Help, Fish Are In Trouble!

[DaveyG]

Hi all

Please bare with me, there's a few things I need to explain regarding this problem and I really am in need of some help.

First things first - Tank Stats:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: 20

200 litres

Current stock:

3 x female guppies
2 x male guppies
4 x female mollies
8 x platies (both m+f)
5 x Blue tetras
2 x leopard danio

Tank has been setup for about 8 months now, no new fish in at least 3 months.

About 3 months ago I added 5 x female guppies to the tank. 2 died immediately (I put it down to new tank syndrome) and then another 2 looked pretty bad and started to 'bend' before dieing. They were almost at an L shape when they died (ok maybe not quite that bad, but so you have an idea of how they were looking).

Then one of my mollies seemed to have something like swim bladder as she started swimming sideways and all sorts, couldn't really swim in a straight line and she died after a few days.

Now one of my other female guppies (the last of the 5 I added at once) has developed the same 'bend' and looks as if she will be going the same way.

All the other fish seem happy enough, I even have a couple of baby platies in there who look happy enough and are growing fine. I just don't know if I have anything to worry about and if I need to treat for anything. There might be a couple of things wrong and its a coincidence? Or I've heard that some of these things can happen when fish get old?

I also have just seen one of the male guppies flick himself off the gravel at the bottom.

If anyone has any advice please post it here, I am starting to get really worried about all the fish, even though they are all fine now I've just lost quite a few and I can't figure out why. There must have been something wrong with that batch of 5 female guppies as 4 are now dead and 1 has developed that weird bend.

If I haven't made something clear please just ask, I really need some advice now!

Thanks in advance

Dave

 

[WILDER]

Bent spine can be old age, injury, birth defect, internal parasites, fish tb.

Do any fish look thin or bloated.
Enlarged anus or red inflamed anus.
Worms prutruding from the anus.
Any fish have sunken in bellys.
What does it look like when the fish go to the toilet. Is it long white and stringy or clear mucas poo.

Your fish are showing 3 signs of internal parasites.
Flicking, bent spine, swimming on there sides which can be an internal parasite sign.

Just want to rule out external parasites with the flicking and rubbing.
Any excess mucas, darting, erratic swimming, laboured breathing, swimming in a jerky movement.


Camallanus



Symptoms:

When the fish is stationary, deep red worms can be seen protruding from the anal pore. They are only visible when the fish is still because the worms retreat into the intestine at the fish’s slightest movement. Other signs may include an inflamed and enlarged anus. In severe infestations, the fish may become emaciated and spinal curvature may also occur.



Cause:

The parasitic worms Camallanus Cotti and Camallanus lacustris. These small, livebearing parasitic worms attach to the intestinal walls and rectum with pinchers. The worm’s grip is so tight that any attempts to remove it forcibly will rip away tissue from the intestinal wall. The worm’s pinching causes ischemia (reduced blood flow) to that part of the intestine. In time, the tissue to that part of the intestine will die, at which time the worm will migrate to another part of the intestine. This causes perforations throughout the intestine, which allows other pathogens to gain entry. If the fish is not treated, either the parasite or bacterial will kill the fish. Camallanus infestations occur most often in livebearing fish such as Guppies and Mollies, though infection is possible in all fish. Camallanus infestations are contagious. All fish, including those not yet showing visible symptoms, as well as the aquarium, should be treated.



Treatment:

Treat with Internal Parasite Guard, Pipzine, Disco-Worm, Trichlorfon or Fluke-Tabs as well as a medicated food to prevent a bacterial infection.

 

[DaveyG]

Thanks for the reply wilder.

Do any fish look thin or bloated.
no more than usual. One other female guppy had a very strange belly and the disappeared completely. It was almost like a triangle shape (not pregnant, there was a big difference as she's been pregnant before) and one of the mollies now has a relatively square belly recently. Any of that cause for concern?

Enlarged anus or red inflamed anus.
No. None of the fish stay still long enough to see if these worms come out of their anus - they are all very active.

Worms prutruding from the anus.
No

Any fish have sunken in bellys.
Does the answer to number 1 relate to this?

What does it look like when the fish go to the toilet. Is it long white and stringy or clear mucas poo.
a mixture really, definitely some long white and stringy though!

Do I need to get some medicine for internal parasites?

Thanks again.

 

[WILDER]

I would treat for camallanous worms.
Get you a link for a med if you are in the uk.

When female livebearers square off it means there pregnant I think?
Ask in the livebearer section of the forum.

http/www.thegreenmachineaquatics.com/mal...ol%20001/198936

 

[DaveyG]

Thanks, I will buy that and treat immediately!

Does the flicking still point to camallanous worms?

Yeah usually when they square off it is but there's no male mollies and never has been so I hope shes not pregnant! lol.

 

[WILDER]

Yes fish can flick with internal parasites.

How long have you had her as they can store sperm for several months.

 

[DaveyG]

Not to worry - I've had her for about 4 months which I think is about the limit for them storing sperm. That's the least of my worries right now anyway

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
I would still check the livebearer part of the forum.
Let me know how you get on.
Good Luck.

 

[DaveyG]

Oh just one more question wilder!

I don't want to seem like I'm second guessing you because I really appreciate the help so far - would internal parasites (and camallanous worms in particular) only really effect one at a time? It's just they seem to be getting infected one at a time and the time is spaced out rather than an outbreak. As I said I don't want to appear to be second guessing you as I am way out of my depth so I hope it doesn't come across like that. Just want to do the best thing for the fish

 

[WILDER]

It's ok. I'm not a vet lol.

The ones that had then can pass them onto others. Even sucking another fish poo up can infect them.
You don't always notice the symtoms of internal parasites.