Internal parasites from live food?

[vombatus]

How often do fish get internal parasites from live bloodworms or blackworms? Sometimes I see little flatworms (leaches maybe) in the container when I get live food. If I see any I don't let them go into the tank. But I bet I have missed some. Are they potentially dangerous?

I'm just worried because I am treating my elephant nose for internal parasites and I'm wondering if he got them from eating live food in my tank, or if he probably had them before I took him home. I don't know if he is wild-caught but I assume so. I want to know if feeding live food increases the chances of internal parasites. He loves his squirmy wormies much better than he likes the frozen.

 

[silentcircuit]

Yes, it is possible to get internal parasites from live food, and much less likely they will get in via frozen food... but I feed pond snails all the time and don't have issues. Normally the really bad stuff when dealing with wild caught fish -- my experience is with Green Spotted Puffers, which are all wild caught and notorious for getting internal parasites --was already there when you got them.

I treat my puffer with Praziquel every 6 months or so. Doesn't seem to bother him, and gives me peace of mind.

 

[vombatus]

Thanks! Will look into Prazi. Doing Metronidazole right now, hoping for the best.