Get NLS hex shield pellets ( which has lots of garlic, metro, and epsom salt), and follow the directions for feeding. If that doesn't work, then try prazipro. Finally, if that doesn't work he might have callamanus which requires levamisole as the treatment.
Skinny GT
- Thread starter PassengerTN
- Start date
OK, so we have the telltale stringy white poop--plain as day in the pic even. Strong indicator of "parasites". So, what kind? Protozoan, bacterial, worms, or flukes? I think the most likely "parasite" causing this is protozoan or worms.
We prolly don't have the equipment, skill, and knowledge to take a stool sample and identify the "parasite" under a microscope, so we take a guess. Of the 2 -- protozoan or worms -- possibilities, one choice has an easy, cheap, and non-toxic treatment. That's Hex.
Hex is very common, and treated with epsom salt, which is non-toxic to the fish. So, before treating for worms, I'd try the Hex treatment and see if the fish stops the stringy white poop. If it does, we can be almost certain that it was Hex because it responded to our treatment.
RD wrote a sticky in the diseases forum that tells exactly how to treat with epsom salt for Hex. I've done it myself and it worked for my fish in 3 days.
I'd isolate the fish in the tank with a divider. Makes it easier to see that he's eating medicated food. Easier to net him if you have to get serious and shoot the solution down his throat. Easier to watch his poops if he's isolated, too.
I have a 75g waiting to be set up for the GT's, separation is coming but is still at least a month away as I'm preparing to move. I'll be soaking some pellets here in just a moment and try to spot feed them to him. Thanks for all the information. I'll keep the thread updated as I move forward with him. Thank you every one for sharing your knowledge and giving input
You don't need another tank. Get a $5 piece of eggcrate from Home Depot and cut it so fish can't get around it when you put it in your tank. "Eggcrate" is that white plastic stuff in the flourescent lights section.
Fish with Hex will eventually quit eating entirely. so you want to make VERY sure that the fish is eating the soaked pellets--you need to see it happen every day. Make sure you soak pellets in Epsom salt solution mixed to the proper concentration.
Fish with Hex will eventually quit eating entirely. so you want to make VERY sure that the fish is eating the soaked pellets--you need to see it happen every day. Make sure you soak pellets in Epsom salt solution mixed to the proper concentration.
I already have plans for the GT to be in the 75, already have the tank just no space to set it up in this temporary apartment. I have a divider but I really don't think I need it, there is almost zero aggression between him and the JD, unless the GT is directly in front of the JD as he lays still, and then he only chases him away. I keep a watchful eye, as I'm a stay at home dad and the tank is in my living room.
As for the Epsom soaked pellets, I followed RD's directions of 1tbsp (15g) Epsom dissolved into 500mL of water and fed. I watched him eat them (and swallow) without any fuss. I believe I will do this 2x a day for the next 5 days unless you recommend not too?
As for the Epsom soaked pellets, I followed RD's directions of 1tbsp (15g) Epsom dissolved into 500mL of water and fed. I watched him eat them (and swallow) without any fuss. I believe I will do this 2x a day for the next 5 days unless you recommend not too?
he's gorgeous!
well me personally, and my own opinion, don't put him in a tank he'll outgrow,
I found from personal experience the bigger the tank and all mine (texas, gt, jd)are 8,9in roundabout,the jd is 9,other are 8
also having a pair, I find makes them more colourful etc
but not essential
I give mine cichlid pellets, flake, bw and bs and occasionally live food
I did do this twice a day, flake in morning rest at night with pellets as a snack
but I upped it to 3 times and give more pellets too
good luck with your gt
I like gts a lot
yea! twice a day with epsom soaked pellets is awesome. The more the better. If it's Hex ( I think it prolly is), Hex is a Protozoa (remember your Microbiology) that lives in the fish's gut. The Protozoa cause the fish to shed the lining of the intestine--that's what the stringy white poop is. Follow RD's instruction TO THE LETTER, it'll clear up.
Oh, and Hex comes back sometimes. I had a Carpintis that had it, quit eating. I cured him, he started eating real well, and then he got it again a couple months later. Cured him again, and then he got real picky about what he would and wouldn't eat--wouldn't eat anything but dried krill. So, he had to go.
I've "heard" some rumbling about Hex causing Hole in the Head disease, but I don't know about all that. But, read about it so you'll know what to look for later on your fish. I think Hex causes HITH, or makes it worse, or makes the fish susceptible to it, something like that.
Oh, and Hex comes back sometimes. I had a Carpintis that had it, quit eating. I cured him, he started eating real well, and then he got it again a couple months later. Cured him again, and then he got real picky about what he would and wouldn't eat--wouldn't eat anything but dried krill. So, he had to go.
I've "heard" some rumbling about Hex causing Hole in the Head disease, but I don't know about all that. But, read about it so you'll know what to look for later on your fish. I think Hex causes HITH, or makes it worse, or makes the fish susceptible to it, something like that.
Just fed round 2 of soaked pellets today. No harm if the other two fish get the soaked pellets as well, right?
As far as hex with HITH, I was really wanting an Oscar years ago and ton a lot of researching, I'm fairly familiar with the signs of it. I'm a stickler for water quality as well so that works out in my (their?) favor.
As far as hex with HITH, I was really wanting an Oscar years ago and ton a lot of researching, I'm fairly familiar with the signs of it. I'm a stickler for water quality as well so that works out in my (their?) favor.
Yeah, the HITH thing is very confusing to me. Just when I think water quality is the cause, I read something about Hex getting out of the gut and into other parts of the fish causing HITH. I don't know.
I don't see any problem with other fish getting the soaked pellets. It's Epsom salt, only bad for the Hex bug. That's the beauty of this. Metronidazole is the other treatment for Hex, but it causes liver damage to the fish over time, bugs COULD become resistant to it, so you wanna give that as little as possible. Epsom salt doesn't have those problems.
I don't see any problem with other fish getting the soaked pellets. It's Epsom salt, only bad for the Hex bug. That's the beauty of this. Metronidazole is the other treatment for Hex, but it causes liver damage to the fish over time, bugs COULD become resistant to it, so you wanna give that as little as possible. Epsom salt doesn't have those problems.
Yeah I don't use actual meds unless absolutely necessary. Dealt with a bout of columnaris in my African tank about two months ago. Hikari BiFuran+ and Seachem Kanaplex knocked it out in no time, just for future reference lol
