Does white poop "always" mean internal parasites?

I've had this fish for over a year, in a tank in which nothing has been added for 6 months, and I noticed this poop coming out of her the other day. I would have no idea how this fish would get any internal parasites, as I haven't added anything, not even a plant in at least 6 months in a very established aquarium of 3 years. This fish eats a lot of dying plant leaves, snails, and algae, so I'm thinking can any of those things make fishes poop appear this color? Does having white, not stringy, but just white poop always mean internal parasites? As you can see, she's not lethargic/skinny, she is a very good size, especially for her age. There is absolutely no signs of discomfort, no flashing, itching, shaking, no physical behavior to sign that she's sick. I've attached a picture of the poop, and the fish for some further insight, thanks in advance!

 

Nope! This can be perfectly normal, especially considering it's not stringy and it's from a livebearer that typically grazes on random material.

 

Nope! This can be perfectly normal, especially considering it's not stringy and it's from a livebearer that typically grazes on random material.

That's exactly what I was thinking! If you look up the exact tittle of this form, all that comes up is that it means internal parasites and nothing otherwise. Yesterday, I saw her eat an entire dying foot long stem, ripping it apart, that's what I was thinking it could be.

 

Sometimes it can just mean they have an upset stomach. If a fish has white poop and no other symptoms, I personally feel that there's no reason for concern. It's white stringy poop combined with other symptoms that indicates internal parasites.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking! If you look up the exact tittle of this form, all that comes up is that it means internal parasites and nothing otherwise. Yesterday, I saw her eat an entire dying foot long stem, ripping it apart, that's what I was thinking it could be.

I agree - dying stems often turn white, and I would bet you that's what this is from. Nothing to be concerned about!

You're the second person I've met on here who's also from Maine! I recently moved to PA but I still consider Maine my home.

 

Sometimes it can just mean they have an upset stomach. If a fish has white poop and no other symptoms, I personally feel that there's no reason for concern. It's white stringy poop combined with other symptoms that indicates internal parasites.

It was a very large poop, by the time she was done it was over twice the length of the one in the attached image, maybe just some constipation or she ate too much? I notice Platty's/Swordtails can literally eat themselves to death if you aren't careful. By the looks of her, she could lose a few pounds; er, grams lol.

I agree - dying stems often turn white, and I would bet you that's what this is from. Nothing to be concerned about!

You're the second person I've met on here who's also from Maine! I recently moved to PA but I still consider Maine my home.

Maine is a very pretty state, but it's the worst for fish and legality! Would not recommend, I think I've met the other person on here from Maine, small world

 

Maine is a very pretty state, but it's the worst for fish and legality! Would not recommend, I think I've met the other person on here from Maine, small world

I never had a problem with my small tropicals, though the LFSs are sporadic and not too varied in their stock.

 

Livebearers eat some really random stuff... from eating algae on filters and anything they can find food. Just because you haven't introduced anything new shouldn't clear out the thought that parasites can be prevented... although it is highly unlikely. If the poop isn't stringy, then your fish should be fine. Probably ate something that's not normal and has to deal with a bad stomach haha.

 

I never had a problem with my small tropicals, though the LFSs are sporadic and not too varied in their stock.

I did some research on it and asked Easy Aquariums in Gorham if you've ever been there, and if anything tropical is newly discovered, they immediately make it illegal. One huge example of that would be the Sterbai Corydora, it's 100% illegal just because it was newly discovered within the decade, same goes for a lot of Plecos. Also, all invertabrates are illegal, shrimp, snails, frogs, crabs, everything. BUT, I can order them online and have them shipped to my state and it's totally legal. And all of these are also only illegal to SELL, not own, so if a fish store gives you it for free, it's completely legal, so they could charge you extra for a legal fish and give you the illegal on for free. There also trying to make the Pearl Danio illegal, something that has been in the hobby for decades, but no other Danio. If you live close to New Hampshire, you can always just go there, where everything is 100% legal! lol

Livebearers eat some really random stuff... from eating algae on filters and anything they can find food. Just because you haven't introduced anything new shouldn't clear out the thought that parasites can be prevented... although it is highly unlikely. If the poop isn't stringy, then your fish should be fine. Probably ate something that's not normal and has to deal with a bad stomach haha.

The poop is totally solid, not one stringy piece was attached at all, which is why I was pretty confident in the first place it was nothing, along with zero other symptoms. Better safe than sorry, but I still will keep a close eye on her. And as I said I saw her eat a dying white foot long stem yesterday, so I'd conclude that's what it may be, but you never know in this hobby!

 

I did some research on it and asked Easy Aquariums in Gorham if you've ever been there, and if anything tropical is newly discovered, they immediately make it illegal. One huge example of that would be the Sterbai Corydora, it's 100% illegal just because it was newly discovered within the decade, same goes for a lot of Plecos. Also, all invertabrates are illegal, shrimp, snails, frogs, crabs, everything. BUT, I can order them online and have them shipped to my state and it's totally legal. And all of these are also only illegal to SELL, not own, so if a fish store gives you it for free, it's completely legal, so they could charge you extra for a legal fish and give you the illegal on for free. There also trying to make the Pearl Danio illegal, something that has been in the hobby for decades, but no other Danio. If you live close to New Hampshire, you can always just go there, where everything is 100% legal! lol

Yes, I've been there! I really like their store. I've never purchased from them, but I like their heated/filtered betta wall. When I pointed out a sick betta to an employee (manager maybe?) she put him into one of her empty blackwater tanks. I offer to bring sick bettas home every now and then, but she said she would never let a sick fish out the door. Awesome business. I loved browsing their saltwater tanks (even though I do not have a saltwater tank).

As for a lot being illegal to sell - I'd never heard of that and I'm surprised to hear it. The Petcos and Petsmarts in the state sell amanos and African dwarf frogs and mystery snails, so I definitely wouldn't have even thought about it. Strange!

 

Yes, I've been there! I really like their store. I've never purchased from them, but I like their heated/filtered betta wall. When I pointed out a sick betta to an employee (manager maybe?) she put him into one of her empty blackwater tanks. I offer to bring sick bettas home every now and then, but she said she would never let a sick fish out the door. Awesome business. I loved browsing their saltwater tanks (even though I do not have a saltwater tank).

As for a lot being illegal to sell - I'd never heard of that and I'm surprised to hear it. The Petcos and Petsmarts in the state sell amanos and African dwarf frogs and mystery snails, so I definitely wouldn't have even thought about it. Strange!

Yeah, that must have been quite some time ago. I've been to every Petco in Maine, I think. I actually just talked to the head aquatics manager at the Portland Petco and all sku's for any snails, shrimps, frogs or anything of the nature are confirmed to be banned until further notice . To be safe, if they get any pest snails they smash them with a hammer.

 

Yeah, that must have been quite some time ago. I've been to every Petco in Maine, I think. I actually just talked to the head aquatics manager at the Portland Petco and all sku's for any snails, shrimps, frogs or anything of the nature are confirmed to be banned until further notice . To be safe, if they get any pest snails they smash them with a hammer.

Huh! I used to frequent the Petsmart in Biddeford and I feel like I definitely regularly saw inverts there, would have been as recently as a year and a half ago. Maybe I'm mistaken though.

 

UPDATE:
Caught her pooping again today, looks completely normal to me

 

Out of curiosity, what is she? She looks like a swordtail, but do you know the name of her coloration? Such a beautiful fish, and a pattern I've never seen on a livebearer before!

 

Thank you! I believe she was labeled a Koi Swordtail, female of course. I also have a Koi Platty for reference, found them both at Petco's. People like to rag on Petco a lot, but you can snipe some pretty awesome lookin' fish, sometimes!