What do you think this ram has ?

[Emg]

Question concerning the health of my blue ram

Here's a pic of one of my female rams. She has been not well for awhile, I have her in a tank by herself.

She appears to have these two red threads coming from her vent...at first I thought maybe it was something she ate and she was having trouble passing it, but now I am wondering about parasites...I have been feeding her live black worms and dwarf cichlid grains.

Any ideas on what this could be and how to treat it. If it's a parasite the only thing on hand I have is ich medication...would that help or does she need something in her food ? I'm really afraid she may be too far gone, seeing as how sensitive rams generally are..but I'd like to give something a try.

Thanks for the replys !

 

[A7ESF]

Not sure if this is it, but hope it helps...

Nematodes - Camallanus species infect the gastrointestinal tract of cichlids, live-bearers (including guppies and swordtails), and other species of freshwater fish. Usually, the first evidence of infection is a red, worm-like animal protruding from the anus of a fish.

Camallanus species have indirect life cycles and are live-bearing nematodes. They are considered "ovoviviparous" ("ovo" is the scientific term for "egg" and "viviparous" means live-bearing), as females incubate the eggs which hatch into larvae within their bodies ( Figure 13 ). These larvae are excreted into the water with the fish's feces and are ingested by a copepod or other crustacean. Within the copepod, the larvae develop further into a third-stage larvae. After the copepod, containing the third-stage larvae, is eaten by the appropriate fish host, the larvae migrate out into the fish, develop into reproductive adults, and the life cycle is complete.

Diagnosis
Camallanus species can be identified by their red color; their location further toward the posterior of the intestinal tract than other worm-like parasites (typically very near, and often protruding from, the anus of the fish); the presence of a buccal capsule (mouth structure) that is divided into two lateral valves, giving the mouth a slit like appearance; and, if gravid females are present, the presence of both eggs and larvae within their bodies. Positive identification will require the assistance of an expert.

Treatment
Because Camallanus nematodes are located within the intestinal tract, common dewormers should be effective.

Prevention
As a copepod or other crustacean host is required to complete the life cycle, avoiding the use of copepods or related crustaceans as food items will help reduce potential for infection. Evaluation of brood stock for the presence of parasites prior to use will also aid in identifying carriers.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FA091

 

[Emg]

Sure sounds like what she has... I don't have any crustaceans but she is a reletively new fish..had her for about 3 or 4 weeks now. Jeesh, I hope I can get to the fish store today and pick up some medicated food for her...poor thing.

I wonder if I have to worry about these things effecting any other fish in the community she was in...since I don't have any shrimp or other crustaceans I wouldn't think so...hhmmm..

Thanks for the info A7...it was a great help !