Recently, I was at a client’s to diagnose the reason for unusual faeces produced by their fish. Generally speaking, normal faeces should have a uniform, thick, sausage-like appearance. But when fish develop enteritis, faeces may be empty casts, appear thin, or contain bubbles.
Most fish keepers would instantly jump to needing metronidazole because they suspect Hexamita ( intestinal protozoal parasitism) infection. But did you know that there are more than reason for this.
With proper microscopic exams of faeces, I managed to find the reason was in fact due to the Capillaria worm, evidenced by the presence of worm eggs! The treatment for this is a course of levamisole; and metronidazole or dimetridazole would have been a waste of effort, money and time.
The take home message is, don’t guess, ask a vet.
