{"product_id":"fritz-expel-p-antiparasitic-fish-treatment","title":"Fritz Expel-P — Levamisole HCl Nematode Treatment","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eActive ingredient: Levamisole HCl\u003c\/strong\u003e (nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist \/ anthelmintic)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLevamisole acts as an agonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) in nematode muscle tissue. Nematode nAChRs are far more sensitive to levamisole than vertebrate receptors — the drug causes sustained spastic paralysis of parasitic worms, which are then expelled from the fish's gastrointestinal tract. Paralyzed worms do not die immediately; they are expelled alive and must be physically removed from the tank to prevent ammonia spikes as they decompose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTarget Parasites\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003cth\u003eParasite\u003c\/th\u003e\n      \u003cth\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/th\u003e\n      \u003cth\u003ePresentation\u003c\/th\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eCamallanus cotti\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eCamallanus worm\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eOrange or red hair-like threads protruding from the vent — most visible at night or under stress; most common nematode in hobby livebearers (guppies, mollies, platies)\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eCamallanus lacustris\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eCamallanus worm\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eSame presentation; frequently affects angelfish, discus, and cichlids\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eCapillaria\u003c\/em\u003e spp.\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eThreadworm \/ hairworm\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eWhite stringy feces, hollow belly, wasting; common in discus and fish kept in planted tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eGeneral intestinal nematodes\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eRoundworms\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd\u003eDeclining body condition despite feeding, stringy feces, progressive emaciation\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Expel-P Does NOT Treat\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNematode eggs\u003c\/strong\u003e — levamisole does not kill eggs; a mandatory second treatment in 3–4 weeks is required to eliminate newly hatched larvae before they mature\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlukes\u003c\/strong\u003e (monogenean trematodes) — no activity against \u003cem\u003eDactylogyrus\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eGyrodactylus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProtozoan parasites\u003c\/strong\u003e — no effect on ich, velvet, \u003cem\u003eHexamita\u003c\/em\u003e, or \u003cem\u003eSpironucleus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBacterial or fungal infections\u003c\/strong\u003e — no activity against these\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCritical Post-Treatment Step\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerform a \u003cstrong\u003elarge water change (50%+) 24–48 hours after dosing\u003c\/strong\u003e and siphon the substrate thoroughly. This physically removes expelled and paralyzed worms from the tank before they decompose. Decomposing worm biomass will spike ammonia — this is especially dangerous in heavily stocked or small tanks and can cause secondary losses if not addressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTreatment Protocol\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eRemove activated carbon before dosing\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDose per label directions; can be mixed into food for fish that are reluctant to feed normally\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePerform a large water change with substrate vacuuming 24–48 hours after treatment\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRetreat in 3–4 weeks\u003c\/strong\u003e to eliminate larvae that hatched from eggs that survived the initial dose — skipping this step virtually guarantees reinfestation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePlant Safety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome aquatic plant species are sensitive to levamisole. If treating a heavily planted display tank, test in a separate container with a plant cutting before committing to a full tank dose. If invertebrate-safe deworming in a planted tank is the goal, consider Fritz Expel-F (flubendazole) instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eInvertebrate Safety\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally considered safe for shrimp and snails at recommended doses due to differences in vertebrate and invertebrate nAChR subunit composition. As a precaution, remove shrimp to a separate container during treatment if the tank population is high value.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YoCamron's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"20 Count","offer_id":50095451275501,"sku":"FRITZ-EXELP-20CT","price":21.22,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/1032\/8813\/files\/Fritz_Expel-P_20pk.png?v=1781975373","url":"https:\/\/yocamronsaquatics.com\/products\/fritz-expel-p-antiparasitic-fish-treatment","provider":"YoCamron's Exotics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}