Weird Clownfish Poop

[Rachael0016]

Hey everyone.
I’m new to the saltwater hobby.
I finally got my tank where it needed to be and bought my first fish, a Clownfish.
He’s been eating fine, mostly mysis shrimp, and active for the last week.
This whole morning he’s been just hanging out in one corner with the giant poop hanging on.
is this normal?

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Did you QT the fish? How old is the tank? What are you feeding the clownfish?

 

[The Aquatic Arsenal]

Could be an internal parasite

 

[Rachael0016]

Did you QT the fish? How old is the tank? What are you feeding the clownfish?

I didn’t QT, didn’t even come to mind (I know my bad ) because there was no other fish only a nassarius snail and a small hermit crab.
Tank was about 4 weeks now 5.
He’s been mostly eating mysis shrimp, isn’t taking to micro pellets very well.

 

[lapin]

^^ above
Look into API General cure. It contains praziquantel and metronidazole.
Opps. I dont think its crab or shrimp safe.

 

[Rachael0016]

^^ above
Look into API General cure. It contains praziquantel and metronidazole.
Opps. I dont think its crab or shrimp safe.

I don’t have a hospital or QT tank set up yet.
Is it maybe worth just keeping an eye on him. I don’t plan to add any more fish for a little while. Is there a possibility since he been mostly eating mysis that his poop is colored like that? (I’m honestly not even sure what color Clownfish poop normally is)

 

[lapin]

Internal parasite symptoms include long stringy poop

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

I ran into this with my clowns and had to treat with API general cure. They were to the point of not eating so keep an eye.
API general cure is NOT reef safe so it would need to be treated in a separate tank.
You may try PraziPro which IS reef safe first.

 

[Rachael0016]

What’s the treatment time for praziquantel and metronidazole since I don’t have a proper QT set up?
or prazipro in the main tank?

 

[lapin]

I would watch the fish for any changes first . It might not be sick just a bit stopped up because of what it was fed at the LFS
If it seems ill, I would try this first:

Can PraziPro be used as a food additive instead of adding it to the whole tank? - Hikari Sales USA

Please see this link for more information on how to accomplish this.

www.hikariusa.com

Praziquantel

Edit: this is older information, a new post is here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/dosing-praziquantel-pzq.1105700/ Praziquantel (de-wormer) What It Treats – Flukes (Monogeneans), Black Ich (Turbellarians), and intestinal worms. How To Treat – There are a few aquarium products which...

www.reef2reef.com

then if its not better

Seachem - MetroPlex

www.seachem.com

Metronidazole

Metronidazole (Flagyl) What It Treats – Internal parasites (flagellates), Brooklynella, Uronema marinum. How To Treat – Metro can be found as a stand-alone drug (e.g. Seachem MetroPlex, Hikari Metro+) or incorporated into a multi-purpose medication (e.g. API General Cure). When using 100%...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[lapin]

oh and Howdy

 

[Rachael0016]

Thank you! And howdy.
Prazipro is reef safe for invertebrates right?
metro is only in a QT tank aka not reef safe??
If I’ve done my reading right.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

I have heard there are foods you can feed your fish that get rid of internal parasites. Maybe someone else has more information on this.

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Thank you! And howdy.
Prazipro is reef safe for invertebrates right?
metro is only in a QT tank aka not reef safe??
If I’ve done my reading right.

Yes PraziPro is reef safe(typically “reef safe” means anything you have in your reef tank will be okinverts, corals, fish etc)

metro is to only be done in a QT as it has harmful effects to inverts and I believe coral as well.

and good luck! It’s a stressful but educational experience. It made me bite the bullet and buy a QT setup which can be done for very cheap if you read on some of the guides here. Hope your clown does well!