API General Cure — Broad-Spectrum Antiparasitic Treatment

10-Pack Powder Packets

$27.03

API General Cure — Broad-Spectrum Antiparasitic Treatment

$27.03

API General Cure is a dual-active antiparasitic powder combining metronidazole and praziquantel — two clinically distinct compounds that target fundamentally different parasite classes. Understanding exactly what each ingredient treats (and what it doesn't) prevents treatment failures and the costly delay of the wrong medication while fish deteriorate.

Active Ingredients & Scientifically Accurate Targets

Ingredient	Confirmed Targets	Mechanism
Metronidazole	Hexamita and Spironucleus spp. (hole-in-the-head disease / HLLE in cichlids and tangs); internal flagellated protozoa	Disrupts DNA replication in anaerobic and microaerophilic organisms
Praziquantel	Monogenean flukes: gill flukes (Dactylogyrus spp.) and skin flukes (Gyrodactylus spp.); some cestodes (tapeworms); fish lice (Argulus spp.)	Disrupts membrane calcium ion permeability in flatworms, causing paralysis and detachment from host tissue

What General Cure Does NOT Effectively Treat

Neither metronidazole nor praziquantel is effective against:

Freshwater ich (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis): requires heat treatment, copper, formalin, or malachite green
Marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans): requires copper (chelated or ionic), chloroquine phosphate, or hyposalinity in a quarantine system
Marine velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum): a dinoflagellate — requires copper treatment at 2.0–2.5 ppm maintained for 14–21 days minimum
Bacterial infections: use erythromycin (gram-positive) or minocycline (gram-negative)

Disease Identification Guide

Hole-in-the-head / HLLE: Pitting erosions along the lateral line and head, most common in cichlids (oscars, discus) and tangs. Caused by Hexamita/Spironucleus. Metronidazole is the first-line treatment.
Gill flukes (Dactylogyrus): Rapid or labored gill movement, gasping at the surface, flashing, mucus on gills, pale or inflamed gill tissue. Praziquantel is first-line.
Skin flukes (Gyrodactylus): Flashing/scratching against surfaces, excess mucus, skin redness or erosion, fins clamped. Praziquantel is first-line.
Fish lice (Argulus): Visible disc-shaped parasites (5–10mm) attached to skin, intense irritation, localized hemorrhage at attachment sites. Praziquantel + manual removal.

Compatibility

Safe for freshwater and saltwater fish
Not safe for invertebrates (praziquantel is toxic to snails, shrimp, and other inverts — remove before treatment)
Safe for biological filtration at labeled doses
Remove activated carbon before treatment