Is White Stringy Poop Internal Bacteria Or Internal Parasites?

[xoedusk]

I think all three of our platies (2 pregnant) have white stringy poop. The guy looks a little thin too (but it could just be the females are huge with babies in their bellies). I've searched online and on these forums. Members say it is either parasites or bacteria. Which is correct?

I think we have Mardel CopperSafe or something like that, and also a bottle of Tetracycline that was left unrefridgerated (is this still good) after it was opened. Would any of these work? I don't like the sound of raising temp up high for that Metronidazole stuff.

EDIT: 20 gallon. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10-30 nitrates. No new fish, just platies and rasboras. Eating normally. Currently giving them blanched, shelled, and mushed peas every other day.

 

[Tolak]

Probably parasites. If they are eating, you can add metro to the food, this is the most effective method. The higher temps prevent metro from precipitating out of the water, and increases metabolism of fish that won't eat. Metro was designed for humans, the closer to 98.6 the better with the temperature, I wouldn't go anywhere near that high with platys. I've kept platys with angels in 82F to 84F water without a problem. If you want to use metro with the platys, a temp in the low 80's should work.

 

[xoedusk]

Probably parasites. If they are eating, you can add metro to the food, this is the most effective method.

The pinned posts here say that metro is for bacteria, not parasites, which adds to the confusion. Can anyone help?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

parasites IMO... I heard somewhere it can be treated with cat wormers.... no idea if that's true or how you'd go about it though

 

[dwarfgourami]

I believe the confusion arises because white poo can be a sign of several things. Like vomiting in humans can be a sign of alll sorts of things: tummy bug, food poisoning, meningitis, or (we've learnt this week) urine infection. Like a doctor of humans you need to keep an eye on the patient and look out for any other symptoms.

 

[black angel]

White poo is the white blood cells coming off the gut wall. Its a sign of a bacterial infection so try and get them internal meds for bacteria first.
If they are eating well and skinny then this too can be bacterial but also parasite so you need to try one first then another.
I would go with bacterial first then parasites.

 

[xoedusk]

We bought a bottle of tetracycline and gave it to a little guy a few weeks ago (too late, though). But then we left the tetracycline bottle out. Reading the fine print, the bottle says to refridgerate after opening. Do you think the bottle is no good anymore?

 

[Tolak]

Probably parasites. If they are eating, you can add metro to the food, this is the most effective method.

The pinned posts here say that metro is for bacteria, not parasites, which adds to the confusion. Can anyone help?

The pinned post has it listed for parasites as well as bacteria. Here's a link to Seachem. It's mainly used for internal parasites, but does have some effect on bacteria; http/www.seachem.com/products/product_pa...ronidazole.html

Here's an article on Metro; http/www.wetwebmedia.com/metranidazole.htm

Fishfarmacy is one of the best, cheapest places to get meds. They also backup what they sell, and have a help line. I've burned up some serious long distance minutes just shooting the breeze with these folks. Here's a link to fecal disorders; http/www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/..._disorders.html


I've never heard of tetracycline going bad in powder form, in liquid form it may be a different matter.