Parasites in a fish/reef tank
- ToniYo
- Car
- NealC
- ToniYo
- Car
- Ashes
- MrStump
- aaron43
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» ToniYo - Anchor worms
I have a 75g saltwater fish/reef tank that is relatively new having been cycled for only about 3 months. I quarantine all new additions to the tank. But several weeks ago I added a new piece of live rock and shortly after I noticed that my zebra moray had threadlike attachments to his head, tail tip and some on the body. I believe these to be anchor worms. I treated him using a freshwater dip and a formalin bath. Now he has them again and so does my clownfish. Is there anything that is reef safe AND effective that I can use to rid the tank of these little creeps! Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!-- posted by ToniYo
» Car - Re: Anchor worms
In response to message posted by ToniYo:Hi Toni,
I'm not expert here but the editor of this area is stepping down due to RL getting really busy. I know this isn't a solution but I'd make sure to quarantine them and quickly before the worms spread to other fish.
I can ask our microbiology expert here at Suite101. Perhaps he has more suggestions or something other than formalin to use on such a parasite.
Incidentally, if anyone is interested in becoming a Suite101 Contributing Editor for a topic such a this, please consider clicking on the "Become an Editor" link in the right panel area.
-- posted by Car
» NealC - Re: Re: Anchor worms
In response to message posted by Car:I am not a fish disease person however I did a little searching and found two different approaches to this problem.
Physically remove the anchor worms as per instructions below:
Do NOT used Dimlin on arowana. Some fish can be very sensitive to Dimlin. Treatment: Once the fish is anaesthetized,all anchor worms should the be removed very carefully with tweezers, ensuring that the head and anchor are removed, not just the body and tail of the anchor worm. If difficulties are experienced in removing the live anchor worm, a strong solution of Potassium Permanganate crystals should be prepare by mixing 1 gram in 25 ml's of hot water. Dip the tweezers tips into the solution prior to removing the worm. Once the solution touched the anchor worm body, it should release it grip immediately. Once removed, the point of contact should be disinfected with a strong topical dressing.
http://www.unoaquatic.com/message/index....
Another place suggests a particular treatment:
http://www.cphfish.com/cp01004.html
Hope that helps.
-- posted by NealC
» ToniYo - Re: Re: Anchor worms
In response to message posted by Car:Thanks for the response. The problem is that the worms are now apparently in the tank. I can get rid of the parasite from the fish with the baths but unless I can treat the tank, they will continue to return. Parsites ore such a pain!
-- posted by ToniYo
» Car - Re: Re: Re: Anchor worms
In response to message posted by ToniYo:Eep! That's worse. Okay... searching and will continue to but I came across this article in my search on Cooper being used for Ponds to control parasites. Any help there?
http://www.biofilter.com/FA13.htm
Again, no fish expert, (Sorry... not much help am I?), but could there be a different type of filter or filtration system that could be setup? Perhaps something that has ultraviolet or ozone to break apart the parasite. The hard part of course is making sure it's still safe for your fish.
Does anyone know if anchor worms survive long outside of water? Perhaps just a really good cleaning and dumping of your stones, filters, etc. might help cut down on majority of the parasite an then smaller treatments of your formalin might keep the parasite under control until it's gone?
-- posted by Car
» Ashes - Re: Anchor worms
I have been running around looking for my book with information on treating anchor worms, but I have been unable to find that specific information.However, I did find something about emergency cleaning tanks. Apparently an emergency cleaning is the most severe treatment for a tank as it involves starting the aquarium from scratch. If anchor worms strike more than 3-4 fish, this is the measure to take.
Place all fish in a hospital tank (10 gallon is large enough), and begin treatment on them. Then treat the tank.
Throw out filter media and save as little as possible. Wash walls, plastic plants heater, and filter with bleach. Make sure to rinse thoroughly. Throw out rocks and live plants. Replace plants, filter media and airstones.
I have had to do this because of parasites and I sympathize....hope everything works out.
Visit me at Breeding Tropical Fish
In response to message posted by Car:
-- posted by Ashes
» MrStump - Anchor Worms
I have aprox 20 litres of water in my tank, and 1 freshwater yabbie. The yabbie became infested with anchor worms but I am unsure if they can pierce the yabbie's exoskeleton. I've tried multi kill (suggested by a local pet shop) but seems to be having no effect. Any Ideas?-- posted by MrStump
» aaron43 - Re: Anchor Worms
In response to Anchor Worms posted by MrStump:in response to this a UV would work long term but would not ultimately destroy the parasite. What you need to do is take out all of the inhabitants. All of the fishes need to be removed and quarantined properly. If there are no inverts or corals in the tank i would advise you to lower the salinity of the tank to 1.008 through a few water changes through a couple of days. Leave the tank alone for about a month with the fish in QT. You'll be fine.
-- posted by aaron43
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