White Worms On Fish

angel-al

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Ive got a 230l well established tank - all water conditions are fine I tested a few days ago. However I have noticed tiny tiny white worms that seem to be under the skin of a couple of fish. Do you know what they are and how do I treat it. It looks like fungus from a distance. One of my cardinals has it on its pectoral fin and my ram has it on its side and appears to have a few red spots. My tank is heavily planted so sometimes fish do go missing for a while which is why I havent spotted it sooner. Please help.
 
Do the worms have forked tails.


If they don't have a forkted tail it could be skin flukes which cause bacterial infections on top.
Taken from this link.
http://www.exoticpetvet.net/aqua/parasites.html
Monogenetic flukes are flatworms that are usually found as ectoparasites of fish. They often have a hooked attachment organ and they have a simple, direct life cycle. They are just visible to the naked eye. They often feed on skin and gill tissue, but usually only cause problems if found in large numbers. Gyrodactylus lives on the skin, fins and gills of many species of fish. This fluke gives birth to live young (others lay eggs). Clinical signs are "flashing" and skin problems. Treatment with formalin, praziquantel, TrichlorofonTM (dimethyl phosphate) or salt baths are effective. Formaldehyde is used as a bath for 12-24 hours at 20-25 ppm (mg/L), repeated every three days, for three treatments (same as for ich), with 30-70% water change in between treatments. Praziquantel is dosed as a bath for 3-6 hours, at 5-10 mg/L, repeated three times, with 30-70% water change between treatments. Praziquantel is now available in several commercially prepared tablets. TrichlorofonTM is used as a bath, for one hour, 0.25-1.0 ppm, repeated daily for three days, with 30-70% water change between treatments. Salt is used as a bath, as a 4-5 minute dip dosed at 30-35 g/L, repeated daily for three treatments, with a 30-70 % water change in between treatments.

Digeneans are endoparasitic flukes. They have two suckers, one at each end. They have an indirect life cycle, with fish acting as both intermediate hosts (carrying metacercaria larvae) and final hosts. Adult digeneans are usually found in the gastrointestinal tract, the larvae (which may be encysted) can be found throughout the body and cause problems if they invade such organs as the eyes (as does Diplostomum) or heart, in high numbers. The larval stages of digenetic fluke parasites (Clinostomum, Posthodiplostomum and Diplostomum) cause black spot in aquarium fish. Praziquantel is the treatment of choice. As a bath, for 3-6 hours, it is dosed at 5-10 mg/L, repeated for three doses, with a 30-70% water change between dosing. Praziquantel may also be dosed in the feed, at 5 mg/kg of fish, or it may be injected intraperitoneally or intramuscularly, dosed at 5 mg/kg.
 
I dont think so. They actually look like theyre under the skin and they are squiggly. Anchor worm usually sticks out of the body doesnt it
 
Take a look at the above info it could be flukes.
 
What your location.
Yes you can get internal flukes aswell as external.
 
Good luck.
You can use other meds with the wormer plus, I would add anti internal bacteria med by interpet.
Flukes in there hooks or suckers they carry a nasty bacteria which enters the fish blood stream resulting in bacterial infections like sores and ulcers.
 
I will do if you say its safe to mix these these meds.. By the way, is it best to mix the wormer with the food, do you reckon or just dose the tank.
 
I would just add the med to the tank.
If you have any snails in the tank the wormer plus will kill them.
Taken from the wormer plus link.
This product can be mixed with other aquarium products and medications.
 
I cant stop looking at my fish and the more I look, the less sure I am that they are internal worms. They are soooo tiny and the fish wont stay still! If the worms are on the pectoral fins and white, are they more likely to be external. I have treated my fish will internal bacteria treatment, but not with the wormer as its not yet come. Im worrying now about over medicating - any suggestions? I just want to do whats best.
 
The wormer plus takes care of external and internal parasites.
The anti internal bacteria med was for the bacteria infections the parasites have caused.
Can you post a pic of the worms, flukes are small but you just about see them with the naked eye.
 

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