Help; Do Fish Have Fleas And How Do I Remove The Little 'darlings&

[Jade2672]

Please can anyone guide me on how to diagnose fleas on my fish; how they managed to invade my tank; and how to remove them?

I have spoken to a local pet shop who sold me 'Waterlife Sterazin' but the packaging says this is treatment for '...Gill and Body Flukes which cause flicking, controls internal worms'.
Is this what I really need??

From what I can see there are tiny little white insects about the same size as a grain of sugar on my Oscars; they do not appear to be causing discomfort (rubbing etc).

Can anyone refer me to a good website?


Thanks!

 

[WILDER]

They can get mites, can you describe the little white insects, do they look like worms, do they have legs, are they disc shaped, that med is for gill and body flukes and it not a great meds for flukes anyway, but you cannot see body flukes with the naked eye.

Look under fish louse.
http/www.2cah.com/pandora/Disease.html#Argulus

 

[tttnjfttt]

Do the spots seem to move around?

 

[WILDER]

All i can find is this
http/www.waterlife.co.uk/waterlife/treat13.htm

 

[Jade2672]

Do the spots seem to move around?

Yes, they are moving about across the back and head... any ideas??

 

[WILDER]

Has the waterlife med made an difference as you might need to change it if not.
As it might be fish louse.

http/articles.pointshop.com/pets/50451.php

8. Again, if a parasite is visible, and is round in shape, suspect Fish Louse

This is a very strong med and will wipe your bacteria colony out in the filter.





No 12 Anti Crustacean & Parasite 100ml
ANTI CRUSTACEAN PARASITE No 12 : Eliminates anchor
worm, fish lice, gill maggots and leeches.

Larger higher level parasites can be introduced into the aquarium on new fish or plants. They cause life-threatening damage and should be eradicated quickly.

Crustacean parasites are very difficult to eradicate so this treatment is powerful. Therefore, take care to carefully follow all instructions and note all warnings

For use with coldwater and tropical fish in marine and freshwater systems

WARNING: This treatment negatively affects biological filtration.
Damages Plants
Do not use with UV filters
Do not use below pH 6.5
For Marines, use only in separate treatment aquarium
Use only if sure of diagnosis

 

[Jade2672]

Thank you all for your kind advice; we have administered the final Waterlife 'treatment' as instructed and believe all parasites have been 'removed'.

We've checked our fish and cannot see any more pests; from the advice you have given I believe the parasites entered our tank with recent plant & bogwood purchased from our local aquarium.


Thanks again!



Jade2672 x x x

 

[WILDER]

Thats good news, to make sure they have gone completely you could do another course of the med.

 

[XxTbaggerxX]

If they came from the plants and bogwood then next time you buy plants from your pet store it be wise to clean them, that'll remove any snails too.