Parasite Or Virus?

[star4]

This problem is only affecting my texas cichlids, non of the other fish in the tank have it, water stats are all fine and I have already run an antibacterial med. My initial thought was a burn from the heater, but as the guard was in place that was ruled out, second thought was a bite turned bad, hence the antibac meds, but its not touched these spots, a second texan now has these spots and one is actually inside its mouth. The spot appeared over a couple of days growing larger and how has a white head. (looks just like acne spot ready to pop) I and not 100% sure but it appears on one spot to be a very fine thread like a hair. I have started a course of Sterazin (parasitic med) but could really do with some help identifing this problem, I have looked on the net and cannot find anything close to whats on my boys. Sorry for blurry pics, they wont stay still.

No flicking or rubbing is going on, no clamped fins, no excess slime/mucus or rapid breathing, fish are eating well, great colour, no other symptoms

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[star4]

Anyone

 

[rdp50734]

Sorry star, I have very little experience with any sort of fish illness. Hopefully someone will be able to ID it for you, why not drop wilder a PM?

 

[the biffster]

i am thinking septicemia

 

[star4]

I cannot find anything like this anywhere. I dont think its septicemia, there are no red streaks anywhere (did have a fish with that once) and its pretty deadly, the texas has had this spot now 11 days. The spot actually goes through the dorsal and tail fin and sticks out the same on the other side

pics not too clear of it on the other side

 

[star4]

I have been treating with Sterazine and during a large wc last night one of the spots fell off leaving a big hole in the fish's tail. The spot was red, jelly like with a white bit comming out of it, like a pea throwing its first shoot. The white "worm/shoot" was smooth (wasnt moving so hoping the sterazin has killed whatever these things are) The sack was about 2mm in diameter and the worm bit was that was sticking out was about 2mm long. I have never seen anything like it, if anyone has any ideas I would be greatful to know what it is.

 

[Davo86]

Hi Star, my guess would be Anchor Worms, which the main symptoms include redness, ulcer like spots, areas infected near base of fins, and of course white worms,

 

[star4]

Thanks Davo, I have looked up anchor worms and all the pics I found show that its the head in the fish and a forked tail is usually sticking out of the spot. These things have no forked tail, unless what I see is the head sticking out.

 

[Davo86]

May still be the result of anchor worm, the worms bury out of the fish leaving this type of damage

 

[star4]

I will finish the sterazin med (only 1 dose left) and try an anchor worm med as well.

 

[star4]

I can no longer see worm things but it now appears to be getting worse on one of the texas, more lumps are appearing in the poor things mouth, but these are pinkish that bright red that they were. I am in 2 minds whether to treat, after the final dose of sterazin, with an antifungal/antibacterial med or try the anchor worm med.