Is white stringy poop necessarily parasites?

criscorrea · Jul 31, 2020

This guy ocellaris couple were the first fish introduced in my aquarium, 9 weeks ago. The female has stringy poops some days. I first noticed the stringy poop 4 weeks ago. Today I noticed for the first time not only stringy but also white. Besides this it looks in great shape, swims normal, eats normal, breaths normal.... What do you guys think, is this necessarily internal parasites and I should treat before other symptoms appear or should I let it be and just pay close attention to other symptoms? In that case, what would those other symptoms be?

I feed them them a frozen mix my LFS prepares that has fish, a bunch of seafood, etc, also some gelatine in it though... maybe its just that!

Thanks!

Webslinger · Jul 31, 2020

no, just don't feed as often

Texas Rick · Jul 31, 2020

Lovely, just Lovely!

dbowman5 · Jul 31, 2020

i hope not lol

The_Skrimp · Jul 31, 2020

Not always. It could also be diet related. If the fish is acting normal and eating okay, You could try mixing up their diet and see if that changes anything. If you’re still seeing white stringy poops though you can try prazipro (but this will kill any worms in your tank, including dusters) or you can simply soak their food in minced garlic for a while before feeding. My clowns came with parasites when I got them and the prazipro fixed them right up.

Trever · Jul 31, 2020

Were the fish quarantined/treated? If not, I think you know your answer, and the parasite is almost for sure not limited to just that fish now... My understanding is that for the most part, the fish will act and eat normally with parasites- at least for awhile. If things were otherwise, the tell-tale sign would not be stringy poops like that.

I'm not an expert by any means on this so will let others tell you.

Webslinger · Jul 31, 2020

Clowns are pig's they never will stop eating...haha but could be a parasite...If he's acting normal, he should be able to fight it off without doing anything...My clown and flame angle both get stringy poop for the last 5 years, if I overfeed the tank

criscorrea · Jul 31, 2020

Im feeding heavily.. maybe its just that then

NowGlazeIT · Jul 31, 2020

@Big G

Trever · Aug 31, 2020

@criscorrea see https://cafishvet.com/2020/01/25/white-stringy-poop-in-fish/

Unless the poop is moving on it's own... you probably don't have to worry.

FYI my new clowns do this too (white stringy poop sometimes), and I've heard several experienced reefers now talk about that this seems to be a clown thing. I wonder if it's the breeding/mariculture that is making them have screwy GIs.

Anyways ignore my previous reply.

criscorrea · Aug 31, 2020

Thanks @Trever , indeed I came to the same conclusion and didn't do anything about it. Fish are happy and eating well still, haven't seen any more stringy poop since.. have been feeding a lot less as I realized I was overfeeding and this was causing algae issues. Algae is gone now, no more stringy poop and my aquarium is a beautiful and happy place for fish and corals!

Best,