Long Stringy White Feces

[KarlTh]

Mollies and swordtails are both high TDS fish, but mollies moreso. The lower specific gravity more mimics the high TDS of the swordtails freshwater environment (we're hung up on salt or fresh, but for fish it doesn't matter so much what the dissolved ions are; to them very hard water is much the same as soft water with a very small amount of sodium chloride in many respects), whereas the higher specific gravity more mimics the estuarine conditions in which mollies are often found.

As regards molly diet, the fact that they are largely herbivorous in the wild means that a diet high in plant material is what their digestive tracts and enzymes have evolved to cope with. It's common sense that feeding them a high protein animal based diet is not good in the long term, just as it isn't with Aufwuchs feeding Malawians (who get bloat if fed too much protein). Flakes designed for herbivorous fish are available; in an ideal world a spirulina based flake with a low protein content (no more than say 25%) would be the best for them. Some so-called "algae wafers" appear to be no more than tetramin with enough green stuff in them to look like algae. The analysis and ingredients lists are not encouraging. For economy, a lot of koi and goldfish foods seem to be plant based and low in protein.

 

[inkyjenn]

if it does turn out to be parasitic, prazipro is quite a good med

 

[Star_Rider]

jungle parasite clear is designed as a bath..the meds include prazi and metro. (unless they have changed) it fizzes so I would not use it in food. but as directed.

btw, white poo is an indicator(Sx) of several possible issues including parasites but it may be diet related or possibly bacterial..

I would try increasing the veggies in their diet first tho.

 

[Aito]

Hm, can't seem to find any algae/spirulina flakes around here. I can only find seaweed based food for saltwater fish. Are there any certain brands that I should look for that are known to have vegetable flakes? Or should I just stick with algae wafers? The molly still has the same poop symptoms but is otherwise swimming about happily and her health doesn't seem to have declined any - which is a good sign for now.

 

[robbob2112]

These two are my primary staple... both carried by the local petsmart... hard to find them at petco or the LFS though...

If you can't find either... to get a zuchini at the grocery... cut it into strips lengthwise about 1/2 inch thick... then boil it in water for about a minute to soften it and hang it from a veggie clip in the tank. I do this as an occasional treat and they go nuts for it.

For the seaweed I cut it lengthwise into 4 strips, then feed them 2 strips a day in veggie clips... I have found if you fold that 1/4 strip in half twice it makes a nice short little stack and when they tear into it most ends up eaten instead of floating all over the tank... just hanging the strip or a full sheet and 90% of it ends up floating all around.

 

[DrNo]

Always good to avoid needless med treatment when possible. Since these are new stock however, IMO:

probability of parasitic or bacterial disease > probability of diet related causes

I would be prepared to treat ASAP if the vegetarian diet change doesn't eliminate the stringy feces very soon.... I'd hate to see this spread.

 

[Aito]

I went to a lfs a bit out of my way yesterday and found some TetraAlgae and TetraVeggie. The molly's feces is already noticeably darker green, however it's still quite long (up to 2" long). I know it will take some time, but I'm not sure as to when I can consider it normal. I know the symptoms for internal parasites/ bacterial infection are white long stringy feces. So let's say the white is eliminated, but the feces is still long or stringy, should I still be concerned? Also, how long should I wait to see if their symptoms get better before I try to medicate the tank?

 

[robbob2112]

I'd give it a few days to a week... if the only symptom is long poop following the fish and the fish are otherwise healthy I would be reluctant to medicate. My mollies occasionally have a long trail, doesn't seem to affect them in the slightest.

Note when I say occasional I mean of the dozen adults in the tank 1~2 have a trail for a little while, then it breaks off within a few minutes. Not all of them at once, and not the same repeatedly... basically just normal pooping for fish.

If they have an internal parasite you will also notice considerable bloat in addition to the long stringy white poop.

What I am trying to say is I bet your fish are normal and just were not getting the fiber and greens their digestive systems evolved to and needed. Now that they are they will be happier and healthier.

 

[robbob2112]

How are the Mollies doing?