Blood Red Parrot problem

Parrot fish dad · May 2, 2020

Hi everyone,
New to the site seeking some advice. Jack and Rose are my 2 blood red parrots are about 3 years old. They share a 30 gallon tank with Mr. Black the pleco and a couple of small skunk catfish. One of them, names interchangeable, over the past couple of weeks is turning white and it looks like it's butt hole is turning inside out and is elongated out it it's body. I'm afraid that Jack or Rose is going to loose their partner. Not sure what to do. Has anyone else had this happen to their parrots? Any suggestion would be helpful. The girl at the pet store seemed offended that I said butt hole or anus when I asked for advice. No help there what so ever, Ugh!

JuiceBox52 · May 2, 2020

Not sure what's wrong with it, but had to comment on the pet store girl. That's hilarious. Pet shop employees dont often know hardly anything about fish in the first place either

Colin_T · May 2, 2020

pictures?

Parrot fish dad · May 3, 2020

The first pic is Jack and Rose happily swimming around. See the problem in pic # 2, Thanks

Parrot fish dad · May 3, 2020

Also, so you can get an idea of their size, the terra cotta pot in the pic is 6" dia. They back into it and hang out there sometimes

Colin_T · May 3, 2020

I need a picture that is in focus but there are a couple of possibilities.
1) the fish's intestine has popped out a bit.
2) the fish is in breeding condition and its ovipositor (egg laying tube) is extended.

The red in the end could be an infection or intestinal worms (Camallanus or Capillaria).

---------------
Is the fish eating properly?
What does its poop look like?
What is the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH of the tank water?
What do you feed the fish?

---------------
Wipe the inside of the glass with a clean fish sponge.

Do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for a week.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

Clean the filter if it hasn't been done in the last 2 weeks. Wash the filter media/ materials in a bucket of tank water and re-use the media. Tip the bucket of dirty water on the garden/ lawn.

Take some more pictures and check them on your computer. Make sure they are clear and in focus, then post them along with the water test results.

Parrot fish dad · May 5, 2020

Colin_T said:
I need a picture that is in focus but there are a couple of possibilities.
1) the fish's intestine has popped out a bit.
2) the fish is in breeding condition and its ovipositor (egg laying tube) is extended.

The red in the end could be an infection or intestinal worms (Camallanus or Capillaria).

---------------
Is the fish eating properly?
What does its poop look like?
What is the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH of the tank water?
What do you feed the fish?

---------------
Wipe the inside of the glass with a clean fish sponge.

Do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for a week.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

Clean the filter if it hasn't been done in the last 2 weeks. Wash the filter media/ materials in a bucket of tank water and re-use the media. Tip the bucket of dirty water on the garden/ lawn.

Take some more pictures and check them on your computer. Make sure they are clear and in focus, then post them along with the water test results.

Thanks for your reply,
I went to the pet store and got some medicine that contains Metronidazole and Praziquantel. I removed the carbon filter and changed out 25% of the water by vacuuming the rocks and refilled with de-chlorinated water. The redness at the end of the tube seems to be going away and even though it's only been a day, her color looks a little better. I noticed a dark spot on head behind and above her right eye. This medicine I got also says it's treats for hole in the head but I hope that's not it. She also seems to have belly bloat. Seems wierd that she's the only one affected and Jack and everyone ese are looking fine. I'm going to go through the same routine tomorrow (2 days) and treat again per the directions. Right now PH is 6.6 and Am, N2 & N3 or all at 0. I turned off the power head ( that's what the bubbles were) to get a clearer picture but it's still not great but you can see the rash on her side / top. Let me know what you think. Thanks for the help!

Colin_T · May 6, 2020

it looks like the ovipositor but could be a bit of intestine sticking out.
just run the full course of medication and see how it goes.

Parrot fish dad · May 6, 2020

Thanks for the advice. How long does this breeding period last and will her body go back to normal?
Thanks again !

Colin_T · May 7, 2020

If it's the ovipositor, it might remain out for a month or more depending on how the fish feels romantically.

If it's the intestine, sometimes they go back in by themselves but other times they don't. If the intestine is sticking out, there is a chance it can become infected and the fish dies from the infections.

Feeding a lot of plant matter can sometimes help with the intestine sticking out. Some people have had success holding the fish and very gently rubbing their finger over the area a couple of times. This can sometimes help get the intestine back in but you don't push it in, you simply stroke the area very gently a couple of times and the fish can sometimes retract it. Be very careful if you try this because you can harm the fish.

Parrot fish dad · May 9, 2020

Thanks for the advice. We've been through 2 courses of the medication now and I'm not really seeing any improvement in her condition. Rose doesn't seem to be too uncomfortable though so I guess that's a good think. Jack is looking great in both color and attitude so I'm not sure what to think. 2 more pics I took this morning attached. So that tube is going to retract? Looks more like it just might fall off?
Thanks

Colin_T · May 9, 2020

It doesn't look like the ovipositor.

Is the fish pooping and if so, what does the poop look like?

Metalhead88 · May 9, 2020

How long have you had these fish?

Colin_T · May 9, 2020

the first post says they have had them for about 3 years, so not old but not babies.

Metalhead88 · May 9, 2020

Colin_T said:
the first post says they have had them for about 3 years, so not old but not babies.

IDK how I missed that.....

Blood Parrots are pretty big fish. I got mine when it was about 2 inches and he has grown to be 8+ inches in less than a year.

This may or may not be related, but these fish may be stunted due to the tank size. They really need a bigger tank.

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