What are the white strings I am seeing on my tropical freshwater fish?

Answer by  naputnam (454)

It is probably fungus or finrot. Check water quality. Ammonia and nitrites must always be 0 ppm. You can treat with Maracyn or similar broad spectrum antibiotic, but until the environmental conditions that caused the symptoms are fixed, the problem won't really be addressed. Good luck!

Answer by  JaydeesLaydee (523)

If you mean little white strings that hang down under their tails, this is simply their poop. That's all it is...poop.

Answer by  Melissa72 (167)

This could be a sign of illness. Often, sick fish get a slimy buildup on their body. This buildup can come off and look like strings. You should go to your pet shop and get advice on a good treatment from your tanks. This is often a liquid medication that you add to the water.

Answer by  BrendaG (6111)

Change the water daily while infected with this. Add one half of a dose of aquarium salt in the morning and the other half in the evening. You can add melafix/pimafix as they are safe to use but no chemicals should be added to tank now.

Answer by  taruun (163)

Mostly the acquatic habitants are infected by the micobes. Mostly probably fresh water fish infected by another disease will be infected with this type of fungus and white layer on the skin may caused by fungus Saprolegnia.

Answer by  Trueakitalover (1728)

This is their poop when they eat. It won't always be brown strings that you are probably used to seeing. This is white due to feeding of different foods.

Answer by  Katie6529 (56)

The white strings are probably parasites however it's hard to determine without seeing them. For the best diagnosis go to the aquarium store, for some medicine and help.