexamita orally. If your fish are eating, you can clear out most of the Hexamita from the gut in just a day or two. On the other hand, metronidazole in solution isn't well absorbed, so you'd need to use high doses for a longer period to see results.
I stumbled upon a study from the University of Florida, done back in 1991 by an aquaculture vet, comparing oral and water treatments of metronidazole for Hexamita in angelfish. The results were pretty clear: the oral route is much more effective. If your fish aren't eating, then adding metro to the water is your only option, but if they are eating, I think it's worth trying the oral route first.
The reason I prefer giving metro in food is because it's more effective in clearing Hexamita orally. If your fish are eating, you can clear out most of the Hexamita from the gut in just a day or two. On the other hand, metronidazole in solution isn't well absorbed, so you'd need to use high doses for a longer period to see results.
I stumbled upon a study from the University of Florida, done back in 1991 by an aquaculture vet, comparing oral and water treatments of metronidazole for Hexamita in angelfish. The results were pretty clear: the oral route is much more effective. If your fish aren't eating, then adding metro to the water is your only option, but if they are eating, I think it's worth trying the oral route first.
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
Re: Adding Metro to frozen food / Beefheart
I see your point about oral consumption being more effective, but for me, a bath has always gotten the job done. It's a tried and true method that I've found to be extremely manageable.
My approach is to do 3 treatments, spaced 48 hours apart, with a water change in between. This regimen has consistently delivered results, so I'm not convinced that adding metro to beefheart is a necessary step. Plus, let's be real, we're not working in a controlled aquaculture environment here - we can't possibly replicate the same level of precision as the pros.
I see your point about oral consumption being more effective, but for me, a bath has always gotten the job done. It's a tried and true method that I've found to be extremely manageable.
My approach is to do 3 treatments, spaced 48 hours apart, with a water change in between. This regimen has consistently delivered results, so I'm not convinced that adding metro to beefheart is a necessary step. Plus, let's be real, we're not working in a controlled aquaculture environment here - we can't possibly replicate the same level of precision as the pros.