Can fish have worms?

[McMatt]

I've got a blue tang, and a sailfin tang, and both seem to be pooping out long thin strings of feces (I wish I could get a picture of it, it's more than one string at a time) that seem to cling to their anus. Then when the feces is finally released into the water, the two of them both feast on it almost before it can hit the bottom. Is there some type of intestinal worms that they possibly have? I noticed them deficate fairly solid chunks before, but this started a few weeks ago. Just curious..

If it IS worms, is it harmfull to them, and how would I go about curing it if I need to?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[romunov]

I used very mixed garlic in my freshwater tank. Dunno how this behaves in a reef tank though. Some foods already have some garlic extract in it...

 

[Len]

McMatt, yes, marine fish can suffer from internal worm infestations. However, the observations you've described are not symptoms of worm parasites. If your tangs begin to look emaciated, loses color, and/or behave erratically, then you have something to worry about. There are medications available to de-worm fish but these need toe be administered in a seperate quarentine tank.

Fish eating organic byproducts (their own and others) is quite normal; as abnormal as it sounds to us, it's an efficient way to recycle nutrients.

 

[danmhippo]

I am pretty sure you have seen gorilla sifting through their own poo, haven't you?

 

[McMatt]

Ok.. Any ideas on what might have caused them to stop producing solid pellets an start producing large clumps of string like feces? Just curious.. Haven't changed feeding.. They eat flake and the Sea veggies by two little fishes.. Just curious.. Not happening with the other fish in the system (Two clowns, two damsels, and mandarin dragonette.)

Keep the replies coming! Thanks!!!!!!! Love this board.. You can find out almost anything about fish!

BTW.. Tank specs:
55 Gallon
75lb Live rock
260 watt VHO PC lights
Fluvial 304 can filter running charcoal, filter media, phosphate sponge, and prefilter
Seaquest skimmer
Condi anemome
Bulb tip anenome
Bulseye anenome
few soft corals.. (Xenia, Zooanthid, green and purple starburst, button polyps, red and green shrooms, etc)
Sailfin Tang
Blue Tang
Two Occelaris Clowns
one 4 stripe damsel
one bicolor damsel
one mandarin dragonette
(using Red Sea salt atm, since I was dumb and bought a 55lb box of it before I realized it was junk)

 

[Anonymous]

My yellow tang eats his own poop all the time.

 

[Kevin1000]

Move your fish to a QT and treat with pipzine.

 

[Baianotang]

My yellow tang eats his own poop all the time.
That is simply rude.

 

[cdeakle]

Ok.. Any ideas on what might have caused them to stop producing solid pellets an start producing large clumps of string like feces?

Havent you ever had one of those days? :wink: :lol:
Seriously though, usualy the day after mexican food night?

I'm sure your good to go, nothing sounds abnormal.....

 

[Anonymous]

Garlic Extreme, made by Kent Marine.

If they do have anything bad, then thatll take care of it! Plus, itll make em' eat better, especially your mandarins! My mandarins love the stuff!