Hikari Metro Plus

Hikari Metro Plus

Hikari Metro Plus is a powdered metronidazole fish medication for treating hole-in-the-head and lateral line disease in pond, freshwater and marine fish. It suits hobbyists who want one treatment that can be used as a water bath or mixed into food, depending on whether the problem is external or internal.

Key Benefits

• Contains metronidazole, an established active ingredient for metronidazole-susceptible microbial diseases.
• Works systemically, so it can target infected areas from the inside as well as through the water.
• Flexible: use it as a bath treatment or as a medicated feed.
• For hole-in-the-head and lateral line erosion in freshwater, marine and pond fish.
• Includes a slime coat replacer, intended to support external recovery.
• The manufacturer describes it as extremely safe when used as directed.

How to Use

Choose the method that matches the problem. Treatments should be consecutive and uninterrupted, lasting up to 10 days.

Bath treatment is the recommended method for metronidazole-susceptible microbial diseases in marine and freshwater aquarium and pond fish. It is suggested for symptoms of hole-in-the-head and lateral line erosion.

• For best results, do a water change of at least 30% before the first treatment and before each daily retreatment. The manufacturer suggests Ultimate® or a combination of Liquid Buffered ClorAm-X® and Stress-X™ for this.
• Dose daily as set out under Dosage below.
• After 24 hours, complete at least a 30% water change before each new dose.
• Continue for 5 to 7 days or until mortalities stop.
• If there is no improvement within six (6) days, discontinue treatment and consider other options.

Oral treatment is the recommended method for systemic (internal) infections. The powder can be mixed with fish food or included in prepared food. It may taste bitter, which can reduce your fish's willingness to eat.

• Make medicated feed using either a gelatin-based or a dry food-based mix, following the manufacturer's guidance on preparing medicated feed.
• The gelatin-based method produces food that sinks quickly. With the dry food-based method, how fast the food sinks depends on the ingredients you use.
• Replace your fish's usual diet with the medicated feed.
• Feed at least twice daily, giving only what your fish will eat within a few minutes (no more than 5 minutes).
• Remove any uneaten food promptly to prevent environmental harm.
• Continue feeding for at least three days after all signs of disease have disappeared, then stop. Never use the medicated feed as regular food when you are not treating disease.
• Do not use prepared medicated food that is more than 10 days old.

Dosage

• Bath treatment: 1 capful (~10g) of Metro+™ per 20 gallons (76L) of water daily, which achieves a 5 mg/L concentration of metronidazole.
• DO NOT OVERDOSE. Work out your tank's actual water volume by multiplying length × width × height and dividing by 238 to get gallons.
• Subtract the space taken up by substrate (gravel, sand and so on), rocks, decorations and any other objects that displace water.

Suitable For

• Pond fish, including koi and other pond species.
• Freshwater aquarium fish.
• Marine aquarium fish.
• Fish showing hole-in-the-head or lateral line erosion symptoms, or other metronidazole-susceptible microbial diseases.

Compatibility

• WARNING: never use this product with permanganate-based treatments.
• Combining it with sulfur- or sulfite-based water conditioners is not recommended.
• If you are unsure what is in your usual water conditioner, check with its manufacturer to make sure it does not contain these substances.

Specifications

• Form: powder
• Active ingredient: metronidazole
• Bath concentration achieved: 5 mg/L of metronidazole at 1 capful (~10g) per 20 gallons (76L)
• Maximum continuous treatment: up to 10 days
• Net weight: 97 g (3.4 oz)

What's Included

• 97 g (3.4 oz) of powdered fish medication

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions is this treatment made for?
It is intended for hole-in-the-head and lateral line disease conditions in pond, freshwater and marine fish. It targets metronidazole-susceptible microbial diseases.

Should I use the bath or the food method?
The bath method is recommended for metronidazole-susceptible microbial diseases and for hole-in-the-head and lateral line erosion symptoms. The oral method is recommended for systemic (internal) infections.

How much do I dose for a bath?
Use 1 capful (~10g) per 20 gallons (76L) of water daily, which gives a 5 mg/L concentration of metronidazole. Measure your actual water volume carefully and subtract the space taken up by substrate, rocks and decorations to avoid overdosing.

How long should I treat for?
Treatment should be consecutive and uninterrupted, for up to 10 days. In a bath, continue for 5 to 7 days or until mortalities stop. If there is no improvement within six days, discontinue and consider other options.

My fish seem reluctant to eat the medicated food. Why?
The medication may taste bitter, which can reduce your fish's willingness to eat. Offer only what they will eat within a few minutes (no more than 5 minutes), and remove uneaten food promptly.

Can I use it with my water conditioner?
Check the ingredients first. Do not use it with permanganate-based treatments, and avoid combining it with sulfur- or sulfite-based conditioners. If the ingredients are unclear, ask the conditioner's manufacturer.

When can I expect delivery?

• Gauteng (Jhb/Pta) - 1-3 working days
• Nationwide (Cpt/Dbn+) - 2-5 working days
• Outlying Areas - 3-7 working days

All orders are sent via Economy Road, typically through Fastway or Internet Express Couriers*. Estimated timeframes are not guaranteed. Once the order is collected by the courier, we have no control over third-party logistics and cannot make any time promises.

If you prefer a faster 🚀 shipping option, we also offer The Courier Guy during checkout in the dropdown selection. Please note that this option is not free, and you must choose it to use it. Please pay careful attention to the cutoff times and delivery timeframe for these options during checkout.

Enjoy the convenience of collection points and lockers! 📦

No more waiting at home or at work for your delivery. Simply choose a collection locker or pickup point and collect your order when it suits you.

Delivery times to lockers and pickup locations typically range from 2–7 working days, depending on your location.*

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Collection timeframes:

• Bob Box: Collect within 2 days of receiving your collection notification.
• PUDO Lockers: Collect within 36 hours of receiving your collection PIN or SMS notification.

If a PUDO parcel is not collected within 36 hours, it will automatically be transferred to the nearest PUDO Kiosk or Depot at no additional cost. The parcel will then be held there for approximately 2 days before being returned.

Please ensure you collect your parcel within the applicable collection period. Uncollected parcels will be returned to the sender, and additional shipping charges may apply should the order need to be resent.