Could My Platy Have Internal Parasites?

[Mr Melt]

For the past few days my wagtail platy has been exhibiting a strange habit; basically hes been pooping (quite literally) every 5-10 minutes.

When I originally brought this up I was told that this was normal platy behaviour.

Well its been 3 days now and this habit shows no sign of abating. Whats more; the poop originally was very pure white, very long and reminded me of thread (although it wasnt thin, quite normal size in my opinion. But now (within the past hour or so) its changed to a more translucent color, with a greenish hue about it.
I should note that in order to confirm my platys condition I have held back from feeding my fish for the past 2 days. So how is he managing to do this every 10 minutes? I swear to all thats holy, hes at it like bloody clockwork!! >_>

Below is an attached picture of Fred (the platy) last night (around 7pm).



Hes a new fish; only had him for like a week. He's in there with 2 Harlequins, a White Widow and a Crowntail Betta (all relatively new). Tanks a 50 litre Fishbox. Water's fine (although PH is 7.4 if that helps). Temperatures at a steady 26 centigrade. Just to be safe I did a 20% water change just now =)

Anyone got any ideas? I'm a bit worried about my fish here =/

 

[marieukxx]

Mine had white poop for a while at first now it's more brown. Long white strings and I actually posted here too asking a similar question. Mine poo a hell of a lot but cutting down on feeding helped

 

[Mr Melt]

Mine had white poop for a while at first now it's more brown. Long white strings and I actually posted here too asking a similar question. Mine poo a hell of a lot but cutting down on feeding helped

I dont get it though; how can he be doing it so regularly? He hasnt even eaten in several days, yet he still manages every 10 minutes =/

 

[marieukxx]

Yeah it is weird if he's still doing it even though you haven't fed him

 

[Mr Melt]

Yeah it is weird if he's still doing it even though you haven't fed him

Should I try worming powder? Apparently its harmless to the fish + tank bacteria; plus it might be smart to take a "just in case" attitude =/

 

[marieukxx]

I couldn't say tbh as I'm a newbie I've only had my tank about a month. Sorry. I just know mine poop a hell of a lot and all mine had long white stringy poo for a few weeks at first.

 

[Mr Melt]

I couldn't say tbh as I'm a newbie I've only had my tank about a month. Sorry. I just know mine poop a hell of a lot and all mine had long white stringy poo for a few weeks at first.

Its fine; thanks for the help anyway! =)

 

[Mr Melt]

Seriously? No one has any other explanation for this? As of 10th May at 00:44 GMT he is STILL doing this every 10 minutes. I had to start feeding the fish again (cause I was starving the poor buggers). I seriously need advice here like =(

 

[Mr Melt]

UPDATE - in case anyone else has a similar problem I think its abated now.

I used some anti-parasite powder (used for Discus but works on all fish). Left for 4 days in the tank (had to remove carbon from filter but meh), and the problem seems to have abated. Hes still pooping but its smaller and more manageable =P

In addition I heard that it may be due to diet. I was talking to one of the LFS (Pets at Home in Belfast) the other day about my platy. The advisor asked where I got it (I got it at Grosvenor Tropicals in Lisburn). He then started a tirade against them, claiming that they use certain "enhanced foodstuffs" to beef up their fish in the tank; naturally, when exposed to normal flakes and frozen bloodworms (which I feed my fish with) they will have to get used to the new diet, hence the excessive pooping.

Just to confirm I bought a 2nd platy at the store (partially for its cuteness and partially to compare the 2) and both poop just as much as each other. I can now assume the problems over =P

So aye, it may have been worms or bad diet, but either way its resolved now =D

Thanks all for your help!

 

[marieukxx]

I'm glad it's sorted

 

[Mom of MnE]

hmm that is to bad no one else responded because my red wag platy is doing that to it was only one long white poo yesterday, but it did have me worried. can you get that anti-parasite powder at any lfs?!?! thanks for atleast having this post.