|
|
FAQs on Parasitic Marine Worm Diseases: Tapeworms/Cestodes
Related Articles: Marine Parasitic Disease,
Parasitic Worms, Roundworms,
Related FAQs: Fish Worm Diseases 1,
Marine Worm Parasites 2, Marine Worm
Parasites 3, & FAQs on Marine Worm Parasites:
Diagnosis/Symptomology,
Etiology/Prevention, Cures That
Don't Work, Cures That Do Work,
Products/Manufacturers...
Flukes/Trematodes,
Leeches/Hirudineans, "Other" Worms
and Worm-Like Parasites...
Paravortex/Black Spot Disease, Anthelminthics/Vermifuges...
De-wormers (Piperazine, Praziquantel...) &
FAQs, Yellow Tang Disease,
Parasitic Disease 2, Parasitic Disease
3, Parasitic Marine Tanks,
Parasitic Reef Tanks,
Cryptocaryoniasis, Marine Ich,
Marine Velvet
Disease Biological Cleaners,
Treating Parasitic Disease,
Using Hyposalinity to Treat Parasitic Disease,
Roundworms, Yellow Tangs,
Tang Health/Disease, |
|
Parasitic worms
I need some help! My Hawaiian Dragon Eel
stopped eating.
I notice that he has thin, tan worms all over
his body. The worms are about an inch in size. The part that
doesn’t hook into the eel ends in a point.
Please tell me what
I can do to treat this. I know eels are sensitive to many forms of
treatment. He is a full size eel. Thanks so much for any advice
you can give. Kelly
<Mmm, need to have a definitive
identification of these worms... to the phylum level. I suspect
they're flukes of some sort, and could be treated with an
organophosphate. I suggest a pH-adjusted freshwater dip (that will
likely result in a bunch "letting go" for microscopic exam.) at this
point. Be careful with netting the specimen and keep the dip tank
covered and heavily aerated during this procedure. The dip by itself
will not effect a cure... as the worms are likely of a type that
have direct development and will still be present in various stages
in the main tank when/if you return the eel. Bob Fenner> Re:
Parasitic worms
Hi Bob,
<Hi Kelly>
Thanks for your
response. I did do the freshwater dip. It took 18 minutes for the
leeches to let go. (not die, just let go). Yes, I did say
leeches. I took some of the specimens to an aquarium today. I was
told that they were leeches.
<Easy to see with some magnification
(and specimens!)>
Unfortunately, these leeches like to live in
the substrate. I had 200 pounds of sand and crushed coral in my
tank. Well, with some help, I actually removed all the substrate
and bought more live rock. The substrate is totally infected with
these leeches. Just looking at them makes my skin crawl. I am
treating the substrate with Clout in a separate container.
<This
should "do it">
There are no more of these leeches visible in the
tank. Although, he does have two of the leeches on him. Compared
to the hundred that were all over him yesterday, I consider this a
huge accomplishment. Once the eel settles down and does not appear
so stressed, I will try to pick off the two remaining leeches. This
has been a very long project, but is well worth the effort to save
this beautiful eel.
<Yes>
We have a Titan trigger fish with
the eel. She was sick in the past and had to be quarantined. We
now think she was being infected by the leeches as well. Since last
night when we gave the eel a freshwater dip, the Titan has been
extremely protective of the eel. She lies right beside him. If I
am working in the tank near to the eel, she goes completely
ballistic. I have to say a full size Titan trigger and full size
Hawaiian dragon eel are a nice match. Although, I would not add
anything else with them.
Take care Bob.
Kelly
<Thank you
for the progress report. Bob Fenner> |
Tape
worms
Hello Guys;
In the past 1 1/2 weeks, my Purple Tang has
passed 2 or 3 (2 1/2") long, clear "worms' that are about the thickness
of 1/64". Under magnification, they appear to have a half circle head
(like a round head screw). At first I was not concerned, but I noticed
that during and after the last one was passed, the tang was not behaving
normally. It would repeatedly swim into the flow of a power head then
dive to the other end of the tank again and again. I have had the fish
for 3 years and it is very healthy, good color, etc. I also noticed that
its fins were not fully extended but not clamped either. The two
Ocellaris Clowns and the Orchid Dottyback look fine. I was thinking of
treating with garlic.
Your thoughts please?
<Wouldn't hurt... but
don't promote its use as a treatment either>
I have 3 tanks and like
feeding frozen foods. Is there a way I can prevent the spreading of
parasites from tank to tank via my hand or the food i.e. will normal
washing between tanks work and should I cut the cube food into pieces or
just rinse it in cold water between tanks?
<Best not to "wet" the
feeding gear or ones hands in-between systems>
I do not want to
transfer ick, worms, etc.
Is it safe to dip my hands into either
Permanganate or formaldehyde solutions?
Thank you,
Tim
<Not
necessary or advisable to use these... one will stain, the other is a
biocide (kills all life). All considered, more important to do ones best
on all fronts per here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mardisease.htm and learn to not worry
about these extreme aspects of vector control.
Bob Fenner>
Re: Tang Scratching Normal?
>Thanks for the reply Marina,
after much searching I'm coming to the conclusion that these spots
were some type of nematode don't know if they were what caused the
demise. After looking at it a bit more I can see them causing the
scratching but they weren't around the gills or any critical portion
of the fish. Just sitting under the skin.
>>You're quite welcome,
even though I'm sorry I have provided little/no help. I did forward
your email to some others (as noted), and I spent a good 45 minutes
this morning doing some searching, but everything I found indicated
that one would have some other external symptoms, not just the
creatures you observed subcutaneous. In one of the links I found,
they did note, however, that with trematodes (can't recollect which
ones right now) copper wouldn't garner results, I believe they did
outline what would help, though. I'd consider q/t'ing the others
ASAP and treating. Good luck! Marina
<Curiosity begs the
question: have you any training (biology or medical, perhaps) that
has given you access/skills in performing a post-mortem? The vast
majority of hobbyists don't have tools/equipment for such a
procedure.>
Other than some biology classes years ago in college
not really. I've been an avid fisherman and fish keeper most of my
life so kinda know what's supposed to be there and what's not.
Post-mortem was done with some Exacto knives and a 30x microscope
from Radio Shack that I keep around to check out small life forms in
the tank.
Thanks
Paul
Re: Tang Scratching Normal?
>Hey again,
>>Good morning, Paul. As you see above, I'm sending
this to some others on "The Crew".
>Thanks for the info this is
just an update not a very happy one but am on a fact finding
mission. Found the hippo this morning dead in his favorite hidey
hole.
>>That was a rather quick demise. What a shame.
>While
performing an autopsy found small black worm like organisms under
his skin. There is no visible head or tail just a skinny worm all
coiled up. (can't get a picture as they are too small for naked eye)
I know this isn't much info for an ID but was just wondering if
anyone would care to make a guess on this. (am worried for the other
fish in the tank.)
>>I would worry as well. I personally am not
familiar at all with this, clearly one would have to guess parasitic
infection of some sort. I own one book one fish diseases,
not-so-handily stored away. I'm going to kick this to Bob (or anyone
else willing) and see what they think. I've never experienced
anything like this. Curiosity begs the question: have you any
training (biology or medical, perhaps) that has given you
access/skills in performing a post-mortem? The vast majority of
hobbyists don't have tools/equipment for such a procedure.
>There
were no external signs (other than scratching) before he expired,
eating, breathing, swimming normal.
>>Yes, I remember. This is,
at this point, quite puzzling. I'm sorry, and am also concerned for
the rest of your residents. I'm going to suggest trying some other
sites as well, http://www.reefs.org (the archives, library, and
forums), http://www.thereeftank.com IIRC there are some folks with
scientific backgrounds who frequent these places. One gentleman by
the nick of Galleon is one such who comes to mind. (He knows me as
Seamaiden should you find him.) I'm in the process of searching via
Google, I've found this initial link-->
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/parasiti.htm
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FA033 And some others that may (or may not
be) helpful.
http://www.petlibrary.com/marinetrematodes.htm
http://www.wonbrothers.com/product/DrAqua/parasitic_diseases.htm
http://www.mysteries-megasite.com/main/bigsearch/parasites.html
Best of luck to you! Marina
>Thanks again, Paul
>P.S. There is
a utility out on the web called REEFCON
http://www.infinitysoft.net/ReefCon/ that is GREAT for logging and
keeping track of your tank. It also has a very nice reference
section with pictures and some info on keeping for a ton of
critters. Will also control X-10 equip if you have it. I suggest
this to all my friends who keep tanks as there is a free version and
the pro version ($19.00 for one version or $32 for current and all
upgrades) cheap in my book.
>>Thank you, we'll pass this on!
>>Folks, I am entirely unfamiliar with what this man has described
in his post-mortem on his Hippocampus. Anyone who has any ideas, or
is familiar. ANYTHING, please weigh in with your opinion. I'm having
little luck finding information on anything but the most common
maladies one may experience with their specimens. Could we be
talking about monogenean trematodes (flukes) of some sort?
Thanks, Marina<<
<A distinct possibility. Is there someone you
can borrow a 30 or higher microscope (dissection type preferably) to
give you/us an idea of the gross morphology of these worms? Bob
Fenner>Re: Tang Scratching Normal?
I may be able to go
to the local Community College and borrow a microscope for an hour
or so, if not have some friends that work at a hospital and will see
if I can sneak in there with a sample. *grin* Will see about that in
the next few days and see if I can get a picture.
<Good. If you
can, bring a single edged razorblade (or scalpel) to make a cross
section near the head end (a tri-radiate esophagus is indicative of
nematodes for instance)>
(have frozen the fish we'll see how well
the samples kept) All other fish in the tank still looking good.
Once again the dots look like a black ropey worm all coiled up in a
clear membrane. After opening the membrane the animal that comes out
is about 1-2mm long and looks kinda like a very skinny black
earthworm.
Thanks
Paul
<Likely Cestodes (tapeworms), but
we'll see. Bob Fenner> Re: Tang Scratching Normal?
Hello again,
Well just got back some info from an instructor at
the local CC where I sent the sample with a friend. Good call Bob
he said that it was some kind of tapeworm but didn't know the exact
species and that he didn't think that they would have caused the
death of my fish.
<Maybe a contributor to some extent>
So I
guess this is one of those that I'm just going to have to chalk up
to experience and make sure that the wife doesn't buy me any more
fish presents *grin*. Thanks for the help must say I'd have a lot
harder time getting this tank started without your book and the web
site.
thanks again
Paul
<Glad to be of assistance>
P.S.
Just got Anthony's book in the mail and am looking forward to
studying it so I can get planning on my coral to add to this tank
and am waiting for the new book to arrive.
<Know you will enjoy,
benefit by them. Bob Fenner> |
- Wasting
Disease -
<Hello, JasonC here...>
Hi crew, have a problem I
haven't been able to find much on. Have a Sebae clown, wild caught,
about 4 years old; always been in perfect health.
Recently, I moved
him to a larger tank, fish with some inverts, no anemones (yet). About 2
weeks later he developed Popeye, one eye, which I successfully treated
with Epsom (thanks!). He still has a good appetite, even still has that
pearly iridescence around the white bands that fresh-caught clowns have,
BUT, he is beginning to lose mass; first, developing the typical pinched
forehead, now progressing rearward both above and below the lateral
line; no other clowns in the tank, other specimens unaffected. He eats
and comes out less but is otherwise still pretty normal. <So you do see
the fish eating... it would seem to me with the other occupants, this
fish might be getting less that its fill.> His offered diet hasn't
changed, if anything is better because I am feeding a large French and
Atlantic blue tang, and very wary of HLLE, so they eat better than I do.
My past experience is that this guy is headed for checkout, but its been
a while, and if there is anything I can do I want to do it, so,
suggestions? <Well, isolation might help - make sure the fish is eating
well and without competition from the larger fish. Also, because this is
a wild fish, it is also more likely that it has an internal parasite (or
two) that are competing for the same nutrients, quite possibly nematodes
or Cestodes [tapeworms]. Both can be treated - you should be able to
obtain Praziquantel [for the Cestodes] and/or Fenbendazole [for the
nematodes] from your local veterinarian. I would work with one of these
at a time, and administer in baths for 2-3 hours. More information on
these treatments can be found in the Edward Noga book, Fish Disease,
which while expensive is very complete... and an eye-full.> Thanks,
Steve J.
<Cheers, J -- >
|
|
