Thread originally posted here: http
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/341091-worms-in-my-filter-system/
Yesterday I noticed the temp of the aquarium water had risen to almost 31 degrees C despite the heater being set at 29 degrees C. As a result I took the lid of the internal filter box and partially lifted the heater out only to find very small worms riggling about near the temperature switch.
I grabbed the camera immediately and started to record them moving. The video can be found here: http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeZT1nErA_M
I'm now starting to wonder if these 'worms' could be responsible for causing the fish to itch/flick themselves and it may explain why my anti-parasite treatment isn't stopping the fish from itching/flicking despite relentless dosing. Here is another video of my German Blue Ram with what appears to be horizontal black lines on it's pectoral fin: http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=50pemXRhFd4 . I have a picture of my GBR from several months prior and these horizontal black lines were not there.
Could someone please identify what is living in my filter and give any tips for chemically removing them? I feel removing them is important as I think they may have something to do with the recent illnesses that my fish have been developing, including fast gill movement, flicking, yawning etc.
Mark.
Edit: I have been adviced to copy and paste this thread from the Tropical Emergency forum. Most of my fish are showing infrequent signs of rubbing/flicking. I thought some kind of fluke or microscopic parasite may have been causing the flicking/rubbing however, as you can see from above, I do have some worms living within the filtration system (mainly on the heater) and I believe it is these causing the fish to respond by flicking etc. Inititally I treated the tank with Sterazin and then Protozin when I was under the impression that there was a microscopic parasite causing the fish to respond negatively; this treatment didn't improve the situation at all.
Since finding the worms on the heater, I've started treating for crustacean parasites (by applying Waterlife Parazin). This treatment has made the flicking/rubbing much more infrequent however it hasn't stopped it completely.
I have two questions regarding this treatment:
1. Some of it's ingredients seems to cause (either directly or indirectly) the ammonia level to rise within 24 hours. As you may know, ordinarily you would do a water change to lower the ammonia level, BUT I cannot do this as it will also lower the concentration of the Parazin treatment. What should I do to ensure the ammonia level stays at 0 ppm and the treatment remains effective?
2. Are there any other treatments which are more effective and which do not cause an ammonia rise?
Mark.
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/341091-worms-in-my-filter-system/Yesterday I noticed the temp of the aquarium water had risen to almost 31 degrees C despite the heater being set at 29 degrees C. As a result I took the lid of the internal filter box and partially lifted the heater out only to find very small worms riggling about near the temperature switch.
I grabbed the camera immediately and started to record them moving. The video can be found here: http
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeZT1nErA_MI'm now starting to wonder if these 'worms' could be responsible for causing the fish to itch/flick themselves and it may explain why my anti-parasite treatment isn't stopping the fish from itching/flicking despite relentless dosing. Here is another video of my German Blue Ram with what appears to be horizontal black lines on it's pectoral fin: http
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=50pemXRhFd4 . I have a picture of my GBR from several months prior and these horizontal black lines were not there.Could someone please identify what is living in my filter and give any tips for chemically removing them? I feel removing them is important as I think they may have something to do with the recent illnesses that my fish have been developing, including fast gill movement, flicking, yawning etc.
Mark.
Edit: I have been adviced to copy and paste this thread from the Tropical Emergency forum. Most of my fish are showing infrequent signs of rubbing/flicking. I thought some kind of fluke or microscopic parasite may have been causing the flicking/rubbing however, as you can see from above, I do have some worms living within the filtration system (mainly on the heater) and I believe it is these causing the fish to respond by flicking etc. Inititally I treated the tank with Sterazin and then Protozin when I was under the impression that there was a microscopic parasite causing the fish to respond negatively; this treatment didn't improve the situation at all.
Since finding the worms on the heater, I've started treating for crustacean parasites (by applying Waterlife Parazin). This treatment has made the flicking/rubbing much more infrequent however it hasn't stopped it completely.
I have two questions regarding this treatment:
1. Some of it's ingredients seems to cause (either directly or indirectly) the ammonia level to rise within 24 hours. As you may know, ordinarily you would do a water change to lower the ammonia level, BUT I cannot do this as it will also lower the concentration of the Parazin treatment. What should I do to ensure the ammonia level stays at 0 ppm and the treatment remains effective?
2. Are there any other treatments which are more effective and which do not cause an ammonia rise?
Mark.
