Internal Parasites or Pregnant Clown?

[Reefer37]

I have a pair of clowns that have been together a little over a year now. I'd say the male is 2 years old and female 3 or 4. They've been behaving very much like pre-spawn for the first time with the male clearing out a spot (picking up sand and moving it) and both clearing out areas and doing their dance. I've never seen or experienced spawning so this may just be that, but yesterday I noticed a white tube hanging out the anus area of my female clownfish along with the area swollen.

I can't tell if this is internal parasites or her carrying a clutch preparing for spawning.

Any advice?
Really hoping not internal parasites, we've been slowly preparing to move and already tore down my QT and probably wouldn't be able to get it back up till this weekend at the earliest...

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

That is mucus and not related to reproduction. It is really unusual for long term captive fish to suddenly develop internal diseases. Have you added any fish recently, or changed their diet?

It is highly unlikely, almost impossible for this to be from worm parasites. It is therefore mucus from a change in diet, "intestinal upset", protozoans (rare) or bacterial infection. If the fish is feeding well, I would just observe it for now.

Jay

 

[Reefer37]

That is mucus and not related to reproduction. It is really unusual for long term captive fish to suddenly develop internal diseases. Have you added any fish recently, or changed their diet?

It is highly unlikely, almost impossible for this to be from worm parasites. It is therefore mucus from a change in diet, "intestinal upset", protozoans (rare) or bacterial infection. If the fish is feeding well, I would just observe it for now.

Jay

No changes in diet, this has been their diet since getting them. I feed once a day Omega One + garlic flakes and Ocean Nutrition Formula Two. About twice a week I feed LRS Reef Frenzy.

Today I saw something new. Almost a bulbous thing attached to her anus area with the same white string. I attached a video as best of screen shot as I could get.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Really tough to see. Could be a minor prolapse. The fish looks pretty good otherwise.

You could try feeding an antibiotic medicated food, but to do it right, it's pretty complicated:

Proper Dosing of Medicated Foods

This article offers information about developing medicated foods for aquarium fish

www.reef2reef.com

Jay