Common Cray Parasites

[showjyr]

I was watching my new common cray eating tonight and saw something a little strange. Right near his mouth there are 2 white colored worm looking things(not part of his mouth). One above it and one kind of off to the side. I don't know what kind of external parasites crays can get but are there any parasite treatments out there that are safe for crays?

 

[Invader Xan]

I know that Crays and (more often) Lobsters in the wild often have parasites, and they tend to be white worm-looking things that cling to their mouthparts. Unfortunately, I don't have a clue how to treat them. Trouble is, though they look kinda wormy, some of these parasites are actually a type of crustacean, so it's difficult to treat without harming the cray...

 

[fishwatcher]

My crawdad (Mr. Crabs) had them when I first got him. They never hurt anything, so I left them. Now that he's molted 2-3 times they are gone, though. I wouldn't worry about them, though they are kind of ugly!

 

[showjyr]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to try and find out what they are.