Hey guys,
I need some assistance here, I've had "Google" my fahaka for over 3 months and I started noticing some stringy poo and decided to research it. I came across Anabelles IP's post, I read just about all of it and even tho their behavior is different, the poop looks identical. I just moved 2 weeks ago and Google was previously in a 29gal tank alone with great water parameters and now he is in a 55gal tank with a Jack Dempsey 2 gouramis and a Pleco. I tested the water last night and here is what it gave me.
P.h. 8
Ammonia 0 to .20 (doing a water change after work)
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 40
He has not once lost his appetite, I usually feed him frozen krill ( thaw in aquarium water 10-15 mins prior to feeding and never put the water back in the tank) ghost shrimp about once a week and some feeder fishes once or twice a month. I also get the lil black snails for free from petsmart and have tried feeding him regular snails but hes not big enough yet.
Its been about a month since I first saw his poop like that and I will see it one day and not see it for another 5 days.
Can someone help me with this, he had some attached last night and I was going to pull it out but once he was on the net he started swimming and it released it.
bellow are some pictures
Could it be tapeworm?
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
-
puffaman
- Puffer Fry
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Could it be tapeworm?
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Jivenjune
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Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Well, it definitely looks like internal parasites. Puffers are pretty sensitive to medication, so I will let someone else advise you on possible treatments for your fahaka.
I'd be careful about those feeder fishes, though.
Almost all feeder fish contain a significant source of internal parasites, and from my understanding, when you feed your fish these feeders, they unintentionally inherit these parasites. If you have to, feed your fish silversides. They're inexpensive alternatives, and they should be parasite free since they're sold in frozen packs.
I'd be careful about those feeder fishes, though.
Almost all feeder fish contain a significant source of internal parasites, and from my understanding, when you feed your fish these feeders, they unintentionally inherit these parasites. If you have to, feed your fish silversides. They're inexpensive alternatives, and they should be parasite free since they're sold in frozen packs.
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LilGreenPuffer
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- Location: Kentucky
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Well, you need to start with a really big water change. Ammonia and high nitrates (over 20ppm) will lower his immune system significantly.
Next, you need to get some dewormer. It's easy to find in pet stores. Soak her food in it and treat her for the length of time given on the package. (Don't worry about treating the water; most of it won't get into her system that way.)
You know you'll need to upgrade relatively soon, right?
Fahakas are fast growers - an inch a month! - and they stunt quickly. He'll need at least 120g soon.
Edit - by the way, as he gets bigger, the tankmates might get eaten.
Next, you need to get some dewormer. It's easy to find in pet stores. Soak her food in it and treat her for the length of time given on the package. (Don't worry about treating the water; most of it won't get into her system that way.)
You know you'll need to upgrade relatively soon, right?
Fahakas are fast growers - an inch a month! - and they stunt quickly. He'll need at least 120g soon.Edit - by the way, as he gets bigger, the tankmates might get eaten.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
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Dadof4
- Tech Team
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- Location (country): United States
- Location: North Wisconsin
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Even though Annebelle had tape worm, what she had before was general IP's and that is what the poo looks like in the pic you posted. I highly doubt that it is tapeworm. If he's still eating food soaked in Prazipro should do the trick.
"Darwin swings...annnnnnd a miss. Boy Jim, Chuck's suffered at the plate tonight. He's 0 for 3 and I'm not sure he's recovered from that shoulder pull a few weeks ago. I'll bet the front office is re-thinking that contract."
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Pufferpunk
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Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Lots of reading for you:
library/category/feeding/
library/hospital/internal-parasites-pre ... treatment/
library/category/feeding/
library/hospital/internal-parasites-pre ... treatment/
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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pufferpuggirl
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Rainbow crab
crayfish - Location (country): Yorkshire, GB
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
With having so many puffers, and the chances of contaiminating another tank from one that's got an IP problem being very likely ... I am always concerned with internal parasites. Unfortunately, here in the UK, worming medications are not easy to find, and those that are available don't appear to work very well in my opinion. So I've just had a look on eBay and I've found Praziquantel tablets for fish (34mg/5 tablets) ..... if I wanted to make sure my puffer gets that medication into his/her system, could I break up those tablets, add some water and then soak the food in it? Do you think that would work? My MBU seems continually to be having those white stringy poops, even though I've treated him in the past. I just don't want the IP's to get ahold of him and it be too late to do anything about.
Thanks.
Thanks.
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
That works!
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
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pufferpuggirl
- Mbu Puffer
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Rainbow crab
crayfish - Location (country): Yorkshire, GB
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Okay ..... how much of one tablet would you break and mush up to soak the food in for this one puffer? Although I can't guarantee that the other puffers won't also eat some of the same food because my irrubesco, and now the salivator, try and take food from BeeBoo when they can -- so they will probably eat some too, although that should be a good thing. 
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
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RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
I have no idea. I don't know anything about the concentration of that medication.
Edit - All fish in the tank need to be treated.
Edit - All fish in the tank need to be treated.
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
-
pufferpuggirl
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 3979
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:04 pm
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1 x M Abei
1 x M Turgidus
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1 x M Baileyii
1 x T Schoutedeni
1 x T Leiurus
1 x T Miurus
Rainbow crab
crayfish - Location (country): Yorkshire, GB
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Yeah I can understand that, and I have been treating the entire tank, but BeeBoo is the only one I'm constantly seeing those white stringy poops coming from, that's why I wanted to get him to eat some of the food that had been soaked in it.
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
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puffaman
- Puffer Fry
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- My Puffers: 1 Fahaka Puffer "Google"
2 GSP "Puff Daddy" & "Bubbles" - Location (country): Phoenix AZ USA
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Yes he will be getting an upgrade soon, he is only about 4 inches right now but I'm just waiting for a good deal on CL.
I did do an water change and the ammonia level is down to 0, I'm going to look for the medication to soak his food in.
I prefer to feed him ghost shrimp over feeder fish but the stores around are always low on them but I guess it will be worth to wait.
It surprises me how he doesn't pick on the gouramis, maybe its because they don't try to eat his food, my JD in the other hand might have to be relocated.
Is it hard to breed snails and shrimp, I'm want to try to breed some red cherry shrimps any tips or links?
Thanks you guys!
I did do an water change and the ammonia level is down to 0, I'm going to look for the medication to soak his food in.
I prefer to feed him ghost shrimp over feeder fish but the stores around are always low on them but I guess it will be worth to wait.
It surprises me how he doesn't pick on the gouramis, maybe its because they don't try to eat his food, my JD in the other hand might have to be relocated.
Is it hard to breed snails and shrimp, I'm want to try to breed some red cherry shrimps any tips or links?
Thanks you guys!
-
Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
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- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Greenville, SC
- Contact:
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
If there are tank mates, everyone has to be treated.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
-
pufferpuggirl
- Mbu Puffer
- Posts: 3979
- Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:04 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Puffs & Stuff:
1 x M Abei
1 x M Turgidus
1 x T Palembangensis
1 x M Baileyii
1 x T Schoutedeni
1 x T Leiurus
1 x T Miurus
Rainbow crab
crayfish - Location (country): Yorkshire, GB
- Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Snails are easy to breed, but I have no idea about shrimp.
"Puffer .... man's best friend?"
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PolishPuff
- Mbu Puffer
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Also cared for;
Fahaka------------------- Had to give it away
Auriglobus modestus-----Traded
Auriglobus silus ---------Died during transport.
Figure Eight Puffers -----Sold and or traded
Dwarf Puffers ------------Traded
Congo Puffer ------------Traded
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Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Any one ever used GEL-TEK for IP's?
"Lost time is never found again" Benjamin Franklin
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Dadof4
- Tech Team
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- Location (country): United States
- Location: North Wisconsin
Re: Could it be tapeworm?
Yes, that is all I use right now, Gel-Tek Ultra Cure PX. Too bad it's off the market now, I'm down to my last bottle.
"Darwin swings...annnnnnd a miss. Boy Jim, Chuck's suffered at the plate tonight. He's 0 for 3 and I'm not sure he's recovered from that shoulder pull a few weeks ago. I'll bet the front office is re-thinking that contract."