semi transparent not segmented worm stuck on cichlid

E

eylk

AC Members
Aug 5, 2007
265
0
0
semi transparent not segmented worm stuck on cichlids (two of them)

also, with signs of distorted body and clamped fins , gasping.

too exhausted to even scratch i guess. just lays there. used to twitch fins and stuff..

one is feeding the other is resting on its sides and clouded eyes

HELP !!!!

tried salt bath, copper safe.. didnt work !


thanks
 
Anchorworm (Lernaea elegans)
Description:
The crustacean Lernaea is often called "anchorworm" by aquarists as it anchors deeply in the fish skin with its branched suction organ and has an elongated body without visible limbs. At the back end, there are two sac-like outgrowths where eggs develop.

It takes the eggs between several days and and two weeks to attain maturity. Then they fall off and the larvae hatch. The mother crustacean dies and is repelled from the fish tissue after the eggs have fallen off. The laravae are also parasites and go to the gills of the fish to suck blood. As larvae, they attain sexual maturity there. After mating, the female larvae leave the fish and swim around as planktonic organisms for a short time. Then they find a host and bore their way into its skin.

Treatment: (A summary from several websites)
1. Dimilin Powder
The only known method of killing this parasite, without killing the fish is DIMILIN POWDER which can be used safely at any water temperature and has an action of sterilizing the adult and larval stages of this parasite which insures that all eggs produced, after the application of Dimilin, will not hatch.

Method: Dimilin Powder at the rate of 1 gram per ton of pond water. Measure out the quantity required and mix in a plastic bucket with pond water ensuring that the powder is dissolved then add to the pond in the previous manner. A second dosage may be needed to ensure that the life cycle of the anchor worm has been halted. After this second application the dead adults, which will still be hanging from the fish, can be removed using tweezers but making sure that the hooks, as well as the tail of the anchor worm are removed and then apply a proprietary topical dressing to prevent a secondary infection.

2. Potassium Permanganate
There is another way of removing anchor worm but more care has to be taken when removing all parts of the anchor worm which is to mix a strong solution of potassium permanganate crystals of 1 gram into 25 mls of hot water. Mix well until dissolved and then dip the tweezers into this solution prior to the removal of the anchor worm, once the solution touches the body, the anchor worm releases its grip immediately and it can then be lifted clear of the fish and the water. Wipe the end of the tweezers on a clean tissue to remove all traces before attempting to remove another anchor worm.

3. Sera Cyprinopur
Follow the instructions accordingly. Use Sera Baktopur to treat the wounds of the fish after the anchor worms have been pulled out. When pulling anchor worms out of the fish, firmly grasp the tweezers near its base where it is burying to the skin and quickly pull it out.

 
Are anchor worms very visible?

the worms that are on my fish are very thin and very hard to spot, have to be under the bright aquarium lighting and even then i have to really focus.

They have been sick for about 1 to 2 months. its very bad.

there is no carbon inside the filter.

Will API general cure or interpret anti crustacean work?
it is very differcult for me to get individual chemicals for the treatment. I can only count on commercial medicine...

Thanks!
 
eylk said:
Are anchor worms very visible?
Click to expand...
Yes, they are visible when they cling on your fish but hard to spot swimming around looking for hosts.

Will API general cure or interpret anti crustacean work?
it is very differcult for me to get individual chemicals for the treatment. I can only count on commercial medicine...
Click to expand...

What are the active ingredients of these meds? I don't believe Interpet reveals its ingredients though but is there a claim on its label that it kills anchorworms? It could contain copper sulfate and/or bronopol which are dangerous to the fish.
 
yes it claims to kill anchor worms... uf wadut gas us copper,,, then i dunno if i want to buy it.. co si have tried that...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom