Nets
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Gill and Skin Fluke Treatments
Praziquantel:  Gill and Skin Flukes:

A Trematodicide:

Praziquantel induces a rapid contraction of schistosomes (a worm or fluke) by a specific effect on the permeability of
the cell membrane. The drug further causes vacuolization (causes more and larger spaces or cavities within each
individual cell) and disintegration of the cells as well as the Schistosome tegument (the fluke body covering). Bursting
or breakdown of the cell walls might be a much simpler way of describing it and may be equally correct.

Praziquantel must be ingested by the fluke to work. The dosage is one gram per 100 gallons of water. Currently the
directions suggest using level tablespoons to measure the product. That is a mistake. In my experience a level
tablespoon may hold anywhere from 2.5 to 4.5 grams of product. Not only is this wasteful and inaccurate; it is also very
expensive. Please use a gram scale. Calibrate it often.

Since it does not mix readily with water a label dosage, ProformC may be used, or it can be dosed with the ProformC as
part of the treatment described above. Once it is fully dissolved it does not seem to filter out or precipitate. It simply
degrades over time. When using Praziquantel, the water temperature should be in the mid-seventies. The first and all
succeeding treatments should last seven days each whether treating for gill flukes (Dactylogyrus) or skin flukes
(Gyrodactylus). 25% water changes should be made between treatments. Redosing will immediately bring it to the
strength needed to kill flukes. I strongly recommend a second if not a third application of this product due to the life
cycle of the flukes as well as the thickness of the slime coat on koi. In colder waters (60*F to 70*F) a third and even a
fourth application should be considered when treating for gill flukes. Because of the cost of Praziquantel and the
reduced treatment time it is well worth the effort to bring the temperature up to optimum.

Praziquantel as a Kicker:

At times I've had situations where the standard doses and protocol of the ProformC and Praziquantel simply doesn't
seem to work. In those situations I dose with a standard dose on day one. Then I wait 48 hours and redose with another
standard treatment and allow that to stand for ten days. Warning: It seems that there may be different "concentrations"
of Praziquantel products so if you use these directions observe for "head-standing" which indicates that the product is
too strong and must be diluted by water change immediately. At the end of ten days I scrape and scope. If the water
temperature is in the mid-seventies the flukes will be gone. Lower temperatures will require a repetition of the
treatments after a 50% water change. I have never seen any ill effect whether in soft or hard water with this treatment.
Although I am simply using ProformC as a mixing agent I like to see it used at full dosage just in case there are other
parasites not found in the scrape and scope procedure.

Supaverm:

Know that this product has been accused of burning fins and suppressing the immune system. In the UK , there are
more reports surfacing regarding the long range effect on the immune system as they have been using it for several
years longer than here in the US . Therefore I would strongly urge that it be avoided. There are several methods for
reducing flukes which are much safer. I do not regard this sheep de-wormer as safe for our koi.

Fenbendazole:

An older type de-wormer which seems to work at times, the dosage is 1 gram per 100 gallons and is used the same
way as Praziquantel.

Chloramine T:

For bacterial gill disease. Dosing is 5.8 grams per 100 gallons, three to five times consecutively. This will no doubt kill
your filter so either shut it down or bypass it. Do not mix this with any other treatments.


Dimilin (diflubenzuron 25% wettable powder):

Actually this is an insecticide for greenhouse use. This powder works well in eradicating anchor worm (Lernea) and fish
lice (Argulus). One gram will treat 3000 gallons. It is quite forgiving and an overdose usually will not cause irreparable
harm. The parasites should be removed by soaking them in iodine or potassium permanganate paste and pulling them
carefully with a tweezers. Sedating(described below)the fish will prevent uncontrolled thrashing and further damage to
the fish during this process. No ill effect is noted from sedation.

There are liquid forms of Dimilin on the market. Follow the label directions.