mcmillanm Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Hi, this happens to the fish in my baby tank (a 60 something litre Jebo) in a few platies and mollies now and again and I was wondering if anyone knew why. I lost all of my last batch of dalmatian Molly babies to this and have just noticed a platy with the same problem. He lopjs a bit stretched, is breathing a bit fast a not swimming around like the others. To me it sounds like either a deficiency in their water or maybe somehow the filter? I am hoping someone on here may know... Also, I did a 25% water change yesterday, its an established tank and other tank mates such as cories seem fine as they keep spawning. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrienne Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 looks a bit stretched - do you mean he looks like he is skinny as in no tummy hanging down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmillanm Posted August 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Hi, Yeah he does look skinny, (maybe that makes him look a bit stretched), no rounded tummy, breathing a bit fast, lethargic, gills sticking out a bit. Most fish are fine but now two are like this. I do 2x25% water changes a week so water quality should be fine. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted August 9, 2011 Report Share Posted August 9, 2011 Internal worms or parasites? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmillanm Posted August 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 Would these effect just live bearers? I lost all of my last lot of baby mollies to this. If it is this, any ideas on treatments which are safe for corydoras too? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted August 10, 2011 Report Share Posted August 10, 2011 Internal worms or parasites? This would be my thoughts too. Would these effect just live bearers? I lost all of my last lot of baby mollies to this. If it is this, any ideas on treatments which are safe for corydoras too? Thanks Different breeds of fish are more succeptable to certain problems than others, mollies for example may be more prone to it if you have them in water that isn't brackish etc.. Without actually finding out what type of work is affecting your fish it is hard to decide the appropriate dosage, levamisole HCL (Aviverm) is a good place to start, if you search the forums for it using the search feature above you will find tons of advice just make sure you do it properly. If that doesn't work then you may have to try praziquental/metro or fenbedazole.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmillanm Posted August 11, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Hi, Is there any place other than a vet to get aviverm? Another thing with him - his gills seem a bit red and seem to be opening more than usual like his breathing is laboured. One other thing I noticed a few weeks ago was that some of the live bearers had long stringy white poos trailing behind them. I haven't noticed this lately but could that be something to do with it too? Hanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Yes long white stringy poos is a sign of worms - the worms are stripping everyone out of the food in the gut so the poo comes out clear with nothing left in it.. Aviverm can be purchased online from NZ stores (google it) and is available from the bird barn up here.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Those skinny signs can also be piscene TB but I would have to agree with the previous post---probably worms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmillanm Posted August 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 Thanks everyone. I've just ordered some from bird barn, hopefully will be here tomorrow. I guess it would be a good idea to dose both tanks as I swap fish around from time to time and share nets, syphons etc. Will let U know how I get on and hopefully it isn't too late for this fish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 I would probably only dose the one tank, if the fish improve then treat the other because you have obviously treated something.. Levamisole is pretty harmless though and I read somewhere it is a good immune system booster so it shouldn't hurt either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmillanm Posted August 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 I've read that the long stringy poo can also mean parasites or flukes. Are these the same as worms and is treatment the same or different for that (and safe for cories?). Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 Flukes and worms are all parasites But yeah internal parasites are one of the causes of white stringy poos especially when combined with the fish getting skinny, but it could still be plenty of other things. I recommend starting with the levamisole because it is cheap and easy to source, works quite well for a variety of things and is quite gentle.. Have you found the dosage rates etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmillanm Posted August 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 Yep, 1ml per 120L Will get onto it as soon as it arrives - hopefully tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmillanm Posted August 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 FYI After two doses my 2 skinny fish seem happier and are swimming around more normally which is great! Also added an airstone which all the fish seem to be enjoying. Thanks for the advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Awesome good work glad to hear it worked.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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