Percula has white string hanging?

[T-unit]

One of my Precula is gasping for air and hasn't eaten for 2 days. Yesterday I noticed a small white string handing from its body and today it has gotten longer. It is not swimming very much and stays near the surface. Can anyone give me any advise?

 

[ShannonT]

How long has he been in the tank? How long has the tank been set up? Tank parameters?

 

[T-unit]

He has been in the tank for 8 days. The tank has been set up for about 10 weeks. PH 8.4, NH 0, NO2 0, NO3 10, KH 540

 

[RokleM]

Just had a similar issue: link

 

[ShannonT]

Sounds like it could be an internal parasite. You should be able to treat it with Metronidazole. I think you can use this in food or as a dip.

Good luck.

 

[T-unit]

What do you mean by dip? I was going to put him in another tank and treat the tank.

 

[ShannonT]

You can do that too.

By a "dip", instead of using another tank, you can use just another (smaller) container full of water and put the fish in there for 5-10 minutes, along with the meds.

 

[T-unit]

Thanks for the info. I will start treatment tomorrow.-Tom

 

[MarinaP]

I would start with http://www.uskoi.com/prazipro.htm in a hospital tank.

You can follow up with metro (oral treatment is preferred), if there is no improvement.

Piperazine kills different kinds of internal parasites than metro, so you might end up using both.