Strange Angelfish

H

H2O

Medium Fish
#1
Oct 4, 2005
89
0
0
SW Michigan
#1
Ok, this is going to sound weird:

My oldest angel's anus has several very short (maybe 1-3mm), red stringy things coming out of it. I just noticed it a few days ago-no change since then. As far as I know, could have been like that for a long time. Eating well and acting normal.

What in the heck is it?:eek:
 

JimMelAddie

JimMelAddie

Large Fish
#3
Jan 20, 2005
246
0
0
45
Missouri
Visit site
#3
You know what? I noticed the same thing on a couple of my Jewels a while back when I actually had more than one. I thought the two died due to the later stress effects of my little water changing incident http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/showthread.php?t=30601. I'm not totally positive that the two that perished shortly thereafter were the ones that had that problem but that very well could have been it. I never thought twice when I noticed it. I just figured it was natural on Jewels. Come to think of it, I don't think the one I have left has the "little red hairs." I'll have to look a bit closer when I get home.
 

H

H2O

Medium Fish
#4
Oct 4, 2005
89
0
0
SW Michigan
#4
icky-yucky-blech! Good site, gross pictures, Lotus!

After looking at the site, perhaps it is cammellanus worms, but in the picture they are brown, and the ones on my angel are blood-red. (and shorter, but they are thin like that) Yick! And you can treat it by pulling them out!

I was wondering if it could possibly be part of the angel's own vascular system? Something like hemmorrhoids?

I don't know-will do some more research. None of the other fish seem to have this.

If anyone has any experience, or other suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks!

(I am so thoroughly grossed out right now)
 

Lotus

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#5
Aug 26, 2003
15,115
13
38
Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#5
Sorry, I used to post a warning about that site :p

Occasionally a fish will have some kind of a collapse of the bowels, does it look like its intestines hanging out?

If you're sure it's just the one fish, you could treat it for parasites in a hospital tank, although it would be better to treat all the fish. You could try some anti-parasitic food for a while.
 

H

H2O

Medium Fish
#6
Oct 4, 2005
89
0
0
SW Michigan
#6
No, the intestines seem fine.
With further research really does look like camellanus.

Will try treating with Levamisole, but will also talk with LFS owner who is knowledgeable and see if he has any ideas.

Thanks for info, Lotus!
 

H

H2O

Medium Fish
#7
Oct 4, 2005
89
0
0
SW Michigan
#7
Ok, one last important question: It's not something I can catch, is it? I can't find any info about it. Don't think so, but want to make sure. (yes, still so thoroughly grossed out!:p )
 

H

H2O

Medium Fish
#8
Oct 4, 2005
89
0
0
SW Michigan
#8
Gosh darn it, thought of something else. In my research on treatment, some fish may die after treatment because of rotting worms inside body. Would a little epsom salt in water help to pass them out? If so, how much?

I will be treating entire tank, as well as second tank, because have shared equipment and decorations between both.

I will update after I find more info/begin treatment.
 

Lotus

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#9
Aug 26, 2003
15,115
13
38
Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#9
I've heard of an epsom salt "bath" for fish, where you put them in a bucket with water and epsom salts, and it helps them get rid of the parasites. It is supposedly fairly safe.

I don't remember the instructions... I'll have a google and see if I can come up with something.
 

Lotus

Lotus

Ultimate Fish
Moderator
#10
Aug 26, 2003
15,115
13
38
Southern California
home.earthlink.net
#10
Well, I can't find the instructions. :( I certainly don't want to give you the wrong instructions. There are instructions for treating with epsom salts in the tank, though.

You could also try a medication containing praziquantel, which is supposedly very effective. The Gel-Tek brand has this as the active ingredient, I believe it's what they use for worming cats and dogs.
 

H

H2O

Medium Fish
#11
Oct 4, 2005
89
0
0
SW Michigan
#11
Aaargh! The more I research, the more I don't know what to do.*ALL*

I was going to use levamisole-but it doesn't work at pH above 7.0. I'm not going to change the pH of both my tanks-the fish are used to it, and would be hard to maintain.

So, now I'm considering Flubendazole. (Does anyone have any experience with this?)

It looks like I might be able to get it at the local vet's.
 

H

H2O

Medium Fish
#12
Oct 4, 2005
89
0
0
SW Michigan
#12
Ok, think I have decided to try Praziquantel/PraziPro. It is supposed to be gentle, and will not interrupt biological filtration.

Once again, if anyone has info-please share!

Thanks and wish me luck!
 

H

H2O

Medium Fish
#13
Oct 4, 2005
89
0
0
SW Michigan
#13
Very Disappointed

:( UPDATE:

(Reminder, only 1 large angel had noticable symptoms.)

Did treatment with PraziPro on Tuesday night after 60% w/c, as directed.

Thursday morning, 1 of my congo tetras was dead.

Friday morning, 1 of my rainbows is showing signs of a bacterial infection (raised scales, reddened around edges)

Saturday morning, large angel died. Saturday night, other angel died. Rainbow still alive, don't know for how long.

Took large angel to LFS that has expert, did exam with microscope, definite diagnosis of camellanus. The worms were still alive!!! After 2 hours in fridge! So I am not sure if PraziPro is working, or not.

All water levels still ok.

Will start treating with Gel-tek ultra cure on Sunday.

I am very sad, and worried that I will lose all of my fish. I am also concerned about 2 week old tank, because I had used some rocks from the infected tank. I am treating it as well.

Please, Please, if anyone has any suggestions, let me know.
 

f8fan

f8fan

MFT Staff
#19
Nov 19, 2004
1,765
8
38
Bangor, Maine
#19
Well, here is another interesting article - sounds a lot like what you have gone through.
http://inkmkr.com/Fish/CamallanusTreatment/experience.html
Sounds like the meds "paralyze" the worms...then they get passed (hopefully) out the poop shoot, then die, resulting in bacterial problems for all the other fish. If not then they stay dead inside the bellies and as this article quotes:

Their guts are so full of dead clinging things they are rotting inside the fish. Bacteria, septicemia, gas bloating - all the nastiest one can think of. Feeding the fish lots of live foods will generally move the stuff through the gut. Newly hatched brine shrimp is my best remedy for these small fishes.
Click to expand...
Man what a stinker for you! Good luck, I'm gonna keep on googling...;)

More articles:
http://lists.thekrib.com/gsas-member/0405/msg00063.html
http://www.awforum.net/angelfish/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5146&SearchTerms=worms,anus
http://www.awforum.net/angelfish/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=5763&SearchTerms=worms,anus
http://www.pricenetwork.ca/archive/topic/17982-1.html

Seems like everyone recommends Levimisole but then there is that pesky ph issue!!
 

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