Look, I’ve been keeping shrimp for years, and one question that keeps popping up in our aquarium community is whether API General Cure is safe for our tiny crustacean friends. Let me break this down for you in simple terms based on my experience and research.
Quick Answer: No, API General Cure isn’t specifically safe for shrimp. While it’s great for treating fish diseases, it can be harmful to shrimp due to its active ingredients. But don’t worry – I’ll show you how to handle this situation safely!
What’s Inside API General Cure?
API General Cure contains two main active ingredients:
- Metronidazole – fights protozoan parasites
- Praziquantel – battles worms and flukes
Both these ingredients can be toxic to invertebrates like our beloved shrimp, It’s kinda like giving human medicine to your pet – not always the best idea!
The Risks to Your Shrimp
When using API General Cure in a tank with shrimp, you might see these problems:
- Shrimp deaths (yeah, it’s that serious!)
- Weird swimming behavior
- Less eating and breeding
- Molting issues (this is super important for shrimp)
- Shorter lifespan
- General stress symptoms
What Can You Do? Here’s My Advice!
If you absolutely MUST use API General Cure in a tank that has shrimp here’s what I recommend
-
Best Option: Move Your Shrimp
- Set up a temporary tank
- Use old tank water
- Add some plants from main tank
- Keep them there until treatment is done
-
If You Can’t Move Them
- Use half the recommended dose
- Watch your shrimp like a hawk
- Do more water changes
- Add extra air stones
- Test water parameters daily
Better Alternatives for Shrimp Tanks
Why risk it? Here are some shrimp-safe alternatives I’ve used successfully:
- Seachem Paraguard (my personal favorite)
- GarlicGuard (all-natural option)
- Conservative amounts of aquarium salt
- Temperature adjustments (be careful though!)
Real Talk: What Other Aquarists Say
I’ve collected some feedback from our community:
“Lost half my blue velvets using General Cure. Never again!” – AquariumFan23
“Used half dose with cherry shrimp, they survived but looked stressed” – ShrimpKeeper99
Pro Tips from My Experience
Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:
- Never use full doses in shrimp tanks
- Avoid treating breeding tanks
- Test all parameters before, during, and after
- Have a backup plan ready
- Consider preventive measures instead of treatment
Treatment Timeline If You Must Use It
Day 1:
- Remove carbon filter
- Do 25% water change
- Add half dose of medication
Day 3:
- Add second half dose
- Monitor closely
Day 5:
- Large water change (50%)
- Add fresh carbon
- Wait 24 hours before returning shrimp
Preventive Measures Are Better!
Instead of risking medication, focus on prevention:
- Regular water changes
- Good filtration
- Proper feeding
- Quarantine new additions
- Regular tank maintenance
Final Thoughts
Listen, I get it – when our fish are sick, we want to help them ASAP. But with shrimp in the tank, we gotta be extra careful. API General Cure is awesome for fish-only tanks, but it’s just not worth the risk for our shrimpy friends.
Remember: When in doubt, separate and treat. Your shrimp will thank you later!
Have you had any experiences with medications in shrimp tanks? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This article is based on personal experience and research. Always consult with experienced aquarists or professionals when dealing with medication in your aquarium.
#aquarium #shrimp #fishkeeping #aquariumcare #shrimpkeeping
Active Ingredients in General Cure: 500 mg Metronidazole and 150 mg Praziquantel per teaspoon.
DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION API General Cure
- API’s General Cure contains nothing that will control Fish Lice, or Anchor Worm.
- General Cure will not treat Ich, Ick, White Spot, Costia, Chilodonella, Trichodina, or other ciliate protozoans.
To kill the ciliate protozoans, you need Hikari Ich-X and here’s how that works.
General Cure Will Treat:
Hexamita, Spironucleus, many internal parasites such as cestodes and trematodes, Gyrodactylus, Dactylogyrus.
For best results, remove activated carbon or filter cartridge from filter and continue aeration.
For each 20 gallons (75 L) of water add 1 scoop (1 tsp.) of 500 mg Metronidazole and 150 mg Praziquantel per teaspoon.
For larger systems, for each 240 gallons (908 L) of water add 12 scoops (4 Tbsp.). or for each 960 gallons (3,634 L) of water add one cup.
Repeat dose after 48 hours.
Wait another 48 hours then change 25% of the aquarium water and add API BIO CHEM ZORB, fresh activated carbon or replace filter cartridge.
Will not discolor water.
Safe for use with live plants at 500 mg Metronidazole and 150 mg Praziquantel per teaspoon.
MEDICATING AQUARIUM FISH WITH API GENERAL CURE
FAQ
Is API General Cure safe for snails and shrimp?
API GENERAL CURE fish remedy is safe to use around aquatic turtles and snails, but is only intended to treat disease in fish. Will API GENERAL CURE™ fish remedy disrupt the biological filter in my aquarium?
Is API safe for shrimp?
The one made by API, for example, says right on the bottle that it’s toxic to freshwater crustaceans, which would of course include shrimps as well as crabs and crayfish.
What algae remover is safe for shrimp?
Algae Control’s specialized formula is designed to attack filamentous, suspended, and attached algae species by targeting enzymes necessary for its photosynthesis. Algae Control is 100% safe for ecosystems and will not harm fish, shrimp, snails, turtles, or aquatic plants when dosage guidelines are followed.
Is API water conditioner safe for shrimp?
I use it as a water conditioner in my tank. Works just fine, shrimp are happy.