What to Give Fish for Tapeworms

Fish are not immune to contracting a parasitic worm infection. Symptoms of an infected fish can include dull and lifeless behavior, anorexia and slow growth. Common infections include hexamita, roundworms, capillaria, threadworms, tape worms, metacercaria and sanguinicola. Fish that regularly consume live food are at the most risk for becoming infected with worms. De-worming should occur regularly, such as once per month, in order to maintain the health of the fish and encourage them to thrive.

  1. Metronidazole

    • A common treatment for tapeworms is the introduction of metronidazole, a common veterinary antibiotic, into the water. The most common dosage is to use two 200 mg tablets dissolved in water per 50 gallons of aquarium water. This process should be repeated for up to five days. The fish should begin showing signs of improvement quickly. This process should be repeated on a monthly basis to treat and prevent tapeworm infections.

    Praziquantel

    • Praziquantel is another commonly used treatment for tapeworm infection in fish. The contents of one capsule per 20 gallons of aquarium water should be dissolved into a tank that has recently had at least a 75 percent water change. Filtration systems should continue to run, but activated charcoal and UV sterilization should be removed to prevent inactivating the drug. Treatment should continue for five to seven days and can be repeated after three to five days, if required. This drug can be used regularly as a preventative measure. This medication should only be used on pet fish and not for fish that will be consumed by humans. This is because Praziquantel can be toxic to humans.

    Conditions for Use

    • Be careful when using de-wormers in fish used for food and make sure that you keep all medications out of the reach of children, as medications approved for use in fish may be toxic to humans. Tapeworms are also communicable to humans, not to mention devastating to the health of the fish carrying the burden. Fish should be de-wormed at the first hint of illness, especially those that are intended for human consumption. Check with your local veterinarian before de-worming food fish to prevent accidental poisoning.