Feeding Metronidazole with another food containing Praziquantel? Kanaplex as well?

[DiamondPink]

I'm currently treating a betta fish for what I'm suspecting to be an internal parasitic infection (symptoms include prominent abdominal bloating (withOUT raised scales and that hasn't responded to usual constipation treatments - a 3 day fast followed by feeding a blanched pea) and stringy, trailing feces that have recently changed from a light brown color to clear). The fish is still eating and I'm hoping to be able to feed him medication to treat this. So here's my question:

Because I don't know what kind of parasite/protozoa/possibly even bacteria I'm dealing with, I'd like to treat for a wide range to try to catch whatever the culprit is, so...

- - - - - > Can I feed Seachem Metronidazole (as directed) in addition to a medicated food containing only Praziquantel, or could there be an interaction between the two medications?
- - - - - > And could I feed Kanaplex along with these medications if signs of a bacterial infection became apparent?

Thanks in advance for any input/advice you can give!

[Tech Support AN]

Thanks for the post and I'm very sorry to hear about your betta.

I would recommend using both the Metronidazole and Kanaplex in a medicated food mix with Focus (binding agent) and Garlicguard (contains antimicrobial properties, while boosting the immune system). You can use 1-2 scoops of both medications to 1-2 scoops of the Focus, soak in the Garlicguard for 15-20 mins. Feed the Metronidazole daily, while feeding the Kanaplex every other day. This should take care of any internal bacterial or parasitic infections that your betta may have.

I would not recommend mixing any of the medication with the Praziquantel.

I hope this helps and let us know if you need further assistance.

[DiamondPink]

Thank you so much for the information, that sounds like a great starting point.

- - - - - Just to clarify, would the metronidazole be able to take care of most possible parasitic/protozoan infections my fish could be dealing with? As he does have pronounced abdominal bloating (and I had read that this could indicate flatworms, though I don't have any other indicator) I'm hoping to treat quickly and with a medication/medications that would eradicate all possible organisms. That was the reason that I was looking at an anthelmintic such as praziquantel as well.

- - - - - - If metronidazole won't cover all possible parasites, is there another Seachem medicine that I could use to fill in the treatment gaps?

- - - - - - Finally, I have noticed another fish of mine (kept in a separate tank which is maintained with entirely separate equipment) experiencing similar stringy/clear feces and am concerned he may be dealing with a similar infection. I'm concerned that frozen food that I feed may have been a source of parasitic contamination, and I'm considering treating all of my fish as a preventative. Is metronidazole normally quite well tolerated by fish such as bettas?

Thanks again so much for your advice!

[Tech Support MS]

The Metronidazole will take care of most common internal parasites. KanaPlex will also help with such infections and all of these products will help prevent secondary bacterial infections. It would not be a bad idea to treat all of your fish with this medicated food mix from time to time. This will help ensure that parasites do not become a problem in the future.