The Puffer Forum

Water parameter:

Ammonia - 0
NO2 - 0
NO3- <10ppm
Temp - 27 Degree celcius
Tank 4 x 2 x 2ft
WC 1 day ago @ 50%
MBU size, 7.5in

IP Treatment not too successful, maybe not yet... using API General cure.

Had been soaking his food, mostly market prawn in API General cure for at least 30min/ per day. No problem with eating. Continous treatment for a 7days now. Past few days poop was quite ok, sometimes orangey though.. (see attached). today found him with white string poop.. along with regular poop. Any suggestions or change of med, or continue treatment?

No other symtoms, still very active, nice rounded body other than the white stringy poop.

Thanks in advance!

the sting of pearls isn't always IP's. I could just be extra mucus in the intestinal tract.

It is an indication that IPs are still present. It is not something to panic about (yet).

If you are currently treating for IPs, I'd continue to do so. There are other meds out there if you want to try them, but that is your call.

+1. I'd just continue.

I think that was the only brand they could find in their country. I have used that brand before and it did work.

If Birdy is eating, keeping his weight, and at least not losing weight, he/she should be doing fine.

There are many different species of IPs. If one med doesn't eradicate them, try another. He certainly looks great, in spite of them!

Are you able to order medication online?

Yep, I can order online. any suggestions? I think Birdy is getting suspicious of the food I am giving lol.. maybe time to change "flavor"..

Btw, I posted the below pic on the "puffer drifting " thread but I think prob is not too related and getting a bit too long.

Whenever Birdy eats mussle or cockles, the "thing" will always look like that the next day.. is that normal?

Balki makes very light colored poops when he has scallop for a meal, looks about like that, perhaps rounder.

You could try the Jungle Fizz Tabs Parasite Clear, the one J-P suggested if you want to switch up the meds.

I know the normal one has something like a "membrane" wrapping it and will be rounder.. mine just look like diarrhea, to me.. will try to order the jungle one.

Hope that no one thinks that I am obsessed with poop...

It is an important marker of health, it's very good that you are so attentive to all aspects of Birdy's health

The most successful IP med that I have used is Prazi-Pro. However, as with all meds, it is a good idea to do water changes and make sure the old medication is out before introducing a new one.

Prazi pro is a good product, it has one of the same active ingredients as General Cure, but General Cure also has metronidazole. Even though it's not indicated in the instructions, the medications need to be added to the food in order to effectively kill the parasites. The medication needs to be ingested; adding it to the water collumn is not adequate as freshwater fish do not consume the water surrounding them.

Haha.. Tough luck! Junglelabs.com happen to be down!!

Hmm..try Tetra Parasite Guard.

I am bumping this post again cos I dun think Birdy has been purged of his IP.. Since the last post, he has been having those chain like poops almost half the time, especially after scallop meals.. On some days, the poops just look very normal. especially after meals of crabs or crayfish. He's behaving normally, still eats like a pig.. Active, good rounded body, belly not sunken next day either. Just the chains that are quite annoying.

I have treated him with API general cure 3 times, each lasting for at least 5 days (food soaked in it for at least an hr). Does not seems to have any effect. I am beginning to think it normal to see the chain!!

Best of all, I cant find the Tetra and Jungle products recommended here!! Amazon does not ship here either..

Any locals on this forum that can help me out? Any little clue on where u have bought or seen them would be greatly appreciated!

I think the chain pooping is normal. White, stringy poops are bad.