Internal parasites or bacterial infection??

[Elisabeth83]

I believe I am dealing with either internal parasites or an internal bacterial infection. My beloved platies and swordtails have been getting increasingly thin and their poo isn't how it normally is. It's clear and stringy..in fact when I do water changes and gravel vac I don't really ever find solid poo They are eating as normal though....

This has been going on for 1-2 months now and only now have I put 2+2 together Besides their thinness and stringy poo they act as they normally do. They arn't listless. I see no red worms hanging out of their anus though.

What do you think is going on here? I read on a few other threads that Sterazin is useless against internal worms?? For the first time today I fed them pellets soak in garlic liquid as I read thats supposed to help rid worms.

Please help me!!

edit: I just found this...is it true? "Other intestinal worms usually do not pose a threat in aquariums since they have a rather complicated life cycle, but Camallanus nematodes are capable of passing from one fish to another."

So if I am not dealing with camallanus worms then what should I do? Will the worms die by themselves..should I just do more frequent water changes?

If they are camallanus worms when do they usually come out of the anus? Night time or whenever?

 

[black angel]

If it was camallanus worms they would be hanging out the fish, but that doesnt rule out a diferent type of worm. Livebearers are notorious for getting internal worms and a vet is really the only option for treatment.
Bacterial sounds more likely to me as the poo is thin and stringy. All you can really do is keep the tank really clean and watch out for other symptoms such as popeye. If that happens then its best to cull the fish.
Ive had Kribs that got internal bacteria and they got really skinny like yours but some pulled through it when i fed garlic flakes but a couple died anyway because they wouldnt eat it.
Good luck with yours.

 

[Elisabeth83]

Hi black angel!

I called a shop here and they said they had a product by seachem called Metronidazole that should help them. They weren't sure if it was a parasite or bacteria but because mine arn't listless or off by themselves they thought it was more likely to be worms.

I looked through the forums for Metronidazole and Tolak a member on here says he/she uses it and has had great success so I am keeping my figers crossed!!

They also said feeding them garlic soaked food is good so I am going to keep doing that in fact I'm going to do it every once in awhile to all of my fish.

 

[black angel]

Pleased you can get the meds for it.
*notes down Metronizadole for future reference*
Dont think we can get that in the U.K but something to think about anyway.

Good luck with your fishes and for anyone in the uk wanting garlic flake or pellet food heres a link http/www.dorsetdiscus.com/

Good luck with your fish and keep us posted

 

[Bloo]

Some interesting info on Metronidazole - which is actually from a veterinary page on the use in animals.

 

[Elisabeth83]

Some interesting info on Metronidazole - which is actually from a veterinary page on the use in animals.

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Ok so it's for both parasitic and bacterial problems? or have I read it wrong

 

[Bloo]

As far I as know it's only bacterial

 

[Elisabeth83]

Ok that's weird cause when I searched here on the forum members say it's for internal parasites.

Here's something Tolak wrote:

You don't have to put the fish down, you need anti-parsite meds. Metronodazole works best, if you can get it.  Where you located?


  Tolak

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So now I am confused

edit: from reading more it says your supposed to use the Metronodazole first and then a dose of de-wormer. Here's the link I was reading from http/www.rockymountaindiscus.com/Food_and_medications.htm Scroll down to dicus medications.

 

[black angel]

Ive heard of it as flagyl and its used for parasites as well but i dont know about internal ones.
Will go and investigate further.

 

[black angel]

Metronidazole Synonyms: acromona, anagiardil, arilin, deflamon, efloran, elyzol, entizol, flagesol, flagil, flagyl, fossyol, gineflavir, klio, medazol, metro gel, metrogyl, metron, protostat, orvagil, trichazol, vagilen, vagimid, zadstat. Must contain only one of these listed above, or with other products in an aquariumfish medication.

Background: This medication can effectively eradicate hexamita, spironucleus and several other flagellates. Most of wich, live internally, but not exclusively. So, it must be used in a long term bath or orally for it to be effective.

Active ingredients: Metronidazole. Note, this is one of the main ingredients in Mtro-meds from http/www.goldfishconnection.com .

Dosage: 5ppm baths for 3 to 4 days. Change water with each treatment. Poorly soluble.

Pros: Can be used with most other treatments. Effective against certain bacterias as well. Bio-filter safe. Might be effective against KHV (juries out).

Cons: None to speak of.

 

[Elisabeth83]

Metronidazole Synonyms: acromona, anagiardil, arilin, deflamon, efloran, elyzol, entizol, flagesol, flagil, flagyl, fossyol, gineflavir, klio, medazol, metro gel, metrogyl, metron, protostat, orvagil, trichazol, vagilen, vagimid, zadstat. Must contain only one of these listed above, or with other products in an aquariumfish medication.

Background: This medication can effectively eradicate hexamita, spironucleus and several other flagellates. Most of wich, live internally, but not exclusively. So, it must be used in a long term bath or orally for it to be effective.

Active ingredients: Metronidazole. Note, this is one of the main ingredients in Mtro-meds from http/www.goldfishconnection.com .

Dosage: 5ppm baths for 3 to 4 days. Change water with each treatment. Poorly soluble.

Pros: Can be used with most other treatments. Effective against certain bacterias as well. Bio-filter safe. Might be effective against KHV (juries out).

Cons: None to speak of.

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Ok, the guy I talked with said he thought it sounded like internal flagellates and that's why he suggested the Metronidazole. So it does treat parasites and bacterial then? What about the de-wormer then??

 

[black angel]

It will work internally but you need to get it inside, so soak flake in it, let it dry if it will and hopefully they will swallow enough to help.

 

[Elisabeth83]

It will work internally but you need to get it inside, so soak flake in it, let it dry if it will and hopefully they will swallow enough to help.

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Ok I hope it works then. I will soak food in it too

edit: Do I use it in the main tank or just soak the food in it?

 

[black angel]

From what i remember it cant be added to a tank and only used for baths. Its very hard to get this stuff to mix as well and takes ages to shake up with water. I would just go with the food and i will find out about the use of it.

 

[black angel]

You could also try parasite clear if you can find it and it should also help your bettas.
Cant find anything else on the flagyl im afraid.