Do I Have Anchor Worm Problem

[ihmix]

Hi, I have just finished cycling my tank approx 3 weeks, have a master test kit and all seems fine I have introduced some zebra danio into my tank as the first fish 5 in total. I have had 2 die in the last couple of days, and yesterday I noticed small black tadpole type things on the glass approx 8 in total they disapear after I switch the tank lights on. It was sugested to me that these may be anchor worms or flukes. I rushed out and purchased King British Methylene Blue. My first question is have I purchased the right stuff to tackle this and are anchor worms and fluke the same or similar thing. any help or advice would be very gratfully recieved. Many thanks in advance. ihmix

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Are there any worms on the fish though? I may be wrong, but if the critters aern't on the fish then i'd say they were somthing else, like planeria, which are harmless. The symtoms of gill flukes as far as im aware are gill covers will protrude, and fish may pant and scratch on objects in the tank.

 

[WILDER]

I agree dosn't sound like anchor worm to me, not the writer of this information below.
Anchor Worm (a.k.a. Lernaea)



Symptoms:

Infected fish can be seen with whitish red worm-like threads, about ¼ inch long. Trailing at the rear of female parasites are two long, tube-like egg sacs. The parasites can be found anywhere on the body of the fish, including the eyes, gills and fins. Raised ulcers may appear at the site of attachment. Consequently, secondary bacterial infections may occur. The tale-tale sign that your fish is infected will be if you notice it rubbing or scraping against objects in the aquarium. It does this in an effort to remove the parasite.



Cause:

The parasitic crustacean Lernaea. Lernaea burrow into the muscle and gill tissue of fish, often times reaching as deeply as the internal organs, causing severe damage. Heavy infestations can cause significant weight loss and death.



Treatment:

You should kill all visible worms by dabbing them with a cotton swab, dipped in Potassium Permanganate or an anti-parasitic medication. Then you should carefully remove them from the fish with tweezers. You should kill the parasites before removing them because if they have burrowed deeply, removing them alive could cause the fish pain and significant physical damage. Once you’ve removed the parasite, you should then dab the wounds with Methylene Blue to prevent secondary bacterial infections from occurring. It is highly recommended that you feed the fish with medicated food. The tank will also need to be treated to kill any unseen, free-swimming juvenile parasites. You can use Fluke Tabs, Clout, Paragon or Trifon for this.





So they are not attached to the fish, just check the fish for puncture wounds.

 

[ihmix]

Hi, Thanks for all your help so far, I have just noticed that one of my zebra danio has a trailing white thing behind it looks like a piece of cotton. Going back to my first question could these have been junior anchor worms waiting to act and also what sort of treatment can you reccomend without getting the fish out of the water and physically removing the worm. Thanks in advance. ihmix

 

[WILDER]

Do they have a forked tail, interpet do one but it's very powerful and will wipe the bacteria colony out in your tank.
No 12 Anti Crustacean & Parasite 100ml
http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/listsecti...tp=100&rets=235

 

[ihmix]

Hi thanks for the advice will head to pet shop in the morning to get some interpet no.12. I tried to see if there was a visable fork but was very difficult to see these things move so fast. I looked on another forum earlier and someone had posted a picture of a anchor worm coming from the back of his fish and yes it did look very similar. I have only one fish left now so I think treating the tank now may be a good idea regardless of bacteria problems, I shall keep testing the water again until the cycle resumes normal operation. Many thanks. ihmix.