The Puffer Forum

It looks like one of the minnows I added to my dwarf puffer's tank a month ago could have internal parasites (I noticed clear stringy poop, which you can see in the pictures I attached). I've removed the minnows, but I'm guessing I should treat the puffer; if that doesn't seem necessary, though, or if the pictures don't look like IPs, I'd be relieved not to do it.

I've read the article "Internal Parasites: Prevention and Treatment," but I still have some questions:

1) How do I know which medication to use? The article lists Metronidazole and Levamisole Hydrochloride (as a combination), Praziquantel, and Fenbendazole, but do those all do the same thing, or do they treat different types of IPs? Which one is best for this situation? (Any links to Amazon would be appreciated!)

2) I got some PraziPro awhile back, but never used it because the directions said to add it to the tank water rather than to the food. The "Contents" only lists "oxybispropanol (as an inert solubilizing agent) and <5% praziquantel by weight." Is this the right stuff to use if I use Praziquantel, or do I need another concentration?

3) The Prazi- and Fen- directions both say to give a certain amount of meds per pound of body weight, but I have no idea how much my DP weighs. Is there a way for me to weigh him (I do have a kitchen scale)? Or is it better to dose with a certain number of medicine-soaked black worms? And how often/how long should I do this?

4) Could the minnows have gotten IPs from the black worms that they steal from the puffer, or from the snails that my puffer eats? I'm wondering if I need to make changes to his diet, or to the source of his foods.

5) Would it help to do a large water change, or clean any decor in the tank?

Here are a couple of rough pictures of the clear poop in question (it's attached to a chunk of light-colored stuff, maybe normal minnow poop):

50% WC & substrate cleaning should be done weekly anyway. Different meds do kill different parasites but Prazi or Metro works well on most. A few drops of liquid or a salting of powdered med in the soaking water with food & garlic is recommended. Soak a few hours or overnight, before feeding.

many puffers are parasite infested long before they show symptoms
it's just as likely that the puffer had the parasites to begin with, just didn't show symptoms yet
this is why many people treat them for parasites as soon as they get the puffer
so the minnow may have nothing to do with it, or may have gotten the parasites from the puffer
also, a quarantine tank is a good idea if you can swing it

Thank you both! Luckily I have an extra 10 gallon, so I've moved the minnows in there. Pufferpunk, how long would you recommend feeding the medicated worms to a DP? I feed him once a day as of now; should I give him medicated worms for a week?

I think puffer punk reccomendationz treatment for three days.

3-5 days. May have to retreat.