Treating Parasites?

[TropicalFish13]

Hey I have a feeling my large Pleco has internal parasites. He is pooing the long clear stringy poop and changing colour so im guessing he is stressed about it. Only problem is im in NZ and where I am the pet shops dont sell para guard or anything to do with internal parasites so im wondering if there is anything i can do to get rid of them? please help me. The tank water is all fine it got checked today.

 

[Ninjouzata]

Did you test the water yourself or at your lfs? Liquid or strips?
It's a lot better if you can give us the exact readings for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.

 

[Meeresstille]

Never tried it myself but some people feed their fish garlic or garlic juice. It is said that it boosts the immune-system and has been given to treat parasite infections. Not sure of the validity of this, and one should try to avoid treating a fish/tank with medications unless they know what the infection is, but I don't think adding garlic would do any harm to your fish!

 

[TropicalFish13]

got tested at the pet shop with liquid testers. The tank is fine and is getting a water change today anyway. I saw some garlic stuff at the pet shop for fish I could try.

 

[iapple5678]

Garlic isn't going to remove parasites. Also the immune boosting compound in garlic breaks down pretty quickly. Your better off smashing your own fresh garlic then buying any 'garlic' fish products.

 

[TropicalFish13]

well I need something that will =/

 

[TropicalFish13]

Anyone got a solution?

 

[Meeresstille]

Since it seems to be very difficult for you to get the meds that you are looking for, why don't you give the garlic a try. I'd use fresh garlic, press it through a garlic press, squeeze the garlic so the juice drops onto the portioned fish food, let it get soaked up by the fish food and feed it to the fish.
 
There are people who say it works, there are people who are skeptical, do a google search on it. Here are two articles I found, one of them being skeptical: http/reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-10/sp/
and one being supportive: http/www.crimsonrays.com/hobby/fishkeeping/articles/garlic.html
 
Just be prepared, it looks like it takes some commitment to do this every day for many weeks, if not months. It does not seem to be a quick fix but at least it won't be harmful to your fish, and as a side benefit it should boost the fish's immune-system!