Symptoms
White stringy feces, hollow belly despite eating, slow weight loss, pale color.
Parasites reduce growth, particularly in juveniles.
Treatment Protocol
API General Cure (praziquantel + metronidazole) for 5 days.
Repeat treatment 10 days later to catch hatched parasites.
Advanced Cases
If persistent, Levamisole (1 tablet per 10 gallons, dose per protocol) specifically targets tapeworms.
Severe cases need oral medication — soak pellets in metronidazole solution.
Prevention
Avoid live feeder fish and tubifex worms — common parasite vectors.
Quarantine new arrivals. Routine deworming (every 6 months) for breeding stock.