API General Cure and Seachem Metroplex are two similar treatments you can use in your fish tank. So, what are the main differences between these products?
You can find out in this versus guide at Aquarium Blueprints.
Quick Summary
Although API General Cure and Seachem Metroplex can both be used to treat Hole-in-the-Head Disease and Velvet, you will get much faster results with General Cure.
The API product is also the only one in this comparison that can be used to treat Fish Lice, Gill Flukes and Skin Flukes. On the other hand, Metroplex is the only one out of these two products that will also treat Ich.
API General Cure vs. Seachem Metroplex Comparison Chart
You can check out our comparison table between the API General Cure and Seachem Metroplex below.
| API General Cure | Seachem Metroplex | |
|---|---|---|
| Infection Treatments | Fish Lice Gill Flukes (Dactylogyrus) Hole-in-the-head Disease (Hexamita spp. and Spironucleus) Skin Flukes (Gyrodactylus) Velvet | Hole-in-the-head Disease (Hexamita spp. and Spironucleus) Ich Velvet |
| Treatment Length | Fish Lice: 5 days Gill flukes (Dactylogyrus): 5 days Hole-in-the-head Disease (Hexamita spp. and Spironucleus): 5 days Skin Flukes (Gyrodactylus): 5 days Velvet: 5 days | Hole-in-the-head Disease (Hexamita spp. and Spironucleus): 14 days Ich: 14 days to 28 days Velvet: 14 days to 28 days |
| Dosage Instructions | Packets Version: 1 full packet for every 10 gallons (or 38 liters) Bulk Powder Version: 5 mL of General Cure for every 20 gallons (or 75 liters) | 1 to 2 scoops for every 10 gallons (or 40 liters) |
| Dosage Frequency | Twice during treatment | Every 48 hours during the entire treatment length |
| After Treatment Removal | Activated carbon and water changes | Activated carbon and water changes |
| Pricing | Check price on Amazon. (#CommissionsEarned) | Check price on Amazon. (#CommissionsEarned) |
Treatable Infections
Both of these products can be used to treat Hole-in-the-head Disease and Velvet.
General Cure is the only product in this comparison that will also treat Fish Lice, Gill Flukes and Skin Flukes. On the other hand, Metroplex is the only one of the two to treat Ich.
You can find a breakdown of the treatable infections for both below:
API General Cure:
- Fish Lice
- Gill Flukes (Dactylogyrus)
- Hole-in-the-head Disease (Hexamita spp. and Spironucleus)
- Skin Flukes (Gyrodactylus)
- Velvet
Seachem Metroplex:
- Hole-in-the-head Disease (Hexamita spp. and Spironucleus)
- Ich
- Velvet
Treatment Length
API General Cure is designed to work quickly as you can be done with your treatment in just 5 days. In comparison, Metroplex will take at least 14 days.
You can find the recommended treatment lengths for each infection below:
API General Cure:
- Fish Lice: 5 days
- Gill flukes (Dactylogyrus): 5 days
- Hole-in-the-head Disease (Hexamita spp. and Spironucleus): 5 days
- Skin Flukes (Gyrodactylus): 5 days
- Velvet: 5 days
Seachem Metroplex:
- Hole-in-the-head Disease (Hexamita spp. and Spironucleus): 14 days
- Ich: 14 days to 28 days
- Velvet: 14 days to 28 days
Dosage Instructions
When it comes to how much you should be dosing, you need to add 1 full packet for every 10 gallons (or 38 liters) of tank water if you are using General Cure. If you have the bulk powder version of General Cure, then you need to add 5 mL for every 20 gallons (or 75 liters) of tank water.
For the Metroplex, you need to dose 1 to 2 scoops per every 10 gallons (or 40 liters) of tank water.
Dosage Frequency
For the dosing frequency, you only need to dose API General Cure twice at 48 hours apart.
For Seachem Metroplex, you need to dose every 48 hours for the entire duration of the treatment.
After Treatment Removal
Once you are done treating your aquarium with both of the medications, you can remove them from the water column by adding activated carbon to your fish tank filter.
Doing water changes will also help dilute General Cure and Metroplex from your tank water.