Who Gives A Fish Forums

Just got my first fish, a true percula clown, from the LFS and put it in my 10g tank. Not long after, I noticed this stringy white poop hanging from him. Did some research and it could be a parasite. His face is a bit pale too, still orange but not as vibrant as the rest of his body. Could this be a parasite? The LFS said they feed their clowns mysis shrimp a few times a week, which I know can cause similar white poop, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I fed him soon after adding him to the tank, and he didn't rush up to eat like I expected. He just nipped at the food as it sank. Not sure if this is related or just stress from the new tank. If it is a parasite, how do I treat it? I have a trochus snail in the tank, so I need something safe for it too. Is prazi safe for a display tank and the snail? Any help would be great, I'm new to this hobby and want the best for my new fish.

I think we need to get a better understanding of what's going on here - can you provide some pictures of your tank, fish, and that stringy white poop? It's worth noting that a varied diet is essential for your fish's health, including a mix of frozen and live foods like prawn, shrimp, fish, squid, and more. However, I've found that mysis shrimp doesn't typically cause stringy white poop.

From what I've read, stringy white poop is usually a sign of an internal bacterial or protozoan infection, or even intestinal worms. I came across this helpful link that explains the possible reasons behind stringy white poop in fish.

If you suspect your fish has an internal issue, Praziquantel is generally safe for fish and other animals. I'm not sure about its effects on marine snails like your Trochus snail, though. On the other hand, I'm pretty sure Flubendazole can harm snails and other invertebrates, so it's best to avoid that one. If you need to treat your fish for intestinal worms, Praziquantel and Levamisole might be a better option.

That being said, if your fish isn't eating properly in the next few days, it could be a sign of an internal protozoan infection, especially if it's a tank-raised fish from a commercial facility. Keep a close eye on your fish, and if it doesn't start eating normally, you might want to consider returning it and getting a different fish from a different batch.