Does white poo always mean worms?

[TW]

All the discus in this tank look and act well and are good eaters. I was surprised tonight to see this one with white poo hanging down.

Forgive the poor shot, but I think it at least does the poo I'm talking about.

Their main diet is beef heart (Lady Red's recipe) with the occasional frozen blood worms & live brine shrimp. They won't accept pellets.

Is this anything to worry about?

[samir]

I've never found worm eggs in white feacal samples, always flagellated protozoa. I've examined healthy juveniles and they always have protozoa in their gut.
Ammonia readings and fluctuating ph seem to be the main reason for an increase in protozoa numbers. If they are still eating a stable enviroment and zero ammonia will get them back to normal. For the sicker ones dropping the ph down to 5.5 for around a month fixes them. The other option is to treat with metronidazole (in feed is better).

[fishgeek]

mucous production is just a response to irritation of the cells that line the intestinal tract
whether that be protozoa,worm, bacteria, toxin etc etc

andrew

[TW]

Thanks for advice guys.

So, is it something to worry about? Any action required?