Stringy Poop... Parasite Or...?

So this little guy (girl?) Is in QT right now, and I just got him at the end of last month. I noticed that his poop was stringy a few days ago, and I recall hearing that stringy white poop meant meant internal parasites. My rams poop is brown though, so I'm wondering if it could be something else's?

Is it a parasite? Could it just be constipation from the food change? He was on flakes and frozen bloodworms away the lfs, and now he's on pellets and bloodworms.

Pic is bad, but the poop is definitely dark.

 

In your case, it sounds like constipation. If it were white, it would be internal parasites. But your fish’s poop is brown so it’s fine.

 

People take different QT approaches but I always do prophylactic parasite treatments while they're in there. You never know what's inside and parasites can exist for years before you realize it. I'd at least consider it, especially if you already suspect they might be present.

 

Is it stringy clearish white poop or long stringy brown poop. (Sorry I got confused about what fish you were talking about in the opening post)

 

I have a DG that I just purchased in a similar situation in QT (purchased 4 days ago & has stringy brown poop). Contributing factors could be stress from all the moving and changes in food. But the longer the symptoms persist the less likely that is. From what I have found online (I am no expert, this is just what I have found so far), his body condition, fins, breathing, overall appearance (coloration, gills, sores, odd spots, odd looking scales or inflamed areas), appetite and activity level are all fine so I am not taking any actions currently just continuing to monitor to see if any new "symptoms" arise or the situation resolves itself.

While I see where JenC is coming from I am more cautious with medicating personally and try to diagnose with decent confidence/suspicion before taking action however there are times when preventative treatments can pay off.

I would strongly doubt that the food is the issue as your fish has been with you for a couple weeks now. Do you notice any other physical or behavioral things that are off?

• Since nearly every parasite can be spotted, make sure to take a good look at your aquatic friends every day. Check for visible parasites such as worms, leeches, or flukes on the fish’s body. Fighting the parasite before it develops can prevent the outbreak of a tropical fish disease.
• Look to see if your fish has cloudy eyes, white patches or is gasping for air, rubbing on objects and is listless. Fish lice could cause these symptoms.
• Internal parasites will cause loss of appetite, listlessness and erratic swimming.
• Note redness, irritation and/or threadlike worms coming from the fish’s tail area. If accompanied by bloating, these symptoms indicate a nematode infestation, also known as roundworm. Nematodes live in the intestines and should be treated carefully.
• Look for any unusual small white or gold speckles resembling powder on the fish.
• Watch the fish swim, to make sure it doesn’t look unstable or its fins seem clamped (folded back) to their body.

Here is one of the lists that I am using so I know what to look for on my DG

 

I'm hoping this is the case, rather than the parasites.

In your case, it sounds like constipation. If it were white, it would be internal parasites. But your fish’s poop is brown so it’s fine.

If it's parasites, how can I be sure? Just more monitoring?

Is it stringy clearish white poop or long stringy brown poop. (Sorry I got confused about what fish you were talking about in the opening post)

Long stringy brown poop

I have a DG that I just purchased in a similar situation in QT (purchased 4 days ago & has stringy brown poop). Contributing factors could be stress from all the moving and changes in food. But the longer the symptoms persist the less likely that is. From what I have found online (I am no expert, this is just what I have found so far), his body condition, fins, breathing, overall appearance (coloration, gills, sores, odd spots, odd looking scales or inflamed areas), appetite and activity level are all fine so I am not taking any actions currently just continuing to monitor to see if any new "symptoms" arise or the situation resolves itself.

While I see where JenC is coming from I am more cautious with medicating personally and try to diagnose with decent confidence/suspicion before taking action however there are times when preventative treatments can pay off.

I would strongly doubt that the food is the issue as your fish has been with you for a couple weeks now. Do you notice any other physical or behavioral things that are off?

Not really. He's very shy, but he's not clamping his fins and his breathing is normal. Sometimes it's very hard to get a good look at him though.

• Since nearly every parasite can be spotted, make sure to take a good look at your aquatic friends every day. Check for visible parasites such as worms, leeches, or flukes on the fish’s body. Fighting the parasite before it develops can prevent the outbreak of a tropical fish disease.
• Look to see if your fish has cloudy eyes, white patches or is gasping for air, rubbing on objects and is listless. Fish lice could cause these symptoms.
• Internal parasites will cause loss of appetite, listlessness and erratic swimming.
• Note redness, irritation and/or threadlike worms coming from the fish’s tail area. If accompanied by bloating, these symptoms indicate a nematode infestation, also known as roundworm. Nematodes live in the intestines and should be treated carefully.
• Look for any unusual small white or gold speckles resembling powder on the fish.
• Watch the fish swim, to make sure it doesn’t look unstable or its fins seem clamped (folded back) to their body.

Here is one of the lists that I am using so I know what to look for on my DG

This is a great list, thank you very much!

 

Long stringy brown poop

That has happened to mine when overfed. I have had internal parasites. The poop is clear and stringy because the parasite ingest the nutritious matter, all the fish have to expel is ... well, ...this clear ooze.