Angelfish Poop

[WuHT]

Now i'd love to have taken a picture, but i'd just like to describe my current asfur angelfish poop that comes out and i'd like to see if it sounds like normal or it's some internal parasite.


It basically is like a long-light red tube with the consistancy and texture as an "umbillical cord"... and when bitten by my other fish fragmented really easily.

Now i was looking at the end to see if there were teeth on this "poop" or segments at the least and it was not discenrable. Why i'm asking is that my old emperor laid basically a black crumbly turd... which my current one has one long stringy poop that's hard to say if he is carrying some parasite.

It's of concern to me cuz he hasn't really grown in a year... and is erratic when it comes to appetite. Sometimes he's really hungry.. but othertimes he just chases other fish ignoring the food.

 

[tcmfish]

I wouldn't worry too much. It is probably dependent on what the fish is eating also I don't think asfurs are terribly fast growers like the similars macs.

 

[Gwynhidwy]

That doesn't sound like the internal parasites I've seen, but if you're concerned you could try feeding medicated foods.

What do you feed the fish normally? How often?

 

[WuHT]

Recently (as in the last week) i've been feeding him for a majority.. a combination of NFS and formula 1/2 pellets.. and prime reef flake (i suppose thats the red colour source).

He doesnt' really like nori (or doens't go crazy for it).. and some PE mysis and blood worms (another source of red)

Feed basically 2 small portoins per meal.. 2 meals a day. Dont know how much my father feeds him when im' not home

 

[Gwynhidwy]

It sounds like there are reasonable explanations for the red color and I think you are feeding often enough. You might try adding more frozen foods to his diet, see if that increases appetite so that he will eat more enthusiastically. The frozen angelfish diets have been well received by my angels. You could also try different brands and/or colors of nori. Soaking food, including nori, in Selcon can really help increase interest in food too. Some people have good luck with garlic, I have had just as many fish like it as not.

If none of that works or the fish starts losing condition, then I would consider deworming your fish. You can try Prazipro (praziquantel) in the water, but sometimes internal parasites can be stubborn and you may have to lace the food with the medication. I know that other wormers are sometimes used as well, but I don't have any experience with them and fish.

 

[tcmfish]

What he said, but just to add...

It seems the red coloration is basically a result of what you are feeding. Regarding the emperor poop it was probably darker and crumbly if it was eating the nori. And you saying this fish isn't crazy for the nori goes along with that. I wouldn't worry to much.