I noticed this evening that my Livingstonii has white stringy feces and didnt seem to be eating. Aside from those two things he is acting completely normal, very active and swimming around a lot. Is it malawi bloat? Is there something else that can cause white feces?
Malawi Bloat?
- Thread starter BarroomHero
- Start date
any enlargement at the bottom part of the cichlid? the combination of not eating and white feces does sound like bloat. is the white feces like fine cotton? The next symptom you should look out for is whether the fish is hiding all the time even during feeding? (aggression causes hiding as well) and whether the fish is swaying (later stages). I suggest isolating him right away, if you have a QT tank. Continue to observe him
It sounds like a case of internal parasites to me. Metronidazole, praziquantel, levamisole hydrochloride or flubendazole are your choices for treatment. Remember though white stringy poo will not mean your fish has internal parasites as it is possible it is only mucous membrane from its intestines.
For Malawi bloat, protrusion of scales, abnormally distended abdomen and popeye are surefire signs. Not all signs though will appear altogether. Causes are often not known as the case happens internally. Rectifying this problem is very difficult. It could have been caused by virus, bacteria or internal parasites, excessive protein intake, or simply the internal organs were damaged from sudden changes in environment.
Please post your water parameters, tank size, tankmates and dietary menu.
For Malawi bloat, protrusion of scales, abnormally distended abdomen and popeye are surefire signs. Not all signs though will appear altogether. Causes are often not known as the case happens internally. Rectifying this problem is very difficult. It could have been caused by virus, bacteria or internal parasites, excessive protein intake, or simply the internal organs were damaged from sudden changes in environment.
Please post your water parameters, tank size, tankmates and dietary menu.
He has no other symptoms. He swims around like normal and is very active. He did have a little bit of cloudyness in one of his eyes the other day but it went away after a day or 2 of melafix.
Water Paramaters- 80 degrees, Ammonia-0, Nitrites-0, nitrates-10, ph 7.8
Tank is 75g (I know he will eventually be too big but right now he is only 3")
I have been feeding only NLS cichlid formula.
Tankmates (all male and all about 3"-4")-
1- Eureka Red Jake
1- Super Red Empress
1- Taiwan Reef
1- Sunshine Peacock Benga Yellow
1- Flametail (Ngara)
1- Ahli Electric Blue
1- O. Lithobates Z. Rocks
1- Fireline Mloto
1- Ruby Red
1- Ruby Green
1- Yellow Lab
3- Unknown/Hybrid peacocks from LFS
1- M. Plagiostoma eel
Water Paramaters- 80 degrees, Ammonia-0, Nitrites-0, nitrates-10, ph 7.8
Tank is 75g (I know he will eventually be too big but right now he is only 3")
I have been feeding only NLS cichlid formula.
Tankmates (all male and all about 3"-4")-
1- Eureka Red Jake
1- Super Red Empress
1- Taiwan Reef
1- Sunshine Peacock Benga Yellow
1- Flametail (Ngara)
1- Ahli Electric Blue
1- O. Lithobates Z. Rocks
1- Fireline Mloto
1- Ruby Red
1- Ruby Green
1- Yellow Lab
3- Unknown/Hybrid peacocks from LFS
1- M. Plagiostoma eel
Will Hayward;2213980; said:
Any recommendations? I am still new to all this and I havent had to treat a sick fish yet. Also do you use detoxified tap water in a hospital tank or do you use water from the main tank?
Lupin gave you good suggestions to use in mild dosages. Or Aquarisol.
Use water from the main tank, and established media in the filter. No carbon.
Use water from the main tank, and established media in the filter. No carbon.
Will Hayward;2214058; said:
Haha, I guess I somehow missed that part of Lupin's post. Im out of it today. Wont the medicine just kill the bacteria in an established media on a hospital tank?
Medicine for parasites is not designed to kill bacteria specifically. Maybe some brands might have these affects but it is primarily an agent to attack, irritate and defend against parasitic entities. Since you don't know what specifically is causing the symptoms, then you may have to try several options.
It might not even be a parasite. Could be stress related or dietary. Like Lupin suggested, providing more details might help narrow the scope.
It might not even be a parasite. Could be stress related or dietary. Like Lupin suggested, providing more details might help narrow the scope.
Will Hayward;2214074; said:
I provided the details Lupin asked about a few posts ago. As far as diet I have been feeding NLS, I dont see how that would create a problem in Haps/Peacocks.