icky cichlid

[floridaskunkape]

My friend has a 55 gal tank with a whopping big cichlid (it must be a foot long), he is the only fish in the tank. The tank was good for a long time until she started getting little tiny worms, tons of them. Some of them are bigger now and look like planarian. He fish is starting to look stressed, some white growing on his lip and some scales missing.

Is it the worms causing the fish to be sick? Is there something i can add to the water so they don't come back? (so she doesn't have to try to get them out of all the gravel)
Thank you!

[cam191919]

it sounds like the fish is way too big for the tank, thats probably stressing it out. does your friend do water changes?

[Pittbull]

water change water change water change..

[efors]

water change water change water change..

... and reduce the amount of food that is given to the fish or don't let uneaten food to stay in the tank.
This 2 steps plan is the best way to get rid of those worms.
I would do daily water changes until you don't see worms climbing through the tank's glass walls. Also, vacuum the substrate well frequently, to take out the debris where the worms are living.

[AfroCichlid]

Check with your friend regarding water changes. how often has she done them? What's the current pH? If they haven't been regular there's a good chance the pH has dropped below 6.4 and this can wreak havoc if a partial water change is performed. If they have been regular ( at least once a month ), then start slow ( 20-30% ) and increase frequency to every other day. If it's been more than a few months and the pH is below 6.4 she's better off doing a complete water change and hope the fish survives the ensuing cycle. Tanks that don't receive regular water changes atrophy over time, with beneficial bacteria becoming inactive as the pH slowly drops below 6.4. Ammonia converts to ammonium. After a partial water change the pH will rise, converting the ammonium back into ammonia. This can kill a fish already suffering from disease.

[austinpetemo]

interested in what kind of fish it is..........

and i agree, water changes are the best cure in most cases.

[snoopy65]

The planaria is not causing the fish to be sick, but poor water quality is the cause of the worms. As stated before, less food, more water changes will get rid of the worms. Better water quality from the water changes will help the fish. If the fish has another disease or parasite, it will need to be treated as a separate issue, but one step at a time.

[Pittbull]

Afrocichlid wrote:
After a partial water change the pH will rise, converting the ammonium back into ammonia. This can kill a fish already suffering from disease.

Almost instantly.. go slowly great advice here guys..

[AfroCichlid]

I posted that because it's often overlooked when it comes time to do those emergency changes. All the tank params should be checked first, then a plan of action. Here is an example of why having a QT tank cycled and ready to go is always a good idea.

[floridaskunkape]

Thank you everybody SO MUCH I will pass along all of this information, offer my services to do so, and help make the big fish happy. great advice.

[Pittbull]

Cool, update us on what happens..

[floridaskunkape]

i'd love to updat'cha