Is this Poop?

[henryhahn]

So, today my firefish had this long thing hanging from his abdomen. I am hoping it is just a long poop and not something wrong with it... What is it?

 

[reeferfoxx]

Yes and no. How long have you had the fish?

 

[henryhahn]

I have had it about a month

 

[Baby Ray]

Looks like in intestinal worm. You will defiantly want to treat it.

 

[reeferfoxx]

@melypr1985

 

[melypr1985]

White stringy poo is usually a sign of intestinal worms. Luckily this can be treated in the display provided the fish is still eating. You'll need Metroplex by Seachem and Focus by Seachem. Using frozen food is the easiest IME. 1 cube of frozen food with 1 scoop of metro and focus. Let it sit for 20 minutes before feeding. Feed once a day for a minimum of 10 days (may take longer). The Focus binds the med to the food making it reef safe. Running carbon isn't a bad idea just in case a little med leaks out. Its also ok if all the other fish eat the medicated food since they can catch this as well by eating the firefish's poop.

 

[Baby Ray]

White stringy poo is usually a sign of intestinal worms. Luckily this can be treated in the display provided the fish is still eating. You'll need Metroplex by Seachem and Focus by Seachem. Using frozen food is the easiest IME. 1 cube of frozen food with 1 scoop of metro and focus. Let it sit for 20 minutes before feeding. Feed once a day for a minimum of 10 days (may take longer). The Focus binds the med to the food making it reef safe. Running carbon isn't a bad idea just in case a little med leaks out. Its also ok if all the other fish eat the medicated food since they can catch this as well by eating the firefish's poop.

My clownfish in my icon had an intestinal worm and I did this exact thing and he is fine now.

 

[henryhahn]

Another pic if it helps

 

[henryhahn]

White stringy poo is usually a sign of intestinal worms. Luckily this can be treated in the display provided the fish is still eating. You'll need Metroplex by Seachem and Focus by Seachem. Using frozen food is the easiest IME. 1 cube of frozen food with 1 scoop of metro and focus. Let it sit for 20 minutes before feeding. Feed once a day for a minimum of 10 days (may take longer). The Focus binds the med to the food making it reef safe. Running carbon isn't a bad idea just in case a little med leaks out. Its also ok if all the other fish eat the medicated food since they can catch this as well by eating the firefish's poop.

So this is def a parasite?
I know the one clown was chasing it, so I imagine it has it too now...
I have never used anything other than flakes. Is there a specific frozen food I should pick up? This fish spooks super easy, do I leave it out somewhere for it?
Is there something I did wrong that allowed the fish to get this?

 

[melypr1985]

So this is def a parasite?
I know the one clown was chasing it, so I imagine it has it too now...
I have never used anything other than flakes. Is there a specific frozen food I should pick up? This fish spooks super easy, do I leave it out somewhere for it?
Is there something I did wrong that allowed the fish to get this?

Yes it most likely is. The other fish might have it too, but that's ok. It's mostly an easy thing to treat for. You can look for frozen Mysis shrimp. My fish all love it and it will help in the long run by adding diversity to your fish's diet.

I"m not sure what you mean by leaving it out somewhere for it. Just feed the fish with the medicated food once a day. As long as he eats a little each day he's getting help.

I don't think you did anything. If you QT your fish, you might have noticed it sooner or treated for it prophylactically before going into the display. But I don't think you did anything to cause it, one fish probably brought it in from the wholesaler's or even from the wild. You just never know.

 

[reeferfoxx]

So this is def a parasite?
I know the one clown was chasing it, so I imagine it has it too now...
I have never used anything other than flakes. Is there a specific frozen food I should pick up? This fish spooks super easy, do I leave it out somewhere for it?
Is there something I did wrong that allowed the fish to get this?

This is a low risk treatment that should work. I wouldn't worry to much

 

[melypr1985]

My clownfish in my icon had an intestinal worm and I did this exact thing and he is fine now.

That's great! I'm glad he's doing well for you

 

[henryhahn]

This is a low risk treatment that should work. I wouldn't worry to much

Thank you! Needed that
I am a father of 3 boys and this tank has me feeling like a new parent all over again... I spend countless time in front of it checking that all are accounted for and moving.

 

[henryhahn]

Yes it most likely is. The other fish might have it too, but that's ok. It's mostly an easy thing to treat for. You can look for frozen Mysis shrimp. My fish all love it and it will help in the long run by adding diversity to your fish's diet.

I"m not sure what you mean by leaving it out somewhere for it. Just feed the fish with the medicated food once a day. As long as he eats a little each day he's getting help.

I don't think you did anything. If you QT your fish, you might have noticed it sooner or treated for it prophylactically before going into the display. But I don't think you did anything to cause it, one fish probably brought it in from the wholesaler's or even from the wild. You just never know.

Thank you for the speedy replies! I am indeed the panicked parent right now...
I just added a small clown and a CUC this week from a local Petco. I guess it came with the clown
So I am headed out momentarily to pick up the meds and the mysis.

Which critters should I make sure are getting to it?
I have:
2 clowns
1 firefish
1 camelback snail
2 trochus snails
2 zebra tubo snails
2 nassarius snails
2 blue claw hermits

Approximately how much should I be feeding? (I currently do a pinch or 2 of flakes each day and skip Tuesdays and Fridays)
Should I do a dose tonight? (I typically only feed in the morning)
Thank you, again, @melypr1985

 

[melypr1985]

Thank you for the speedy replies! I am indeed the panicked parent right now...
I just added a small clown and a CUC this week from a local Petco. I guess it came with the clown
So I am headed out momentarily to pick up the meds and the mysis.

Which critters should I make sure are getting to it?
I have:
2 clowns
1 firefish
1 camelback snaile
2 trochus snails
2 zebra tubo snails
2 nassarius snails
2 blue claw hermits

Approximately how much should I be feeding? (I currently do a pinch or 2 of flakes each day and skip Tuesdays and Fridays)
Should I do a dose tonight? (I typically only feed in the morning)
Thank you, again, @melypr1985

Just the fish. Feed enough that all the fish get some and feed it every day until they no longer have white poop. If that happens before the 10 days are up, just keep on going until then.

Yes, you can certainly feed them the first tonight. Try not to let any hit the ground since the inverts don't need it. I've never had anything bad happen to corals or inverts that happen to eat a little, but it's not worth the risk to them.

Oh and don't worry too much. Panic is the worst thing you can do. Calm preparedness is the best thing you can do.... next to research and asking questions about things you just don't know yet. So far, your doing a great job

 

[henryhahn]

Just the fish. Feed enough that all the fish get some and feed it every day until they no longer have white poop. If that happens before the 10 days are up, just keep on going until then.

Yes, you can certainly feed them the first tonight. Try not to let any hit the ground since the inverts don't need it. I've never had anything bad happen to corals or inverts that happen to eat a little, but it's not worth the risk to them.

Oh and don't worry too much. Panic is the worst thing you can do. Calm preparedness is the best thing you can do.... next to research and asking questions about things you just don't know yet. So far, your doing a great job

Thanks for the support!
I hit 3 stores (called 3 more after the first 2 didn't have either) and was able to score the Metroplex. I had to order the focus online but I thought better to start treating with the metroplex than to wait until Saturday. All 3 fish went to town on the mysis! The firefish did puke some of it back up, so I hope that means he at least got the meds

 

[melypr1985]

Thanks for the support!
I hit 3 stores (called 3 more after the first 2 didn't have either) and was able to score the Metroplex. I had to order the focus online but I thought better to start treating with the metroplex than to wait until Saturday. All 3 fish went to town on the mysis! The firefish did puke some of it back up, so I hope that means he at least got the meds

I'm not sure if he will get any meds from it without the focus. The focus is what binds the meds to the food. It might cause problems in your display if you feed it now without the focus. Be sure to be running carbon right now, ok?

 

[henryhahn]

I do have active carbon in the filter. I guess I'll wait til Saturday when I get the focus? Thought I was on the right track

 

[melypr1985]

I do have active carbon in the filter. I guess I'll wait til Saturday when I get the focus? Thought I was on the right track

Your doing ok. I just wanted to be sure to warn you. I don't want you to have problems with your corals or inverts after doing this and then me realize I didn't warn ya.

 

[tom reilly]

Did this fish go through a quaranteen before you put it in your main tank? I saw you said petco. You have to be extra careful with the chain stores. But you should QT any new fish.