Bellus Angel - Internal Parasite?

[Willow59]

I’ve had this Bellus for 2 years and over the last 6-9 months her underside has begun to sink. Her appetite is strong, but I noticed what I thought might be a worm hanging from the anus two days ago.

What do you all think about it in the photos and about a path forward? I’ve done some reading here on Jay’s methods but want to verify what I’m seeing.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Fish is awfully thin and is fish eating?
What signs are you seeing that makes you suspect internal parasites? Some signs are white feces, finches head, loss of if appetite as examples?

 

[Tcook]

Any other fish with this issue? Seems strange after 2 years. Organ damage?

 

[Largeangels]

Yes, very thin. If it is eating I would start feeding a lot more.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I’ve had this Bellus for 2 years and over the last 6-9 months her underside has begun to sink. Her appetite is strong, but I noticed what I thought might be a worm hanging from the anus two days ago.

What do you all think about it in the photos and about a path forward? I’ve done some reading here on Jay’s methods but want to verify what I’m seeing.

The only worm that you might see hanging out of fish like that would be nematodes or tapeworms. Nematodes are often still moving and are pointed at both ends. Tapeworms are segmented (but you have to look really closely).

This looks like mucus to me, not eating can cause that.

One thing to consider when a long term captive like this gets thin is Mycobacteria, fish tuberculosis. It is found in literally every aquarium, but usually only causes disease in older fish. External symptoms include wasting, poor color, bugging eyes and not eating. It isn’t treatable though….

 

[Willow59]

Fish is awfully thin and is fish eating?
What signs are you seeing that makes you suspect internal parasites? Some signs are white feces, finches head, loss of if appetite as examples?

The overall weight loss/wasting primarily followed by the unusually feces this week.

Any other fish with this issue? Seems strange after 2 years. Organ damage?

Thankfully no others. Agreed on the timing. She was in another display for at least 2 years prior to mine too.

The only worm that you might see hanging out of fish like that would be nematodes or tapeworms. Nematodes are often still moving and are pointed at both ends. Tapeworms are segmented (but you have to look really closely).

This looks like mucus to me, not eating can cause that.

One thing to consider when a long term captive like this gets thin is Mycobacteria, fish tuberculosis. It is found in literally every aquarium, but usually only causes disease in older fish. External symptoms include wasting, poor color, bugging eyes and not eating. It isn’t treatable though….

Thanks, Jay. The ID of that feces was my impetus to post. It seems that at 4+ years she may very well be just aging.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The overall weight loss/wasting primarily followed by the unusually feces this week.


Thankfully no others. Agreed on the timing. She was in another display for at least 2 years prior to mine too.



Thanks, Jay. The ID of that feces was my impetus to post. It seems that at 4+ years she may very well be just aging.

Agreed