Fish lice?   4/1/06
Hello. <Hi. Tom with you> About a week ago a purchased 2 Fantail Goldfish and 1 Platy. I have all of these fish in a tank together. <Not a good plan, Savanna. The Goldfish require very different water conditions than the Platy does which may have led to stressing this particular fish.> The other day I started to notice on my Platy white bumps all over it's tail. Then yesterday I noticed 1 huge bump on the back of the fish. Today I found 4 new bumps on the left side of the fish. These bumps are white and about 1-3mm wide. I have no clue what is going on, but I did take the Platy out of my tank and put him in a separate one by himself. Tell me what's going on; is it fish lice? <Your Platy almost certainly has Ich. Fish lice are quite a bit larger than you describe (visible to the naked eye) and are dark (brown or green) in coloration. Frankly, that's not all bad since Ich is much easier to treat. You do want to be prompt with the treatment, however. Lots of information here in WWM on the course of treatment. I'd highly recommend heat and aquarium salt as your Platy will be very tolerant of both. Tom>

Fish Lice Causing Major Problems    3/27/06
Hello.  I came upon your site by accident--researching copepods.   My problem is grave at best.  3 wks ago noticed my Oscar was very  lethargic. I looked  closer and   found what I now know to be copepods on   all over him.  An  
appraisal of tank revealed millions!.  I  have the Oscar- 10", 4-line catfish, 6", Trinidad Pleco 6", and believe it or not,  an Opaline Gourami 3".  These fish are all 2 years old and are in a 68 gal. tank.  They have always  been  together  in progressively  larger  tanks. I  called my fish store,  and was prescribed (!)  Coppersafe (Mardel) .  This seemed to work, but a week later they were  back.  My fish store prescribed Maroxy (Mardel).  Knowing what I do now after what seems years of research,  I don't know why.  Same  results.  So I went to the store again and they said to try one  ANOTHER  medication; Quick Cure (Aquarium Products)  This got rid of  them,  but made my fish have a bluish-white covering (slime?)  even  their eyeballs!  After a 5 day stay in a hospital tank and a MAJ OR tank  cleaning and sterilization--new gravel and decor-- They were home again.   One week has passed and I saw the aggravating bugs again today!!  I  wouldn't care if they did not make my fish miserable--they fly into the walls  and rocks to scratch.  The Oscar cut his head open (2" gash!)  My fish  are my babies and I hate to see them like this.  I feed live goldfish to  the Oscar sporadically, about 3 times a week.  The goldfish have their own  tank especially for this purpose,  and I never mix a new batch with old one--even if its just one or two. No other type of fish has ever been   in feeder tank.  I guess this is where the   pods  came  from.
<Bingo>
Nothing   has been introduced into  the  tank besides  TetraMin food,  Wardley algae discs,  Old Roy dry  dog food (only twice--I felt guilty!  This was at least a year ago) and not more than 4 months ago, some live red worms I had been feeding to an African dwarf frog and some glass catfish.  When I did a thorough tank cleaning about a month later, there were thousands living in the  gravel!   (worms that is,  Texas Tea,  Black  gold.) I eradicated them all with a bleach
sterilization  of tank and all equip.  because frankly it freaked me out to have those  things  (so mmmany!!!) in with my fish.  Now this.  Sorry so  long--
Your site is the bomb!  ANYTHING you can suggest will be greatly  appreciated and your likeness carved from stone to place on my  tank----...   Muchisimas Gracias, Kristan
< The copper medications that you have been using to get rid of the fish lice are not the best way to go. many times the copper levels to kill the parasite are the same levels that kill the fish. I recommend Fluke-Tabs for lice. Follow the directions on the package and retreat as recommended to kill of any new lice that have hatched from eggs. Sometimes medications cannot get to the lice in the egg stage. These lice actually carve holes into your fish as they feed. When the lice are gone you fish have many little wounds that got infected. Treat with Erythromycin or Nitrofuranace. Stop feeding goldfish to prevent further infection. when the medications are finished add carbon to remove any excess medication. The n ad Bio-Spira from Marineland to get the biological filtration going again.-Chuck>

Goldfish and Anchorworms, Continued - 11/19/2005
Sabrina -
<Jen>
Thanks again for the advice, things are going much better for my goldfish (he thanks you too :)
<Ahh, great. Tell him I'm glad he's feeling better.>
I ended up purchasing Parasite Clear Tank Buddies by Jungle and it worked great...
<I've had a few correspondences on Anchorworms in the last few days; can't recall if you were one that removed the parasite with forceps. If not, I feel obligated to mention to you that the parasite can and will drop off on its own when it becomes reproductive, so if you did NOT remove the parasite, consider getting the goldie out of the quarantine now while you can, and go ahead and break down the quarantine just to be safe.>
possible suggestion to anyone else who runs into Anchorworm visitors.
<Good deal, thanks for this.>
Every one else in my larger tank seems to be doing well, no signs of anything yet.
<Excellent. Just keep your eyes open.>
I believe that the Anchorworm may have come from a neon-tetra (since 2 of them have died in close proximity to the parasite popping up).
<Mm, rare that a tetra will bring them in.... more likely that a goldfish brought it with, if you've had any recent introductions. Could even be from plants, substrate, or decor from an infested tank. But it's certainly not impossible that it was the neon/s.>
I am curious though, how long should I keep the goldfish in quarantine?
<If there are no parasites currently on him (Anchorworms are quite visible), he's fine to come out of quarantine now. Though, I still urge you to keep your cool water and tropical fish separate.>
I know that he's looking much better, but I know that could be misleading.
<With very large ectoparasites like these, you can usually tell visually if "all is well". I think he's probably all set. As long as there is no significant wound left from where the Anchorworm was attached, you're good to go.>
As per the directions from the Parasite Clear it says that I could medicate up to 3 weeks with a 25% water change to treat Anchorworms. 
<The fish is fine; it's the system you should have concern for, and then only if you weren't able to remove the parasite from the fish, as it might be reproducing currently.>
After this time, should I keep a longer quarantine? 
<Only if there is cause for concern of a secondary bacterial infection from the wound the Anchorworm left.>
Thanks again, you have been much help since I have never had anything like a parasite infection before in many years of having fish. Now I know where to come for great help! 
<As always, glad to be of service.>
-Jen
<Wishing you well, -Sabrina>

Goldfish, Anchorworm - 11/14/2005
I have a large silver/blue 2 yr old goldfish. I noticed a red spot started to form where the body meets the tail fin. There now is something that is about the diameter of a human hair, white, and forked on the end of it coming out of the infected area. 
<White.... aside from that, I would guess undoubtedly at Anchorworm.... though there are other copepod parasites of fish that are white(er), Anchorworms are usually brownish or reddish.>
With this going on the goldfish is still swimming and eating normally. Today I noticed there is a blood red color descending down the fins from the body.
<Be testing your water quality....>
This sounds like an anchor worm, but I just want to make sure this is the illness.
<Could very well be.>
If this is the case, will I be able to treat the goldfish with out removing it from its tank buddies.
<I would just remove the parasite with forceps, if you become confidant that this is in fact an Anchorworm.>
It is housed in a 20 gal tank with tetras, male guppies, dwarf frogs, and a Plecostomus. 
<Entirely incompatible.... goldfish really fare best with water temperatures much cooler than tropical fish can tolerate.... please take this into careful consideration.>
Please let me know if any photos would aid in this diagnosis.
<A photo is worth a thousand words, as they say....>
<<I thought it was a thousand bytes.... sorry.  Marina>>
Thanks.
<Wishing you well, -Sabrina>

Goldfish, Anchorworm - II - 11/16/2005
Thank you for responding about my goldfish. As for the tank temperature, I usually maintain it around 72 degrees - which everyone seems to be happy with.
<Actually, this is too warm long-term for goldfish and ideally too cool long-term for tropicals. You can "make it work", but best not to "push" things.... someone may end up prone to disease.>
While reading up on the Anchorworms, it said that it could be pulled out with tweezers?
<Yes.... As I mentioned in our previous email.>
What would be the best to perform this with out injuring the fish?
<I would remove the fish from the tank and place in a shallow, small bowl of water, and hold it (carefully, gently) with a thoroughly wet soft flannel cloth, then grab the Anchorworm with forceps/tweezers right at the spot where it's attached to the fish. I would use blunt/rounded tweezers and avoid pointed ones, for the safety of the fish, as it may very well thrash about in the bowl (I know I would).>
Also, would I be able to treat this in the 20 gal tank with the other fish or would it be best to remove him to a 10 gal tank?
<Mm, likely you don't need to treat at all, if this was an isolated occurrence.... I wouldn't add any medication unless you see another or others. If you do, then treating the main tank may be your best option, as there may be others present.>
Thanks
<Wishing you well, -Sabrina>

Goldfish, Anchorworm - III - 11/16/2005
Well I moved the goldfish into a hospital tank and pulled out the anchor worm with tweezers.
<Ah, great!>
I just wanted to find out after medicating the goldfish, will I need to medicate the larger tank as well to make sure that it has not spread to any other fish or frogs?
<Mm, as before, I think you may be able to get by without medicating. Just observe all your animals very closely for signs of other Anchorworms. If you do see another or others, pull it with tweezers, and then consider medicating. Remove the frogs before you medicate; they are extremely sensitive and likely to be killed by medication.>
Also, are anchor worms a goldfish specific parasite or can it be passed from species to species?
<Can be passed to other species of fish. Um, think of them kind of like "ticks" of the fish world.... They don't really care what exactly they're latching onto as long as they get a meal out of it. Just keep your eyes open for more. All the best, -Sabrina>

Goldfish, Anchorworms, Environmental Disease - 11/12/2005
Hi,
<Hello, Ashley; Sabrina with you, today.>
I have a 58 gallon fish tank, Fluval 404 canister filter, UV light, and I do weekly water changes with Stress Coat, StressZyme, and a tablespoon of salt for each 10 gallons. Currently in the tank are 4 fantail goldfish. Recently it was only three. At a pet store I went to a saw the largest white fantail goldfish I have ever seen and I had to have it. At the time it had anchor worms so I put it on hold until the fish was treated and better. When time came to pick it up the fish was all white and some red streaks in the tail and I asked if it was fin rot which they responded that in white gold fish you can see the red streaks sometimes and the fin rot would not be contagious. Is this true? 
<Mm, to an extent.... but I feel it is more likely that the medication that they used for the anchor worms may have left the goldfish slightly damaged.>
It (Samurai) has been a very energetic and happy goldfish until today which is exactly a week later he has been laying on the bottom. He has achieved orange spots which I am guessing is normal.
<Possibly, possibly not.>
But today I noticed on the big tail fin towards the tip is a white fuzzy spot (which I thought at first to be a scab from the removed anchor worms) and the ends looks a little tore up and he is hardly moving. Also my other fish have their top fins down and one of the others tail is starting to look frayed maybe from nipping or from the fin rot if is contagious. I put in MelaFix
<Useless, IMO>
and added 4 tablespoons of salt. What could this possibly be and what should I do?
<First and likeliest things first - test your water for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate; maintain ammonia and nitrite at ZERO, nitrate less than 20ppm, with water changes. If you find that your levels are currently perfect, then you might consider treating with a broad-spectrum antibiotic such as Kanamycin sulfate. I suspect, though, that this is all related to water quality.>
I have had my gold fish for about 3 yrs and I don't want that to change. Thank you so much for all your time and effort.
<And thank you for these kind words.>
Ashley
<Wishing you well, -Sabrina>
<<And as an afterthought....>>
Sorry I made a mistake I don't use tablespoon I use teaspoons. Very sorry I am just worried about my fish!
<<Three teaspoons make a tablespoon!  MH>>
<Oh, no problem. Even at tablespoons, that wouldn't be "too much" salt. All the best, -Sabrina>

Goldfish, Anchorworms, Environmental Disease - II - 11/15/2005
Hey thanks for your help. 
<Sure thing.>
I went to get a full test kit and ammonia is at 0 ppm, the nitrite is almost at 0.0 ppm maybe 0.1,
<Best to try to maintain this at zero.>
the nitrate is between 20 ppm and 0 ppm and the pH looks to be 7.0.
<All good.>
I went to the pet store and the other fish they had in the tank with the one I purchased looked the same as mine and I asked them what it was and they said they believed it to be a protozoan but they said it was not ich. I have no idea what it could be then.
<Many many possibilities.... If you/they are confidant that it is a protozoan parasite, I would consider treating with a formalin/malachite green combination (like Rid-Ich, Rid-Ich+, etc.) or a copper medication (Coppersafe, Cupramine....). Please do read on our website regarding these medications and diseases caused by parasites.>
Thank you, Ashley
<Wishing your fishes all the best, -Sabrina> 

Fish problems, goldfish, Anchorworm  11/9/05
Hi, I'm hoping you can help me because I'm pretty much at my wit's end with my fish keeping experiences. I was given a c.50 L aquarium last Christmas which was bought second hand with all gadgets etc included (filter, heater, potions and lotions etc).
<Heeee!>
I started off, I realize now, a bit ambitiously, going out and buying a tank full of little tropical beauties. All went well for about 2 weeks but then one by one they ALL went through a period of distress and eventual death. By the time I found a website (not this one) that I thought could help me, it was too late. 
Empty tank and extremely guilty/unhappy/distressed fish owner. I printed out a small novel of paperwork telling me what and what not I should do. I realized I'd broken virtually all the gospel no-nos - over feeding and leaving the uneaten food
in the tank, not changing water often enough, panicking when the fish looked unwell and tearing apart their home to try and make it beautiful and clean, too much gravel in the tank. 
So after a month of psyching myself up again, I decided I'd discovered the reasons for my lack of success and if I tried
again, all would be well. This was two months ago. I started off slowly and, as the website suggested, I bought three very very ordinary gold fish and put them into an aquarium I'd set up two days previously.
<Mmm, was this system cycled?>
I followed all the rules and looked after them really carefully. They flourished and were really happy and healthy for a good three weeks. So then I decided it was time to add one more gold fish - this time a little bit fancier (a red and white Ryukin I think). All fine for maybe a week until the new guy just suddenly got sick and died over the space of about 3 days. After that the three gold fish all started to act strangely - clamped fins, erratic movements, loss of appetite and eventual crashing on the bottom. 
<Likely from "something" brought in with/by the new fish>
Two have died and the third, though staying quite perky, is still not well. The thing is, I've just noticed that he has some sort of parasite on him - little strings about 4/5mm long hanging off him.
<Ahh! Likely the crustacean parasite "Anchorworm", Lernaea>
I'm completely gutted as I just feel that everything I do is wrong. I'm pretty much set on never keeping fish again because at this rate, all it has cost me is a lot of disappointment, distress and money. So. Any ideas as to what on earth I'm doing wrong - could it just have been an infected tank to begin with?
<Yes, for sure>
I'd really appreciate your feedback and thank you for your time! Gemma
<Go to the Google search tool on WWM (on the homepage or the indices) and put in the terms, "goldfish" and "Anchorworm"... Treatment at this point, and careful selection, quarantine and acclimation going forward will help you avoid these sorts of troubles. Bob Fenner> 

Few questions about fish lice and quarantine 10/30/05
Hi there,
<Howdy>
I am looking for some advice and would appreciate any that you could give me.  I have a 25 gallon tank that was home to one fantail and one lionhead goldfish. I have had it for 2.5 years (the fish are about the same age) and change 30% of the water every two weeks. According to my testing kit all the water parameters were fine and even when we moved home, they remained stable. 
I keep a base level of aquarium salt in the tank ~2g per gallon. A couple of weeks ago I was stupid - I purchased my very first "new fish" (an Oranda) and some plants. I did not quarantine properly (never again!) - I have excuses but I'll spare you apart from not knowing/reading enough.
<Okay>
The tank got Ich and despite attempts to treat it with salt (7.6g per gallon) and medication -
<Which?>
it got just got worse (temp is low and I was scared to raise it for them). After a week and my fantail becoming riddled with every new outbreak (and his tail basically being shredded by it) I set up two new aquariums (one to hold the very sick fish and one for the other two). Salt, treatment and daily water changes and one week later they are all alive and the fantail seems to be improving (they have remained active and eat fine). However I have noticed that the new Oranda also has lice (or at least a louse) of the type Argulus. 
<"When it rains...">
I have read that the reproduction cycle of these things can be 30-100 days and I firstly am unsure how to treat it and secondly terrified that it has contaminated my big tank (which has now been empty of fish for two weeks). Since this email now seems a bit wooly - I have a few specific questions:
<... Mmm, there are mentions of how to treat (organophosphates... Masoten/Dylox/Neguvon, Dimilin... such crustacean parasites...>
1.Re the 25 gallon aquarium: I threw out 50% of the water from the old tank, boiled the gravel, tossed the toys and plants, raised the temp to 86 deg and am treating the tank for whitespot (with medication). I planned to re-establish their filter, new wood etc for a month after this before putting them back. Is this enough or should I throw out all the water, disinfect and start again? Is there anyway to know if the lice survive in this tank?
<Mmm, only by seeing them as adults on their (fish) hosts...>
2. I would like to put new plants back in the tank but I am not sure how to quarantine plants (I put new a plant in with the Oranda and saw Ich on the plant) 
<Are, can be quarantined as per fishes...>
3. I tried to remove the louse with tweezers but this only resulted in the fish (and me) becoming stressed.
<Practice... best to remove adults in this way>
I put him in a bath of 10mg/L of Potassium permanganate and the louse remained attached to him - it has since 'disappeared' but I am waiting for it to resurface again. Any ideas how to treat this?
<Mmm, use the search tool on parts (e.g. the homepage) of WWM>
There is no gravel or ornaments in this 'hospital tank' but I am not sure if the Argulus could still reproduce. 
<Reproduce while attached...>
I have had the fish for 3 weeks and he just has the one louse at the moment and I haven't seen any signs on the lionhead who shares a tank with him.
Thank you for your time,
Karen
<Unfortunately the Argulus may have "dropped" young, in the system... I would treat with the organophosphate... Maybe start reading here: http://wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/contrpdparasit.htm Bob Fenner> 

Re: Few questions about fish lice and quarantine 11/3/05
Hi again,
<Howdy>
I just wanted to say thank you for the advice. Answering your questions (I just got back from a small vacation) I used two treatments for white spot:  "Anti white spot plus by Interpet" (dose every 4 days) and then changed to King British "white spot control" as it required a dose every two days and I thought that may be better (and seemed to be at low temperatures).
<Am unfamiliar with the ingredients of these products. Such chemical information is posted by name on WWM for your perusal... look on the bottles re contents>
I will have a look at the web pages re: the crustacean parasite (I haven't seen any sign of him since the potassium permanganate episode but as you say there is a chance there are young in the system). I know that we can't get Dimilin in the UK (according to my web searching) but I will search out some medications especially for crustaceans.  Your site is a fantastic source of information and I have searched it for many other questions in the past.
Thanks again.
Cheers,
Karen
<Welcome. I do believe Masoten and its many other names can be had there... This is what I would specifically use. Bob Fenner>

Outside pond fish... possible Lernaeid  10/21/05 <Sabrina, should we post this to the FW goldfish FAQs as well?>
<<I sure think so.  Likely will go into Koi, Pond Fish Disease, Goldfish Disease, and Crustacean Parasitic Diseases.  SCF>>
Hi, this is our first time on your web-site, and we have a question.
We have an outdoor fish pond with 4th generation goldfish!
Today I noticed something on one of the fish.
It is gold in color, protruding ( from under his skin)? or sticking out of his skin, I can't really tell. It looks like a thick wire sticking out.
He doesn't look or act different, eating as normal. I didn't see anything like this on the other five fish.  
Do you think this is some sort of parasite?
<Mmm, possibly... Lernaea... "Anchorworm"...>
What would you suggest we do?
<Mmm... place this/these terms on the WWM, general search engines... read... If this is the cause/parasite, removing the adults by tweezing, inspecting all fishes, using a organophosphate to kill intermediates is suggested. Bob Fenner>
Thanks
Donna

Tadpoles, Anchor Worms? - 09/16/2005
Hello. I recently acquired two new albino bullfrog tadpoles from a local PetSmart. Having worked in a reptile store a couple years ago, I know that PetSmart isn't exactly the place to get healthy animals, but because I had successfully raised another bullfrog tadpole that I got there, I thought it would be fine. Not only are these new tadpoles sickly, lethargic, and tiny (about an inch long still, as compared to my frog who was 3 inches or so) but they each have 3 copepods.
<Hmm....>
I am fairly sure that these are what they are, having skipped my first class of the day (ironically, biology) to do some research. They are about half a centimeter in length, thin, white / clearish yellow in color. They branch at the end.
<Could be parasitic copepods called "anchor worms", Lernaea sp.  Definitely fits your description.>
At first I thought they were small limbs, but unless the tadpoles are infected with trematodes, this wouldn't make sense. If I look really closely, I can see that there is some sort of "pulse" inside of these things...a very tiny one but I don't know how to describe it other than that. In any case, my question is this: could the copepods, if that's what they are, be parasitically harming my tadpoles?
<Yes.  And once reproductive, can be of more concern from greater numbers of them attaching....>
They have both been sluggish and very very weak-looking lately. In fact, if I didn't think that removing the copepods would somehow harm my tadpoles, I would perform a small operation right now. How do I get rid of them?
<Look up some images of Lernaea/anchor worms (many available on the 'net) to verify that's what they are, first.  Then, if so, you can remove these with forceps.>
Thank you so much for your help.
Sincerely,  Marisa
<Wishing you and your frogs-to-be well,  -Sabrina>

Re: Bala bailed... "what we have here is a failure to communicate"... FW disease, parasitic?
And the saga continues!  Let me start by saying I know the importance of quarantining new fish.   I have read the horror stories but for some reason, namely a rainy Saturday, a trip to the local fish store and my quarantine tank is occupied by 2 German Rams that I am treating, I ignored the risks and bought new fish and put them directly in my 45 gallon with everyone else.
<What?>
STUPID MOVE on my part! Everyone is getting along well and new tank mates are happy as little clams when I notice what looks like a bug on my angelfish.  So I call the store where I bought the new fish (2 Kribensis, 2 Cory cats, 1 rainbow shark and 1 rainbow).  They tried to tell me it must be a Lympho-something or other.
I insisted that this showed up immediately after I added the new fish.
So they want me to put my angelfish in a zippy bag and bring it to them.
I am concerned that this will be traumatic to the fish and would rather treat him at home.  Not to mention, what if there are more of these little "bugs" in the tank?  From what I have read, I think it fish lice.
It actually moved overnight from the top of his fin closer to his body so I know it is some kind of creature. I have read that if the lice is visible that you should remove the "bug" with tweezers.  Makes sense that you would want to pluck the thing off, but how do I get my medium size veiled angelfish to be still long enough for me to accomplish this.
Is there some kind of dip I could put him to get the thing off?
<Mmm, no... just hold semi-firmly in a large net, at the water surface>
Also, what, if anything, do I need to do to treat the tank in case there are more of these things?
<... this is posted on WWM... use the search tool>
All of your help has been invaluable and probably
keeps me from giving up the fish keeping hobby all together!
<Good luck to you. Bob Fenner>

Arowana With Anchor Worms - 08/22/2005
I have a Australian Arowana about 8 inches long and he's got anchor worms popping out all over his fins, mouth underside and around his eyes.  I tried to treat him with a product "Life Bearer", a parasite treatment made by "AP PRO" or "Aquarium Products".  
<Active ingredient is Trichlorfon.... should be effective against anchor worms....>
The instructions say not to use on sensitive fish
<Indeed, this is a pretty tough medicine!>
but the guy at the pet store said that if it's not treated it would die anyway.  
<Possible.>
I live in Hawaii and so far all the pet store people have said that this and "CopperSafe" is the only medications available to treat these worms.
<Either of these will do, or you can manually remove the worms, if they are not plentiful.> <<The adults (on the fish) should be removed... with tweezers, help, a wet towel... RMF>>
Could you please give me some guidance on to how I can eradicate these parasites without killing my fish?    
<Praziquantel should work, and is very gentle on fish.  If you cannot find this, I would go with the Trichlorfon - but be CERTAIN not to overdose if you use Trichlorfon....  very important.>
Thank you, Loren
<Wishing you well,  -Sabrina> <<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/contrpdparasit.htm RMF>>

Anchorworm, using WWM 7/7/05
Hi,
Thank you for creating such an informative website. I learned so much from it. :)
I just plucked an anchor worm off the tail of my goldfish. I could not find information of what to do with the goldfish - should I quarantine it or release it back into the container pond? At the moment now, it is in a 1 gallon tank. I don't have space in the townhouse to set up a real QT tank. All the other fishes seem healthy.
Thanks,
Lai Hwa
<... go to the homepage of WWM: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/index.html
put in the term "anchor worm" in the Google search tool...
Bob Fenner>