My female Parachromis friedrichsthallii "La Ceiba" (my avatar is a picture of the pair) stopped feeding 3-4 days ago and began producing white to transparent faeces a couple of days ago. She lives in a tank with her mate and a pleco, both of which are fine. The male La Ceiba is still eating like a pig and producing normal-looking waste. She does not appear visibly swollen, but she completely ignores all food, even when the male devours pellets right in front of her. I looked at this thread: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?523470-Treating-Hexamita-aka-Spironucleus and it seems that infusing food with magnesium sulphate is the only effective cure for this disease? What happens, then, when the fish does not feed at all? Also, I have no idea how she got infected, it is my first time in 8-9 years that I have had to deal with bloat/Hexamita/whatever it's called now. Will it spread to the male? I don't have a spare hospital tank or anything at the moment. I will greatly appreciate any input. Thanks for reading.
Hexamita infection (I think)
- Thread starter HerCrenVie
- Start date
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?523470-Treating-Hexamita-aka-Spironucleus
Take a look at this thread.
Take a look at this thread.
I have managed to feed a big one with crushed soaked in epsom pellets with a syringue. Main thing is to get someting into the gut of the fish.
Pick it up with the net, turn its mouth up and injects the pulp inside. Take care no to hurt its mouth
Pick it up with the net, turn its mouth up and injects the pulp inside. Take care no to hurt its mouth
That sounds like an interesting option. But won't the fish just spit the stuff out once it's back in the water? I remember trying to force-feed a fish before and it never worked.
No, just white stringy poop, clamped fins and lethargy. She spends most of her time sitting on the substrate, whereas the male swims around and begs for food and is feeding well.
This is them. A big concern I have is, will the infection spread from the female to the male? At the moment he seems perfectly healthy, with normal, chunky, brown poop and is feeding well on pellets.
I believe it may spread. Or he may already have it and the bug does not manifest itself because he is stronger, less stressed,
As to feeding, the important is that part of it stays inside, and some does.
As to feeding, the important is that part of it stays inside, and some does.
I'm not exactly sure what you are describing, unless you are referring to HITH sores that sometimes develop on a fishes head once the spironucleus protozoa have become systemic.
What the OP has described are classic symptoms of Spironucleus vortens, often referred to as Hexamita.
You can do as Miguel suggested & force feed the 3% epsom salt solution, or you can treat the entire tank with Metronidazole, or CLOUT if that is available where you live. Either way at this point both fish should be treated as the protozoa are spread via the feces of the infected fish so your male has already been exposed. Keep the substrate & water extra clean.
Good luck.
If you can get your hands on epsom salts, which it sounds like you can - then I would suggest you start force feeding that female ASAP following the directions in the link previously posted. The following link shows/explains in detail how to properly force feed a fish.
http://www.mchportal.com/fishkeepin...eding-mainmenu-81/540-force-feeding-fish.html
If this is a case of spironucleus, it's not going to get better on its own & the longer you wait the worse things are going to become.
http://www.mchportal.com/fishkeepin...eding-mainmenu-81/540-force-feeding-fish.html
If this is a case of spironucleus, it's not going to get better on its own & the longer you wait the worse things are going to become.