My clownfish

[Absinthe]

I posted this is another forum as I didnt realize that this forum existed.

I recently acquired a pair of percula clownfish from an online vendor. They arrived here Saturday.

yesterday I noticed a white stringy substance coming from the rectum of one of the fish.

Can anyone offer insight as to what this might be and what I can do to treat it?

Thanks

 

[Hattie B]

Your little fish haas worms (don't worry, this can be very common)

Your need to deworn him.

Treatments can be Metronidazole (this is effective for internal parasites) or Prazipro, Droncit.

Best

 

[jmpatri1]

I believe that my clown has this exact problem. He had a 2 inch strand out his rear a few days ago. He has been respirating very quickly for several days now and does not eat.

Did you try any medications?

If so, did it work, what did you try, and where did you get it?

 

[Absinthe]

Fish died the next day.

 

[jmpatri1]

I just picked up a bottle of PraziPro at my lfs. The directions call for turning off the protein skimmer and removing any carbon from the system. However it doesn't say when it is safe to turn the protein skimmer back on.

Any thoughts on this?

I don't want this stuff to kill any life on my live rock. Should I look at using a quarantine tank, or is it safe for the main tank like it claims?

 

[Hattie B]

I would use a QT tank.

Always better not to take the risk.

 

[b.branscombe]

I just saw this thread. One of the Perculas I picked up had the exact same symptoms that yours had, and within three days of me noticing, it was dead. Seems that quick action is very important.

 

[luv2reef]

so did the medications work....how does the fish contract intestinal worms like this?

 

[luv2reef]

so did the medications work....how does the fish contract intestinal worms like this?....are they contagious to other fish?

 

[jmpatri1]

Since it was late last night and I didn't have the means to setup a hospital tank, I ended up dosing my entire tank. I didn't want him to die in the meantime, so I figured that I would just do it.

I don't know how he contracted these worms. My tank is about two months old and the fish have only been in for about a month. I suspect that they could have brought them in from the LFS or whoever raised them.

From other sources that I have read, someone said that if one fish has it then all fish have it. That was another reason for me to treat the entire tank.

I don't know yet if it has worked or not. I just checked the tank and he is still in there.

I think if he starts eating today I will turn on the protein skimmer. I am also supposed to treat the tank again in three days to kill any eggs that were present.

I will keep you posted.

 

[jmpatri1]

Well I treated my tank with Prazipro on Thursday night. Tonight my clown is looking much better. He doesn't seem to be respirating quickly anymore. He still isn't eating though.

I treated with a second dose of Prazipro as instructed. Hopefully he will start eating soon.

 

[Hattie B]

Hi jmpatri1,

Glad to hear he is getting better.