tapeworms in tank

[guppy]

Levamisole is supposed to be better for killing thread worms and some nematodes but is harder on the fish, it is actually a dewormer for pigs and cattle. Praziquantel is easier on the fish, especially when young, it is also supposed to be effective with a wider variety of parasites, esp. tapeworms. As Roliva said, small hairlike projections are nematodes (round worms), Pale, flat ribbons or small rectangles like bits of paper are tapeworms. Here is a picture of some tapeworms that have left some young bowfins after the bowfins were killed.

 

[contender]

yep, thats what in my micropeltes, and i am only assuming thats whats swimming around in my tank.

 

[Dkarc]

Yep, the treatment is the same for tapeworms as for round worms, use one of the medicated foods or mix your own following the dosage on the package, also treat the tank especially if it shares it with any other fish. It sounds like a heavy infestation. Jungle brands is one manufacturer that makes both pellets and a tablet for the tank, it will take care of both round worms, tapeworms and most flukes. Any product containing praziquantel will work. Unless the fish is wild caught it probably got themfrom infected feeder fish. If your fish won't take other foods and you have a suspect source for feeders quarantine them for a week in praziquantel treated water. If you can't find the fish product try a vetrinarian, it is used to deworm dogs as well.

Prazi is useful ONLY on tapeworms...for nematodes/roundworms you need something like levamisol, ivermectin, panacur, or flubendazole. I prefer levamisole since it treats all fish in the tank as it is applied as a bath, but I also use panacur as follow up/preventative treatments when the fish are eating well since panacur can only be applied into food. Deworming your fish every 4-6 months will do wonders for you...more than you realize.

-Ryan

 

[guppy]

I have been fortunate in that I have only rarely encountered any worms or flukes in my tanks, They always came from infected feeders, or wild caught fish.
I did a little digging and found that you are indeed correct that praziquantel is not effective in curing nematodes although it is very effective against both tapeworms and flukes. This made me wonder so I looked up the meds I have used on my fish. Each contained in addition to praziquantel and metronidazole, either flubendazole or levamisol, I just never noticed.
I am curious as to why you would need to deworm your fish so often unless you are having to use suspect feeders. I can really only think of a couple circumstances that would call for that. 1) infected feeders, 2) use of wild caught daphnia or arthropods as fry food, 3) use of outdoor ponds that are visited by waterfowl, and 4) incompletely curing the initial infestation ( this is why I use both the water treatment for the tank and the food for the fish, either used alone can leave a residual infestation).
I am not disagreeing with your methods, just curious as to your reasons.

 

[fishnutham]

That is a good price, I looked up the med and it is another one based on praziquantel and also contains metronidazole so will also knock out hexamita and many other protozoals. The product gets good reviews as very effective and consistent. Thanks Phreakyfaerie! Here is one source http://shop.petsmart.com/product/2534374302023693/2534374302030134/845524441809667.htm

i've used the same product it does work well..

 

[Dkarc]

The main reason why you need to deworm 2-3x a year is because you are never fully able to erradicate them from the fish...especially nematodes/roundworms. This is because of the lifecycle of the worms. That, and the eggs of the worms are not effected by the medication. And for best growth, its best to deworm fry more frequently. Have been doing this practice on all my growouts and pairs for a long time now...pairs always eating, always producing huge spawns and fry grow very fast....1"+ per month if things are done right. But, a lot of people dont like this practice...they say it damages their liver and kidney's after a while. I had several fish tested after people made these claims and all that were tested came back with perfectly healthy organs. Maybe its because I also feed lecithin into their diet that there is no damage...who knows. Works for me.

-Ryan

 

[guppy]

Makes sense to me, but I am also thinking that your are talking about a lot of fish

 

[Dkarc]

Lol, yes...I am. But there isnt any reason why it cant be done with a normal hobbyist either. Between deworming the fish on a consistent basis, along with adding in amino acids and upping the lipid content of the food, you can easily get 1"+ per month growth on discus...maybe the same applies to other fish too...

-Ryan

 

[tenzokenny]

thank you guppy for the advice