Suspect stomach parasite

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#1
Mar 4, 2012
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Cleveland
#1
So my ich treatment went fairly well. I think its vanquished, however I did loose my clown loach sadly. Water params are normal, heat is back down. I have a sneaking suspicioun that in the weakend state of my tank of late a stomach parasite may have taken hold.

Just a few minutes ago I noticed that some of my larger and older mbunas had not sunken but flattened stomaches. I am pretty sure that is not how they have always been. All of them I remember having a very defined bullet shape to them. Then I glanced at a medium size albino red top that I purchased about a month ago and his stomach is definitly beginning to look sunken. Then it hit me. I visited the local fish store that I purchased him from just a few days ago. I looked at the same tank he came from where other medium size mbunas are kept and declined a purchase because they all had clearly sunken stomaches.

I just put that together in the last few minutes. I strongly believe he introduced a stomach parasite into my tank.

So my as this is my first encounter with such a situation I have a few questions.

What is the best med for treatment? I have read up on some but I like to hear first hand accts.
I will definitly have to treat the whole tank, so how strong will the meds affect fish (healthy or not), bacteria and scaleless.
Are there any side effects?
Should I address any dietary issues? All seem active and hungry.
Am I thinking of this correctly or should I be looking for another culprit?
Am I missing anything?

Thanks in advance for the help. I'm sure MFT will once again prove its worth.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#2
Mar 4, 2012
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Cleveland
#2
Also just camread about Fish tuberculosis, ... similar symtoms. I'm leaning toward a major antifungal, anti bacterial and anti parasite medical dose. What say you guys?
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#5
Mar 4, 2012
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Cleveland
#5
I don't (at this point) have reason to believe so. The symptoms are pretty different. But I do believe the the high temps and parasite combined may have weakend the fish and made them more susceptable to it.
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#6
Mar 21, 2011
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#6
Last edited:
djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#7
Mar 21, 2011
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#7
Should also say if the fish are not eating, Epsom Salt will help increase appatite, It is a mild laxative and helps them poo out the parasites, we add 1 cup per 100 gallons.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#8
Mar 4, 2012
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Cleveland
#8
Thanks djm. Today after some research I settled on Tetra Parasite Guard with prazi as the main active ingredient. It seemed to me that prazi is the most widely used anti internal parasite. I will let this treatment run its coarse and and see what happens, but in the mean time I will check out your reco. Thanks again. Now I do have API aquarium salt on hand. Do you think this will have the same effect as epsom or no?

Oh and yes they are still eating... very actively I might add. Also it should be noted that I am also dosing the tank with pimafix and melafix to treat any possible fungle and bacterial infection that may try to take hold.
 

djm761

djm761

Large Fish
#9
Mar 21, 2011
190
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0
#9
If they are all eating I don't think you will have any problems, I have used parasite guard and prazi, they do work if the fish are eating, watch your fish if they start spitting up after feeding you may have to try something different, and no you don't need a laxative if they are eating well.
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#11
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
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Cleveland
#11
So I let the tank sit for two days with the prazi. Last night the fish were clearly lethargic, almost appeared to be sleeping at the bottom of the tank so I did about an 80% water change. They perked up right away. I also did notice the infamous white stringy poop being expelled. That did not occur until medication began. I wonder though, is that the parasite being expelled or just waste. I am tempted to do another medication today to ensure the parasite is done for. I wonder, are there any immediate clues that the parasite is gone?
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#15
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
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38
Cleveland
#15
Funny you should say that. I drain my tanks into the yard and all the plants (and weeds) grow like their on steroids. Alot of my family is on septics so we don't take city water for granted. However you may want to consider african cichlids if you are on well water. They thrive in hard water.
 

FreshyFresh

FreshyFresh

Superstar Fish
#16
Jan 11, 2013
1,337
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East Aurora, NY
#16
We've got a weird combo; City water, but no sewer. Water is very soft. I'm at the bottom of the first pH chart per the API pH test. 7.8 I believe.

Sorry for going way OT.... I'm always paranoid with the septic. When we sold our previous house ~2yrs ago (when child #4 was on the way), our septic failed the health dept test after we had contract with buyers. I was on the hook for an $8500 new system for the new owners! Fun!

Then I bought a house around the corner, built in 1973.. with the original septic. Glutton for punishment. Oh well.. previous house's septic was from 1955.

Joel
 

FishDad

FishDad

Superstar Fish
#17
Mar 4, 2012
1,218
1
38
Cleveland
#17
Every time I talk to people in your situation it makes me even more grateful to have city water and city sewer. My wife freaks out about the chems in the water, I just smile and nod but in my mind I'm thinking "its worth it!".
 

FreshyFresh

FreshyFresh

Superstar Fish
#18
Jan 11, 2013
1,337
23
38
East Aurora, NY
#18
I hear that FD. Years ago, our first little 1000sq/ft ranch had city water & sewer.

Just a bit up the road, it's well water and septic. No power = no water. If they need a lift-station for proper septic operation.. can't flush either! No thanks.
 

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