Molly Not Digesting Food

[arla82]

Hi, I have a Molly who eats daphnia, bloodworms and brine shrimp! I have noticed that s/he is looking a little bloated but seems happy enough and is feeding well. However I have just noticed that it is pooing out blood worms, not red poo but actual blood worms. I know they are definitely bloodworms as there was 2 hanging out of it bum at the same time! Has anyone seen this before or have any ideas what to do? Thanks, Andy.

 

[kporteo]

I fed my mollies and swordtails bloodworms the other day and they all did the same thing - very odd to watch!! One molly was so bloated we had presumed she was a balloon molly - but 24hrs later the blood worms mustve done some good, she looks like her black molly tank mate!!
I think they must only digest what they need and send the rest out for the others to eat!!
K

 

[ChrissyBoy]

If they're still there, hanging out. Could be camellanus worms! I thought that when my fish had them. Turned out to be camellanus worms.

Worth keeping an eye on that.

 

[Curiosity101]

I agree with ChrissyBoy.

Personally I've found that if I feed nothing but bloodworms in 24hours then they tend to come straight through the fish practically undigested. As such I tend to give them a small high fibre meal like peas or algae based pellets and such. And follow that with a small feeding of bloodworm.

However if there are actually bright red worms hanging out of the anus then it is more likely they're infected with camallanus

 

[arla82]

Thanks for the replies! I haven't fed them today and it is not as bloated and nothing is hanging out! I will take blood worms out of their diet for a few days to see if it still happens and treat for that worm you said if it does.

Is there a treatment for it btw?

 

[arla82]

Ok, so I think my Molly is a she and is less bloated as there is now fry ( well 1 that I can see ) in the tank. Hopefully this would suggest that she is healthy as she is breeding! P.S. It must be her as they are the only pair of live bearers in the tank!

 

[ChrissyBoy]

Cushdy, sounds like it aint the dreaded camellanus worms after all. Trust me I've had a total mare with them. By the way for future reference, if you do get camellanus worms; order some Sera Nematol, worked in two days where countless wormers and parasite meds didn't work at all!

 

[Curiosity101]

Sera Nematol

^^ That's definitely the one I've heard most recommended in the UK.

 

[arla82]

Cool, thanks. I will make a note of that! Cheers for your help all!