White string hanging off cobalt

Not really...just trying to figure out what this is..here goes...

What is this white string hanging off my cobalt?

I just fed them (cichlids) squash (yellow and green) and their pellet food. This is what I usually feed them
Is this a parasite or just poop? His belly looks full so I'm not sure...Thanks for your help!

 

Tapeworm?

 

Tapeworm?

I hope not....

 

How long as it been there?

 

How long as it been there?

Just noticed it right now.

 

Is it clear and stringy or solid white and kind of thick?

 

Is it clear and stringy or solid white and kind of thick?

Looks like a thread

 

Research internal flagellates

Hopefully someone with more experience can chime in.

 

How long have you had the fish?

Those cichlid pellets are high in protein. Cobalts are mbuna, which should have a low protein herbivorous diet only, otherwise they are susceptible to bloat. Given the circumstances the poop is probably indicative of the incorrect diet. And the fish is quite fat....

It could be Capillaria, but my guess is the diet.


Apart from the ridiculous statement "African Cichlids are aggressive feeders", lumping all African Cichlids together when they're only really talking about Rifts... that's a good link.



Anyway where's my game? I was promised a game....

 

How is it treated (in addition to changing his diet?) Epsom Salt?

 

Change the diet. It doesn't look bloated yet to me, just fat.

 

Change the diet. It doesn't look bloated yet to me, just fat.

Yeah, this morning the string is gone. Going to buy spirulina based food today at Petsmart. Can anyone recommend a brand?

 

How is it treated (in addition to changing his diet?) Epsom Salt?

Metronidazole is usually considered the best option (products like Octozin or Clout...). But I would only try it as a last resort, if changing the diet has no effect, and it only has a 50/50 success rate at best.

 

Is this a good option for them?

 

Is this a good option for them?

No, it's too high in protein (38%). It's main ingredients are krill and fish. You need foods for herbivores... plec foods, goldfish foods etc.

I'm sure there are mbuna-specific foods out there somewhere... LeoDiaz ?

 

No, it's too high in protein (38%). It's main ingredients are krill and fish. You need foods for herbivores... plec foods, goldfish foods etc.

I'm sure there are mbuna-specific foods out there somewhere... LeoDiaz ?

Got it.

 

I feed this to my mbunas still looking for something better but this is what found works best till someone makes something better.

 

Aqueon makes a sinking Herbivore pellet that my fish have taken, though not always enthusiastically. I used it for omnivores in rotation with the Extreme Cichlid Peewee, which worked great for the Retroculus. However, I also used it with some more vegetarian types, and it was taken as readily as any other food.

 

I feed this to my mbunas still looking for something better but this is what found works best till someone makes something better.

Bought the herbI food. Seems like they loved it. Hopefully this helps them and keeps them healthier.

 

Some of your fish are carnivores...

 

Some of your fish are carnivores...

Actually, after researching, most are omnivores that prefer herbivorous nutrient.

 

LeoDiaz knows all. ALL.


Also wanting a game!

 

Actually, after researching, most are omnivores that prefer herbivorous nutrient.

If I'm seeing correctly I see a venustus in there correct me if I'm wrong, if so they are ambush predator and are carnivores also most peacocks/haps are carnivores. The only one that are mostly herbivores are the mbunas in your tank.

 

If seeing correctly I see a venustus in there correct me if I'm wrong, if so they are ambush predator and are carnivores also most peacocks/haps are carnivores. The only one that are herbivores are the mbunas in your tank.

You are correct. What do you suggest I do outside of taking them out of the tank?

 

You are correct. What do you suggest I do outside of taking them out of the tank?

Well it's hard feeding them then because anything you place in the tank to feed the carnivores all the other fish are going to eat them. So if you get some carnivore pellets the mbunas will still eat them they don't care what it is. But is not good for them to be eating carnivore pellets they can bloat if they get the improper diet.

So in other words idk what you can do if you don't want to separate them.

 

LeoDiaz is spot on, they shouldn't be kept together.

 

Well it's hard feeding them then because anything you place in the tank to feed the carnivores all the other fish are going to eat them. So if you get some carnivore pellets the mbunas will still eat them they don't care what it is. But is not good for them to be eating carnivore pellets they can bloat if they get the improper diet.

So in other words idk what you can do if you don't want to separate them.

Great...doest the food u recommended have salmon or some % of protein?

 

Great...doest the food u recommended have salmon or some % of protein?

Yes, is mostly Veggie matter has some protein but not in the amount a carnivores need.

Is like feeding your dog a chicken Cesar salad it has chicken/protein but still has that bunch of veggie material not in the ratios they are supposed to be eating

Your best options is going to be to separate them...

 

Yes, is mostly Veggie matter has some protein but not in the amount a carnivores need.

Your best options is going to be to separate them...

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You can read my signature...

 

The food I was giving them all before had 5% more protein content. 33 vs 38 percent

 

The food I was giving them all before had 5% more protein content. 33 vs 38 percent

The one your feeding is fine for the peacock/haps but for the mbunas you need a veggies based food.

 

So 5% less is not enough for them?

 

No because the source of protein is not the same one is coming from mainly fish and the other comes a lot from the kelp and spirulina.

 

No because the source of protein is not the same one is coming from mainly fish and the other comes a lot from the kelp and spirulina.

Thank you

 

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