Try to post a picture of this. Yes it could be a parasite but it could also be skin from a wound, just a string he found in the tank or other benign things. A closeup pic would definitely help identify it.
What if the fish bit something in the tank that ripped or shredded the inside of it's mouth? That skin could be left hanging.
But I've seen fish with pet hair in their mouths, Human hair, strands of filter floss that came loose, all kinds of things stuck in their mouths ( or their teeth actually). They don't have hands that can grab it and pull it out.
If a fish hasn't been eating, they will still shed mucus from the intestinal wall. This is what those pics seem to show. The little white bundle in the middle of the mucus is more alarming. Unless the fish has been eating something white, that is most likely a parasite and the fish should be dewormed.
I added parasite medication to the tank. I hope this helps.If a fish hasn't been eating, they will still shed mucus from the intestinal wall. This is what those pics seem to show. The little white bundle in the middle of the mucus is more alarming. Unless the fish has been eating something white, that is most likely a parasite and the fish should be dewormed.
This is why "a picture is worth 1000 words."
Was it for internal parasites or external ones? A medication for say, Ich, will not treat an intestinal worm. You need a med with Praziquantel, Metronidazole, Levamisole HCL or Fenbendazole for internal parasites.
Will this work?
It may but it's a low dose of the meds. If you still see clear poo and/or white poo at the end of the recommended treatment, I'd switch to Fritz Paracleanse. Same meds except at a higher dose. Is the fish eating regularly?
He has been eating but not as aggressive. I did not feed tonight.
If the meds is working, you should be seeing brown poo then. Don't starve the fish. Internal parasites are consuming some of the food the fish is eating so they, the fish, need more food and feedings instead of less.
Then he's better off being in a hospital tank vs the main tank. You have a couple of things working against you. Dwarf Gouramis can carry a virus which is highly contagious to a number of other species. The method of transportation is ingestion. Healthy fish will pick at sick or sickly fish and actually eat them as they die. This is how the virus can get spread. If the fish is not eating, he is weakening and now a potential victim of harassment so should be isolated from the other fish. In a hospital tank, you will also be able to see when/if the parasites are expelled.
