11 replies to this topic

[bobd]

Does anybody know if Flubendazole is available in Perth (or Aust) and where? I am battling skinny syndrome in my favourite clown and so far levamisole hydrochloride and Sterazyn have done nothing to help this clown back to health. I was advised of the product by someone very knowledgeable in the UK but haven't had any luck finding it so far. Any other suggestions would be welcome also.

[Leevers]

Salt my friend.

salt is a good substitute for alot of medications. add a tablespoon of salt per 20L, but do not add too much as it is a tropical fish. however, the salt will aid in fish health.

Oliver would be the man to speak to about this though

Pm Mr_docfish

[Mr_docfish]

Thanks Leevers,

bobd, if the levamisole did not work at eradicating worms then I would feel that the fish is not suffering from worms, and if the sterazin did not work at controlling flukes, then that can be ruled out too. Flubendazole, fenbendazole, mebendazole and oxbendazole are all antihelmenthics, that is they are basically like Levamisole and get rid of worms. You might not need to use these if the Levamisole would not work, though some of these different derivatives might be more affective than others in controlling different worms.
If your clown loach is loosing condition, the best bet is to place it in a bare glass tank with a small filter and heater and try feeding it on live tubifex or black worms. If you find it will not eat, then you have your cause for its potential demise. Many loaches will refuse to eat for one reason or another, keeping it by itself and offering live food might change its mind. BTW keep this tank in quiet part of the house and give the loach a pipe to hide in.
If you still want to try the Flubendazole treatment, you can get it as a sheep dip (active ingredient) from agricultural suppliers or your vet. You can also get the other products mentioned above as cat and dog dewormers and also as human dewormers (Combantrin and Vermox). Each has a different dose rate so read up on them first, and you might find that these products are best used when mixed in food (difficult if the fish wont eat).

Hope all this helps you make the right decision,
regards,
Oliver

[FishGal]

Salt my friend.

salt is a good substitute for alot of medications. add a tablespoon of salt per 20L, but do not add too much as it is a tropical fish. however, the salt will aid in fish health.

I've read a couple of times that Clowns actually aren't that tolerant of too much salt and it should be used sparingly with them, does anyone know if that is that true?

[madasa]

Fishgals right - 40litres dilution better.

I wonder what the faeces is like in this clown - cant be worms if levisamole didnt work unless you mucked up from the instructions.

I have hexamita in my mind and would seperate as suggested and treat with metro.

Pete

[Noddy65]

Hey there
The true Flubendazole cant be sold In Aus or NZ anymore, it was used as a sheep dip etc but isnt being manufactured here anymore.....Ive tried getting it directly from the drug companies.

The other ....azoles can be used but check dosages carefully.

Levamisole can be used but check the dosage carefully and Id strongly suggest doing a Google for sensitivity to the species of fish in your tanks.

Mike

[Mr_docfish]

Hey there
The true Flubendazole cant be sold In Aus or NZ anymore, it was used as a sheep dip etc but isnt being manufactured here anymore.....Ive tried getting it directly from the drug companies.

The other ....azoles can be used but check dosages carefully.

Levamisole can be used but check the dosage carefully and Id strongly suggest doing a Google for sensitivity to the species of fish in your tanks.

Mike

Good point mike, just looked at my supply, and yes Flubendazole is not on my list, but Fenbendazole (trade name - panacure) is still there.
The most important point here, as has been said, is the dosages for each product differers so check it up first (consider the percent of active ingredient as well).
Do think hard whether you should or should not treat with these products or others. If the fish refuses to eat, then I guess you have nothing to loose, just treat it in a separate tank by itself, don't subject the other fish to thee chemicals unless you have to.

Good luck,
Oliver

[bobd]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The clown is Basil, my oldest loach -8" SL when I got her 9 years ago. I don't want to isolate her in a small tank (my only option) in case the stress gets her.
She has a good appetite and despite my delivering food directly to her she is staying skinny.
Regarding Levamisole dosage, I was told 1 ml per 7 litres of water was the dose for Big L (levamisole hydrochloride 16mg/l) and it has worked at that rate in the past. Does that sound right?
The reason I was asking about flubendazole is it was recommended by someone who runs an aquarium shop in the UK that specialises in loaches. She uses levamisole regularly on new imports and found flubendazole effective when levamisole wasn't. I don't know whether I would risk any other "azole" without a recommendation from a knowledgeable source so am not sure where to go from here.

[madasa]

Thanks for the replies everyone. The clown is Basil, my oldest loach -8" SL when I got her 9 years ago. I don't want to isolate her in a small tank (my only option) in case the stress gets her.
She has a good appetite and despite my delivering food directly to her she is staying skinny.
Regarding Levamisole dosage, I was told 1 ml per 7 litres of water was the dose for Big L (levamisole hydrochloride 16mg/l) and it has worked at that rate in the past. Does that sound right?
The reason I was asking about flubendazole is it was recommended by someone who runs an aquarium shop in the UK that specialises in loaches. She uses levamisole regularly on new imports and found flubendazole effective when levamisole wasn't. I don't know whether I would risk any other "azole" without a recommendation from a knowledgeable source so am not sure where to go from here.

Thats the dose I use when worming discus

[Terry]

I can get hold of Dimetridazole, it's used for bacterial problems.
The dose rate is 1 tsp to 250 ltrs and it ends in azole

Cheers Terry

[Mr_docfish]

There are two types of products here - Flubendazole, Oxfendazole, Albendazole, Fenbendazole etc are synthetic anthelmintics belonging to the benzimidazole carbamates
dimetridazole, metronidazole etc are used against anaerobic bacteria (but now used primarily in animals against flagellates) from the group of nitroimidazole compounds

If you are not sure what compound is which, google it and see what it treats, at the same time you will find the suggested dosage.
To be sure again, post your findings here so ideas can be bounced of the group to ensure that the product that you choose is likely to work for the problem you suspect and not harm the species of fish to wish to treat. Keep in mind that the material on the internet may not specify the species of fish that you have, unless you are lucky.
Also keep in mind that many products are not available in the country and others may require a vet to prescribe it - there are reasons for this:
Recently the use of nitroimidazoles has been under severe restrictions by the APVMA in Australia - http://www.apvma.gov...tridazole.shtml
Anyone obtaining nitroimidazoles should make themselves aware of the potential side effects (shown to be mutagenic).
This is part of a statement from the APVMA - to vary labels for products which will remain in the market to include amended safety directions and a warning statement indicating that dimetridazole may cause genetic damage in users.

Many people are not aware that a lot of chemicals that we use in aquariums today can be hazardous. Unfortunately the labelling in this country in inadequate but on the other side - fortunately we are still allowed to use these chemicals for now.

This is just a word (or two) of caution over products that are not 'normally' available over the counter.

Oliver

[Neakit]

don't know if this is the right spot to say this, but i have used sheep drench with success