internal parasites how to treat when fish is not eating

A

Anna0123

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Aug 13, 2015
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Hello,
I have 55 gal established (1 y) aquarium with 4 angelfish, 1 elephant nose and some julii corys. There is no water problems, doubled sized filtration, water change weekly, no signs of amonia. fish are fed variety of diet and eating well, very active.

about two weeks ago I noticed that one of my adult angelfish is not as active and spits out the food. then I noticed white/clear feces. after lot of research I started treating all fish with seachem metroplex (soaked in medication, combined with focus and garlic-which I use on regular basis). I'm not sure what my fish has - wasting disease, hexamita, spironucleus or something else. There are no obvious signs other that thinning.
because this one angel did not respond at all to medicated food after few days I gave him salt bath - with minimal effect.
About week ago I started daily metroplex baths. (1 lvl measure for 3 gal up to 12 hours, heavy aeration)
There is significant improvement - fish is active and attacks food; however, is not able to swallow. holds it in mouth and then spits it out.

I wonder if any of you have similar experience. What did you treat your fish with and how. Any success?
I know there is other medication available but not many that is absorbed through fish's body.
I continue treating other fish as a precaution.
 
Start dosing with Prazipro and Metro with the immersion method. If no improvement after 10 days following treatment, I would try fenbendazole. If fish do start feeding switch to medicated food. Also limit dosing of metro to no more than 3 treatments due to toxicity concerns. Please note your Elephant Nose is sensitive to medications, best to move to another tank before meds. To be honest, I am not a 100% sure about prazi or fenbendazole but metro should be ok. You could contact a vet to know for sure. They are very sensitive to cooper, malachite green, etc Good luck
 
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Before you go nuts- fish don't get intestinal parasites out of the air.
If this fish is established member of your tank that just suddenly stopped eating out of no where- in a 55 that's stocked with 5 fish + a couple coreys that gets weekly water changes and no new livestock was introduced, stop treating. It is not an intestinal parasite- not no way not no how.

Just like most human diseases that cause people to waste away, like cancer, congestive heart failure, etc, not everything can not be cured by antibiotics or anti-parasitics. Fish also face a myriad of pathologies. Your cure (or those that are being pressed upon you) may be worse than the disease. I know you want to help him, but by giving him good water quality, plenty of space and weekly water changes, you've done a great job. Keep the water warm (not a problem this time of year) and be ready with some clove oil if he doesn't turn around.

If you did introduce new livestock, its possible you have internal parasites, but if he won't swallow, medicated food is pointless. Get your hands on some levamisole, its not easy to find, you'll have to look on the forums, you won't find it in a pet shop, but it works wonders and its gentle, although I have to say you'd be doing it more for the other fish than this guy. Usually once there's noticable weight loss and they stop eating, its time.

Im sorry that I don't sound to upbeat or pro-active, but I've been doing this for 30 years, I've flushed hundreds of dollars and mangled many a tank with meds that do more harm than good. My best advice is to be informed, but also be ready to euthanize him humanely (with clove oil- not vodka, not the freezer) if its time.
 
Turbosaurus said:
Before you go nuts- fish don't get intestinal parasites out of the air.
If this fish is established member of your tank that just suddenly stopped eating out of no where- in a 55 that's stocked with 5 fish + a couple coreys that gets weekly water changes and no new livestock was introduced, stop treating. It is not an intestinal parasite- not no way not no how.

Just like most human diseases that cause people to waste away, like cancer, congestive heart failure, etc, not everything can not be cured by antibiotics or anti-parasitics. Fish also face a myriad of pathologies. Your cure (or those that are being pressed upon you) may be worse than the disease. I know you want to help him, but by giving him good water quality, plenty of space and weekly water changes, you've done a great job. Keep the water warm (not a problem this time of year) and be ready with some clove oil if he doesn't turn around.

If you did introduce new livestock, its possible you have internal parasites, but if he won't swallow, medicated food is pointless. Get your hands on some levamisole, its not easy to find, you'll have to look on the forums, you won't find it in a pet shop, but it works wonders and its gentle, although I have to say you'd be doing it more for the other fish than this guy. Usually once there's noticable weight loss and they stop eating, its time.

Im sorry that I don't sound to upbeat or pro-active, but I've been doing this for 30 years, I've flushed hundreds of dollars and mangled many a tank with meds that do more harm than good. My best advice is to be informed, but also be ready to euthanize him humanely (with clove oil- not vodka, not the freezer) if its time.
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Fish can live with internal parasites for years, in fact most fish do..... Wasting Disease is known to be caused by a few internal parasites and can come on over a period of months to years. Feel free to refer to Dr Edward Nogas book on fish disease for further info on Wasting Disease...Corydoras are known carriers internal parasites, unless you are purchasing your fish from local breeders...
 
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From the little I was able to gather, "wasting disease" is a catch all for any unexplained refusal to eat without an actual diagnosis. Its a symptom description, not a diagnosis.

But for the sake of argument, these are an intestinal parasite that the fish's immune system effectively controlled for months years etc... Why would a fish suddenly succumb to an existing parasite that it has lived with without harm for months or years? And what is the solution Dr. Nogas recommends?
 
Turbosaurus said:
From the little I was able to gather, "wasting disease" is a catch all for any unexplained refusal to eat without an actual diagnosis. Its a symptom description, not a diagnosis.

But for the sake of argument, these are an intestinal parasite that the fish's immune system effectively controlled for months years etc... Why would a fish suddenly succumb to an existing parasite that it has lived with without harm for months or years? And what is the solution Dr. Nogas recommends?
Click to expand...

Various parasites, bacteria and mycobacteria are known to cause Wasting. Treatment would depend on that
 
With true Wasting disease, fish have normal feeding habits but end up very skinny.
 
Thank you so much for your replies.
I moved elephant nose to hospital tank and let him hang out there for time of main tank treatment.
This is third day of treating my fish with API general cure and Mardel Maracyn Plus. Huge difference. Sick angel eats and swallows :) no feces though (lol, I never ever in my life thought I'll be concern whether fish poops or not)
 
I'm so glad he's eating again, that's wonderful news! What encouraged you to change the treatment regime?
 
Update:
I lost 4 fish including the angelfish (as well as it's mate)
During main tank treatment with API General Cure and Mardel Maracyn Plus all angelfish developed red streaks on body and fins,. after research treated for Hemorrhagic Septicemia with tetracycline.
:(
 
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