parasite? bacteria?

[calla]

Today I noticed one of my female swordtails was kind of hiding behind a plant not being very active.... and after looking at her closer I saw her long stringy white poop. I've been looking for info on this, and it seems like it's either a parasite or bacteria? I have never seen this before so I don't know what to do about it... she seems to be fading quickly though... not swimming around at all. I don't understand where it could have come from, these fish are not new, and I haven't added any new fish lately.

Help :(

[calla]

well everyone made it through the night... and seem ok. Haven't seen the white/stringy feces.... and she is swimming around again (mostly because the horny male won't leave her alone though)...

I did a 50% water change, added some salt, and raised the temp a little bit ( I had it at 76)

any suggestions???

[cocoa_pleco]

can you get some anti-parasite food for her? its a internal parasite

[calla]

I don't have very good stores around here.. but I am going today after work to look for some of that food, pepto or something right? But, should I use meds also? Every fish in the tank has been exposed to it then right?

how do fish get this?

[Lady Hobbs]

White springy poop is a sign of internal worms. Medicated food may help with this.

[Dave66]

Take a garlic clove, smash with the flat of a knife. Crush one clove with the knife flat or a garlic grater. Mix the puree with the food.
Feed this mix to your fish for four to six weeks, 'til the poo is normal.
The worms can't metabolize the garlic, and slowly starve, and fish find the garlic tasty. Throughout the garlic must be fresh.

Dave

[calla]

gggrr petco sucks!! they didn't have that food.... and the only other fish store in town is like a 9-4 home owned place so they were already closed.

thanks for the info on the garlic dave, definitely didn't know that one.... question, will this alone be enough? should I mix it with their regular food, or the medicine food?

and, why/where did they get an internal parasite?

[calla]

well no place in my crappy town has medicated food... BUT i did find this stuff, by seachems, calleg garlic guard. It's just garlic extract, that you add to foods or medicated food. It says to entice finiky eaters.. but the guy said it will work for the parasites. Hoping so. Going grocery shopping tonight, so I'll pick up some real garlic as well..

ordered the med. food but it doesn't come in till wed......