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possible tape worms in discus or?

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  • possible tape worms in discus or?

    HELP!
    Ive got a discus with white feces, could it be tape worms or hexamita? He is in my 105 Discus tank with 11 others and hes the only one showing signs. Im worried about this possibly getting to my other ones. What should i treat with, and should i treat all of them(the whole tank) or pull just him out?
    what meds do you recommend?
    Last edited by Driven85; 04-04-2011, 01:47 PM.
    105g Discus
    110g Tropheus red moliro

  • #2
    Put him in a quarantine tank ASAP. Start with metro. If he is eating mix metro into food if not treat water. Good luck. I seam to always have one discus sick.
    Fishtafarian- Fish are more than just a hobby, they are an obsession.

    110 gal Tall (Angel Community)
    29 gal (Planted Puffer)
    10 gal (snails and small planted)
    5 gal Hex (shrimp)

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    • #3
      Tape worm would look like solid white segmented "poop". The segments are pretty obvious, each is usually the same size. If you actually pick it up, you might actually see segments move.
      If so, praziquantel. You can get it as Prazi Pro. Or if you really can't find it, the next best thing would be API General Cure or Jungle Parasite Clear, which are both a mixture of prazi and metronidazole (see below). I have safely used the prazi/metro mixtures at 1.5 - 2 times recommended dosage with no adverse effects on the discus.
      Another alternative (but harder to find) is flubenol (fenbendazole) but it's less forgiving if you overdose. I'd stick with prazi.

      However, if the "poop" is white, stringy and jelly like, it is more likely internal flagellates such as the kind that is associated with Hex. The white you see is not really poop but the discus shedding its intestinal lining to try to get rid of the flagellates.
      If so, treat with metronidazole. It is most effective if it is ingested. If you fish is still eating, soak some of it's normal food in some metro solution for 5 or 10 minutes before feeding it to them. If not, then you have no choice but to dose the water. This will take longer. Just follow the dosing instructions on the bottle. Do note that metronidazole is an antibiotic. I would suggest continuing to treat the fish / water for at least 2 or 3 days after the fish has recovered to make sure that you get everything. Otherwise it may return and be more resistant to subsequent treatments.

      Metro is slightly harder to find in pure form. Some stores will sell Hikari's Metro Plus which is your best bet, otherwise you'll have to look for mixtures. General Cure and Parasite Clear i mentioned above. Or you can try Jungle's Parasite GUARD (not "CLEAR") which has metro and acriflavin.

      Good luck!
      Last edited by nacra99; 04-04-2011, 02:03 PM.
      www.ventralfins.com

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      • #4
        Best thing to do IMO is QT raise the temp and feed them Angel Plus medicated flake food. Also lots of WC.
        Resident fish bum
        330G FOWLR
        34G Reef
        330G Discus biotopish (no longer running)
        28G JBJ Reef (no longer running)
        Treasurer, GHAC

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        • #5
          Show quality angelfish, IFGA guppies, bristlenose and fancy swordtails available here. We also carry a line of fish supplies that breeders find valuable.
          Resident fish bum
          330G FOWLR
          34G Reef
          330G Discus biotopish (no longer running)
          28G JBJ Reef (no longer running)
          Treasurer, GHAC

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          • #6
            Thanks Guys, im going to bump my temp up another 2 degrees and do some heavy water changes, as well dose my whole tank as i think i may have another two showing very early signs of Hex. Better safe then sorry, Id hate to have an epidemic.
            105g Discus
            110g Tropheus red moliro

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