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Default deworming?

Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2017 8:58 pm
by astrid37
Hello All,

Thanks for all of the help and resources available through this forum! I thoroughly read the deworming instructions in the forum library and have gone through old posts here. I am looking for opinions on whether to deworm by default for a new addition (tetraodon schoutedeni)? Photo attached. The article in the forum library seemed to suggest that it should be done by default, and I'm leaning toward doing it since I know my puffer was being fed live feeder goldfish (I know, I know :( ) before he became the newest member of the family. He's in a 55g with some serpae tetras and peppered corys. I've only had him two days, but he's eating well, ramhorms, blackworms, and reconstituted freeze-dried krill soaked in vitamin water. I picked up the metroplex and levamisole hcl just in case. I am afraid to rock the boat since he's eating well and seems healthy but also don't want him to have a shortened life due to any possible parasites. He was given a "general cure" before I got him (which I am under the impression doesn't really tackle parasites?), don't have any more specific information than that. Darned if I do and darned if I don't?

Thanks so much,
Astrid

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:16 am
by Pufferpunk
How does his poop look? IMO, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:35 pm
by astrid37
I like that philosophy! So far, I haven't seen much poop. I will keep a close eye out and report back when there is a sighting. :) He's just so darn cute. Very peaceful (except when it comes to eating snails or krill, but even then, doesn't go after the tetras if they snag a bite) with a healthy dose of curiosity. I am totally head over heels. He already recognizes the tongs after just two days and comes zooming over when he sees them!

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 9:58 pm
by Pufferpunk
Mine, too! :smitten:

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:40 pm
by astrid37
Finally caught Copernicus pooping! Thoughts on whether he may have a harmful parasite load?
(Apologies for the grainy image. The original was too large to upload, so I had to reduce the resolution.) He is eating even better than when he first arrived about a week ago, which I didn't think was possible! :lol:

Thanks for everything,
Astrid

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 9:10 am
by Pufferpunk
Poop looks good!

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 9:47 am
by hadla
O.o white poop is normal?

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:01 am
by Pufferpunk
Depends on what they're eating. My puffs eat a lot of white foods, like shrimp, mussels, clams, scallop. As long as it's not stringy, it should be fine.

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 11:12 am
by hadla
Oh ok that’s interesting

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2017 12:46 pm
by astrid37
Super, many thanks! Such a relief and good to know what to look for! :D

Re: Default deworming?

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 11:46 am
by KGNickl
If wild caught recently I do default deworming (for example any new dwarf puffer I get). If the puffer has been out of the wild and in an aquarium for 3+ months and is fat and does not have stringy poop then I would skip it and just watch for signs of worms.