Glofish shark has long, stringy white poop. What should I do?

Thanks for reaching out about your fish. Most of the water additives don't get absorbed systemically since fresh water fish do not drink water. A veterinary visit with a fecal sample is recommended to identify possible parasites and then prescribe a treatment. Most likely the medications needs to be top-coated on food and then eaten. Dosage depends on number of fish and estimated biomass (cumulative weight of fish). Good luck.

The bloating could be infection. It may also be parasitic infection, constipation or swim bladder disease. You cannot discount them being gravid (pregnant). Glo fish are egg layers, so they could be females readying to spawn (release eggs). First check water chemistry and quality. Clean water is critical to having healthy fish or to having fish recover from illness or injury. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. An established tank will have 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with a nitrate level of 20 ppm or less. If your tank shows any level of ammonia or nitrites, perform a partial water change (no more than 30% total volume at a time) using conditioned water. Makebsurebit is temperature matched as well to prevent stress or shock. Glofish do best between 72 F and 80 F. Once water quality is squared away, fast the fish for 2-3 days, then feed tiny bits of cooked and shelled green peas. This will help with constipation and bloating. Feed peas until they are swimming normally and the bloating is resolved. If the peas don't help, try broad spectrum antibiotic, such as erythromycin or ampicillin. You can find either in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated. An "all in one" product, such as Lifeguard (by Tetra) can also be used. This will treat multiple types of infection with one medication.

Check the water chemistry and temperature. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample to test fro elevated ammonia or nitrite levels. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Partial water changes can be done, if indicated, to stabilize chemistry and improve or maintain water quality. Ideally, you want 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less in a non-planted tank or 40 ppm or less in a planted tank. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. You'll need to keep the temp at the upper limits for Red Tails in order to keep the Angelfish comfortable. That would be in the 78F to 80 F range. Both have similar pH requirements, 6.8 to 7.5. You can fast the Angel for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked, shelled green peas. This will usually resolve constipation and bloating. Pristine water quality may resolve the patch on your shark. Recommending a medication without more information or a clear image would be risky to the stability of the tank's nitrogen cycle. You can use plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) as a general tonic. It will reduce stress, improve gill function, may treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water in a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition. A note on tank size: Although the two fish may be fine in a 15 gallon tank now, you will likely need a larger tank as they mature. Red Tails can reach 6-7 inches and Angels can reach 6-8 inches. At adult size, a 15 gallon tank will be insufficient and could lead to some aggression from either fish.

Perform a partial water changes, 30-50%, using conditioned water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon up to 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt per gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. This will work as laxative. Fast the fish for 3 days, then start feeding bits of cooked and shelled green peas until defecation and appearance are normal. You can also add metronidazole at 200mg/20 gal to the tank. Repeat the water change, salt and metronidazole every 3 days for 3 cycles. Be sure to treat only the amount of water being replaced with salt and not the entire tank volume. Remove the carbon filter insert during treatment as well.

Simply monitor him. He may have been constipated and you caught him as he finally defecated. You can fast him 1 day a week and offer cooked and shelled green peas to aid in defecation. Maintain pristine water quality and stable water chemistry.

Parasites, constipation, stress or bacterial infection are all possibilities. Maintain adequate water quality. Continue with the salt treatment, it can decrease stress, aid healing and may treat minor infection. Consider a product such as PraziPro or General Cure by API to treat for parasites. Constipation can be managed with a 3 day fast followed by feeding bits of cooked, shelled green peas until defecation is normal and regular.

Check the water temperature. Low temps can affect appetite and digestion in fish. Angels do best between 78 F and 80 F. You can soak food in garlic juice to stimulate his appetite. Next, check the water chemistry. This can be done using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. Most pet stores will do this for free or for a small fee. Confirm 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 40ppm or less in a tank with live plants or 20 ppm or less in an unplanted tank. Partial water changes can be done, if indicated, to stabilize chemistry and/or maintain water quality. use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Although they do best in slightly acidic and soft water, they are quite adaptable. Fast him for 2-3 days then feed bits of cooked and shelled green peas. if he is constipated then this should him him get regular again. A broad spectrum parasite medication, such as PraziPro, should be considered. You can find it in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully.