Dieing Ba Tetra

[Mr. Convict]

My sister just pointed out that one of our Buenos Aires tetras is dieing. Its just lieing on its side in the bottom of the tank (i moved him to QT) breathing heavily. It tries to swim but just ended up getting tossed around in the water. Gills aren't enflamed, he was fine yesterday when i fed them, as far as i could tell (poo was a bit red i think, not sure)

Ammonia/Nitrite - 0

Nitrate - ~15

Anything i should look for to help diagnose?

Hope he doesn't die..

 

[WILDER]

He sounds in really bad shape and dosn't sound like he's going to make it.
The red poo have you been feeding bloodworms.
Does he look thin or bloated.
Does his anus look enlarged or red and inflamed.

 

[Mr. Convict]

Last time i fed bloodworms was maybe a month ago, i don't really feed it that much, i did feed spirulina recently.

He doesn't looks thin or bloated, nor is he pineconing, he's just lethargic I don't know how old they get, but this one is aver 3 and a half years.. could it be old age? anything else i should be looking for?

The weird thing is, even though he was lieing on his side in QT i put in like 3 flakes (which i made sink to the bottom) and this morning I saw he ate them. should i euthanize him?

 

[WILDER]

Red poo if not dyes out of food can be internal parasites.

I would issolate him, keep an eye on his waste.
Check to see if you can see any worms prutruding from the anus.
has he very done stringy white poos, or clear mucas poo.
Also I would check your other fish when they go to the toilet.
What your location as you might need to treat the tank for internal parasites.

 

[Mr. Convict]

Okay I'll keep observing him and the other fish.

I live in Trinidad (in the caribbean) what are good treatments for parasites?

I should be able to get the brands you get in the US.. maybe.

If not, what ingredient should i look for in the med?

 

[WILDER]

Depends which parasite it is.
Better off getting a med that treat a wide variety of internal worms,
Red coloured worms prutruding from the anus is camallous worms and you need levaimsole to treat them.
Get you some info on camallous worms.
http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/docs/health/nematodes.shtml

If you have excess to a vet, sometimes you take a sample of the waste so it can be analysed under a microscope.

 

[Mr. Convict]

Okay thanks. He doesn't have any worms protuding from the anus. Any reputable brands you would recommend for parasites?

EDIT: From reading the article i believe its capillaria. Of course i could be wrong. darn

 

[WILDER]

http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/add_...fm?pCatId=12794

Clout
Manufacturer: Aquarium Products
A very strong and effective medication for parasitic and protozoan infestations. Treats: Ich, Hydra, leeches, Planaria, Epistylis, Trichodina, Hexamita,Tetrahy-mena, body fungus, digenetic flukes, parasitic copepods, monogenetic flukes and anchor worms.

 

[Mr. Convict]

Thanks so much. I'll fast them today and start treatment tomorrow

 

[WILDER]

Good luck.