Praziquantel

Praziquantel is a highly effective, safe anthelmintic (deworming) medication used to treat internal and external flatworms, flukes, and tapeworms in fish. It works by altering the permeability of the parasite's cell membrane, leading to rapid muscle contraction, paralysis, and expulsion. It is well tolerated by almost all species of freshwater and marine fish.

Indications

Flukes: Targets skin flukes (Gyrodactylus) and gill flukes (Dactylogyrus).
Tapeworms: Eradicates internal tapeworms (Cestodes) in the intestinal tract.
Turbellarians: Effective against marine flatworms.

Dosage & Application

Standard Treatment: Dose 2.0 to 2.5 mg/L (ppm) in the water column. A single treatment is often sufficient, but a second dose 5-7 days later is highly recommended. Praziquantel does not kill eggs, so the second dose is necessary to eliminate newly hatched larvae. Perform a 25-50% water change before the second dose.

Safety Notes

Extremely safe: Does not affect the biological filter, live plants, or common invertebrates such as shrimp and snails.
May affect ornamental worms (like fan worms, feather dusters). Avoid in tanks housing valuable ornamental worms.
Remove active carbon, purge chemical media, and turn off UV during treatment.
Ensure adequate oxygenation during the treatment period as a slight bacterial bloom could occur, temporarily reducing dissolved oxygen.

Leaflet Extract

Safe for use in planted aquariums and with invertebrates. May cause temporary loss of appetite or lethargy in fish. A second dose is strongly recommended after 5-7 days to kill newly hatched parasites.

Chemical Data

Formula: C19H24N2O2

Molar Mass: 312.41 g/mol

Anthelmintic drug effective against flatworms, tapeworms, and flukes.

Safety Hazards (GHS)

•Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects