See "Active Ingredient" listings. 1H-Imidazole-1-ethanol, 2-methyl-5-nitro
http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.4029.html
http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.4029.html
New Life Spectrum Hex-Shield
- Thread starter RD.
- Start date
thanks rd I figured it was something that I wouldn't have understood without looking up every ingredient
Have heard good things about this. Thanks for the info. Metro and Mag Sulfate (epsom) plus vitamins and appetite enhancers. Sounds like a great combo for the Hex when they are still eating. Instructions say to feed 3 days twice a day. I will probably try 5 days and then quit it.
More does not always = better. Personally with metronidazole I would follow the recommended dosage.
I guess that would depend on how long those fish survived after treatment. Seeing as most discus kept in captivity only live 3-5 yrs on average, I wouldn't count on those stats equating to a long term success story.
Almost all fish medications have the potential to be dangerous and/or toxic at high enough dosage rates, or if used excessively. It's been stated by at least one researcher that excessive use of metronidazole can cause organ damage in fish.
How many days of food a fish should receive metro would be entirely dependent on the dosage rate of the metro found in the food. As an example, Dr. Edward J. Noga, MS, DVM, a highly respected professor of aquatic medicine and immunology, recommends 25 mg/Kg of body weight/day for 5 to 10 days, or 100 mg/kg of body weight for 3 days.
The owner of New Life had that info available to him before he put this food on the market. I know, because I spoke to him about it. So if Pablo states on his labels to feed 3 days twice a day, then personally that's what I would be doing.
Good luck.
Almost all fish medications have the potential to be dangerous and/or toxic at high enough dosage rates, or if used excessively. It's been stated by at least one researcher that excessive use of metronidazole can cause organ damage in fish.
How many days of food a fish should receive metro would be entirely dependent on the dosage rate of the metro found in the food. As an example, Dr. Edward J. Noga, MS, DVM, a highly respected professor of aquatic medicine and immunology, recommends 25 mg/Kg of body weight/day for 5 to 10 days, or 100 mg/kg of body weight for 3 days.
The owner of New Life had that info available to him before he put this food on the market. I know, because I spoke to him about it. So if Pablo states on his labels to feed 3 days twice a day, then personally that's what I would be doing.
Good luck.
It's very tough to say what dosages these fish are getting into them even if the amount in the pellets were known. Everything that I've read the past 10 years or so claims that Metro is very safe even in overdose amounts as long as it's not given over a long period of time. I am not concerned whatsoever about a 5 day regimen, but do appreciate your advice. The 5 days is up. 
If NLS scientists say 3 days, well I suppose that would be best for most fish.
I was going to counteract your reference with a few of my own, but I'm not about to argue with the producer of the product as to what is best. I just don't think it is long enough to do any long term damage.
I do believe most of the Discus owners would tell you the average life expectancy is 6-8 years with many Discus surviving 10 or more years. Not sure where you got 3? I'm not a Discus specialist, but I do trust their judgement as I trust the guys that breed Koi as there is a lot of money at stake and the science is well documented and current with those species more so than it seems to be with your 'average' ornamental fish.
In any case, thanks for posting and your advice.
If NLS scientists say 3 days, well I suppose that would be best for most fish. I was going to counteract your reference with a few of my own, but I'm not about to argue with the producer of the product as to what is best.
I just don't think it is long enough to do any long term damage. I do believe most of the Discus owners would tell you the average life expectancy is 6-8 years with many Discus surviving 10 or more years. Not sure where you got 3? I'm not a Discus specialist, but I do trust their judgement as I trust the guys that breed Koi as there is a lot of money at stake and the science is well documented and current with those species more so than it seems to be with your 'average' ornamental fish.
In any case, thanks for posting and your advice.
The info I posted regarding average lifespan of discus came from the owner/admin of simplydiscus.com, I believe in reference to a survey they had on their forum many years ago. As far as safety, I can only relate what the top researchers in this field suggest with regards to dosage amounts, and duration of treatment. If you prefer to place your trust elsewhere, that's certainly fine by me.
Well, the bottom line is that it's extremely unlikely 2 extra days of feeding is going to result in any damage considering the myriad of studies done on metronidazole and it's safety with fish. As I've mentioned, only studies that have overdosed fish for long periods have resulted in damage from what I've seen.
After having a look over at Simply Discus (I just logged in and found I had to PM's from my last log in in 2010 lol) I could only find this. I believe this is what you're referring to? http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?44652-DISCUS-LIFESPAN Reading the replies it should be obvious why the 1-3 year life span is not accurate as the poll is worded wrong in the first place. Not to mention many Discus keepers don't know what they're doing. Experienced fish keepers that have been in the hobby for 10+ years will tell you the average life span is closer to 6-8 years.
After having a look over at Simply Discus (I just logged in and found I had to PM's from my last log in in 2010 lol) I could only find this. I believe this is what you're referring to? http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?44652-DISCUS-LIFESPAN Reading the replies it should be obvious why the 1-3 year life span is not accurate as the poll is worded wrong in the first place. Not to mention many Discus keepers don't know what they're doing. Experienced fish keepers that have been in the hobby for 10+ years will tell you the average life span is closer to 6-8 years.
The bottom line is that one can do whatever they like, not my fish, not my problem. I'm certainly not holding a gun to anyones head. I was simply attempting to pass along some sound advice based on the manufacturers recommendation, and a number of his peers, some whom he knows personally, who specialize in the field of fish health/disease.
With regards to what I was referring to involving discus, once again, the info I posted regarding average lifespan of discus came from the owner/admin of simplydiscus.com. It was a conversation we had, and was not based on that poll itself, but a conversation that took place after the fact. Al being a very experienced discus keeper (at that time) assured me that 3-5 years was the average lifespan of most domestic discus in the hobby. Perhaps 10 yrs later his opinion has changed? Either way neither of our stats are based on hard facts or data, but I feel quite comfortable with the numbers I posted, and I know discus breeders that have been in the hobby for 30+ yrs.
Good luck with your fish.
With regards to what I was referring to involving discus, once again, the info I posted regarding average lifespan of discus came from the owner/admin of simplydiscus.com. It was a conversation we had, and was not based on that poll itself, but a conversation that took place after the fact. Al being a very experienced discus keeper (at that time) assured me that 3-5 years was the average lifespan of most domestic discus in the hobby. Perhaps 10 yrs later his opinion has changed? Either way neither of our stats are based on hard facts or data, but I feel quite comfortable with the numbers I posted, and I know discus breeders that have been in the hobby for 30+ yrs.
Good luck with your fish.
