Sick Convict Pls HELP Fast!!!!!

mostlycichlids

mostlycichlids

Cichlid Specialist
Apr 27, 2006
2,664
3
38
New Mexico USA
www.freshwatermadness.com
Real Name
Paul
As you may already know Ive had 2 firemouths die in the last month and now one of my convicts is sick. This is an established tank ph is 7.4 temp is 77 and weekly 50% water changes are done.

Now the fish is breathing fast with gill movements of 70 plus times a minute and no appitite. It has white stringy poop this is day two of this behavior. I was hoping to get a diognositc of what it could be. I dont want to put any unnecessary meds or chemicals in and risk destroying my good bacteria.

I posted this thread a couple days ago and she seemed ok then.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91106

What actions should I take My qt tank broke before the summer so I dont have one should I remove it and treat it whatshould I do I need help fast so please let me know what you think. Oh I put a flash light on her while the room and tank was dark and did not notice anything else wrong. Oh today is my scheduled water change day, should I do a full teardown and clean or should I medicate first?
 
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The white stringy poop sounds like parasites. Have you added any new fish recently?

Blue
 
Just the firemouth a month ago that died it turned dark and was breathing hard stopped eating and was swimming into things. I did a complete clean after it died then two weeks later the same thing happened to my adult firemouth, I did another 75% water change and a full clean now two week again my convict is sick. I am very concerned with the breathing is that a symptom of parasites? Now you have the whole scoop.
 
stress is a sign of infection could be bacterial or parasitic. fast breathing is also a stress sign.
white stringy poo is also a sign of either but may rule out constipation.

as is not eating.
camillanus worm is SOMETIMES visible red filaments protruding from vent area. capillaria is NOT visible without a microscope.
if you are critical about maintenance I tend to lean towards parasite..
I am guessing you did not quarantine the firemouth?
mute at this point in time
I would personally treat for parasite..have you noticed if the stomach area is bulging?
whenever my angels or discus act this way I treat with prazi,metro and levamisole hcl.
panacur (fenbenzadole??)is also available and effective.
I have never experienced any issues with my bio filter when I treat for parasites. you do need to be diligent with them and retreat the tank.
when treating for parasites treat the main tank.
one problem I have found recently is cichlids with parasites..it is not entirely uncommon as some fish are still wild caught. introduced to a lfs filtration system and bingo..fish with parasites.
parasites are actually fairly common and many fish probably carry them..but may not exhibit signs as healthy fish can keep them in check..stress weakens the fishies ability to keep them in check and the parasite may gain the upper hand,.(folks hate this statement) :rolleyes:
 
Thanks for your input we are in the middle of a blizzard and the nearest LFS is an hour away. We have 22inches on the ground with 12-24 more to come so chances are I will not be going anywhere for a couple of days. I bought some fizz tabs from Walmart I think parasite clear or something and am treating with that for now. I did a 50% water change today before adding the parasite clear. The Convict is moving around a little more now but still breathing hard and looking sick. I do feel better now that I got some kind of treatment started.

I am hoping it is just parasites and not capillaria I will let yall know oh the stomach area does not seem to be bulging.
 
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