Clownfish worms?

[shaggss]

Hi All

My two clownfish have not eaten for a week now and I have noticed them pooing these things out:

I have ordered some PraziPro but fear it will not arrive in time. All parameters are normal.

Temp 26.5
SG 35ppt
Alk 8.3
Ca 400
Mag 1300

Everything else 0.00

Is there anything else I could try while waiting for the PraziPro?

Any help much appreciated.

 

[VacavilleFC3S]

nope prazi is the chemical you need.

 

[JHemdal]

That could be mucus from bacterial enteritis, in which case, praziquantel won't help. Can't say that I have a good answer for you, but I see what looks like some skin discoloration as well - in which case, I would treat the fish in a quarantine tank with a broad spectrum gram negative antibiotic while you are waiting on the prazi.

Looking at the fecal material under a microscope can also help indentify what is going on....

Jay

 

[shaggss]

Thanks Jay and VacavilleFC3S, and sorry for the late reply. The fish went for almost two weeks without eating but have now started again. The smaller one seems to have fully recovered, I have not seen him pass a worm for a few days now. The larger one still is not as energetic but eating at least. He is still passing worms.

I am feeding Formula Two pellets soaked in Zoe a few small feeds a day to try and get them back to normal weight.

Questions.

Q1. When they pass all the worms will that be it or do the worms lay eggs inside the fish?

Q2. Are the worms dead when they are passed? Do I need to treat the tank so when I introduce new fish they wont be infected.

Q3. Is PraziPro reef safe? I only have a frogspawn, hammer, zoas and two small SPS frags.

I am waiting on PraziPro to arrive.

Thanks again

cheers :beer:

 

[shaggss]

I see what looks like some skin discoloration as well - in which case, I would treat the fish in a quarantine tank with a broad spectrum gram negative antibiotic while you are waiting on the prazi.

Hi Jay

Could you please tell me where I could get something like this. I live in Hong Kong and while the coral/fish selection is great, asking for this medication would probably get a lot of confused looks!

Thanks again!

 

[JHemdal]

I just don't see any definition in the image that would make this a worm. Tapeworms would have segments, and even nematodes should show some body structure. Also, until you treat a fish for internal worms it is VERY rare to see them extending from the anus like that - they stay inside where conditions are good for them. So - what you are seeing is excess mucus produced by the fish as a reaction to an infection. The two common causes of this are protozoans and bacteria. Anti-internal protozoan drugs are difficult to administer, so that's why I suggested a broad spectrum gram negative antibiotic such as Maracyn II or neomycin.

Jay

 

[TripleT]

Are these fish you recently acquired?

How long does the trailing string stay attached?

I'm no expert, but I tend to agree with Jay. I believe this is referred to as the "thread of death" in this title, and is intestinal lining:

http://www.directtextbook.com/prices/9781890087951

I'd feed more than Formula II pellets. Maybe some PE mysis and cyclops as well.

Are they in QT? You might cover all sides of the tank (partially, or fully) to reduce stress from traffic outside of the tank.