I'm in need of advice as to what to do about my "infestation" of anchor worms. I have lost three fish so far and another has at least one starting to show. So, some background...
I have a 29 gallon tank, and currently I have a dwarf gourami (who is showing signs of anchor worms, after his counterpart, a molly and a killi have died), 5 killis and a pleco left. I want to save these fish and restore my tank back to health, but I don't know where to start.
I have a 10 gallon that is not affected and nothing has crossed tanks. This tank is full and I'm not willing to risk it. I am coming upon a 10 gallon tank from a friend in a day or two which I plan to use to quarantine these fish so I can take care of the 29. I have a 5 gallon in reserve but I'm not sure if I'd like to use it or wait for the 10.
I have read everything from salt baths to dosing them with medicine, there is one chemical a friend suggested, potassium permanganate, that is supposed to deal with anchor worms specifically. So, say I treat all the fish individually, quarantine them in a bare tank and watch them for a month or so, what do I do about the larvae and eggs still floating around in my tank in the mean time? Do I clean all of my ornaments, plants and gravel, filter, airlines, every single thing? Or treat it with medicine or let the life cycle die off?
I appreciate any and every shred of help or answers to my questions.
Thank you,
Stephen
I have a 29 gallon tank, and currently I have a dwarf gourami (who is showing signs of anchor worms, after his counterpart, a molly and a killi have died), 5 killis and a pleco left. I want to save these fish and restore my tank back to health, but I don't know where to start.
I have a 10 gallon that is not affected and nothing has crossed tanks. This tank is full and I'm not willing to risk it. I am coming upon a 10 gallon tank from a friend in a day or two which I plan to use to quarantine these fish so I can take care of the 29. I have a 5 gallon in reserve but I'm not sure if I'd like to use it or wait for the 10.
I have read everything from salt baths to dosing them with medicine, there is one chemical a friend suggested, potassium permanganate, that is supposed to deal with anchor worms specifically. So, say I treat all the fish individually, quarantine them in a bare tank and watch them for a month or so, what do I do about the larvae and eggs still floating around in my tank in the mean time? Do I clean all of my ornaments, plants and gravel, filter, airlines, every single thing? Or treat it with medicine or let the life cycle die off?
I appreciate any and every shred of help or answers to my questions.
Thank you,
Stephen
