Help Identifying This Creature

[AnthonyMarkH]

Hello.
I am new here, as I wanted to try and identify this creature in my tank. I assume it escaped from the shop when I got my BlacK Moors a couple of weeks ago.
 
Its a little circular thing, that I assume is some kind of pleco perhaps?  It clings to the tales of my fish.
 
I cant a picture as its on my Fan Tales tale at the moment and he is a quick fish that never stops moving, so quickly drew this thing (attached).
 
 
Many thanks in advance,
 
Ant.
 

 

[ncguppy830]

so whats its color then, or is it a gray oval with yellow inside and dots?

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

is it fish lice?
 

 

 
LOL sorry that's so big, I'd hate to gross anyone out

 

[ncguppy830]

i bets what it is, as no plecos dont look like that.

 

[AnthonyMarkH]

Hey guys.
 
Firstly apologies for m tale and tail typos! Was on on the iPad (predictive text).
 
Yes looks like it could be one of those, but it doesnt have the little face at the front. How did it get in my tank and do i need to kill it? It seems to be moving from fish to fish and only staying on their tails. Looks quite cute lol.

so whats its color then, or is it a gray oval with yellow inside and dots?

Pretty much, yes.

 

[ncguppy830]

Both Argulus and Ergasilus can be treated with Lice-Solve. Lice-Solve is a new unique formulation of emamectin specially designed for administration directly either to the pond or tank water. One 12 hour treatment will kill both Argulus and Ergasilusparasites, and it is filter-safe. Keep the water well-oxygenated during treatment

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Waterlife Parazin
 
http/www.waterlife.co.uk/waterlife/parazin.htm

 

[AnthonyMarkH]

upon further inspection the creature is indeed a fish louse. In all my years keeping fish, I have never seen one! Luckily I have a good relationship with my fish and they let me hold them. I rinsed my fantail's tail under the tap and the little louse dropped off down the plug lol. Feel a bit bad for the little blighter.

 

[Alm0stAwesome]

Haha, well glad you got rid of it. I wonder if there are eggs or really small ones in the tank still? Keep a close eye or maybe even treat the tank anyway, just to be safe.

 

[betta fish]

Lol this reminds me of when I first came across these! a long time ago somebody dumped a tank full of gravel near the bins where I used to live, it was in good condition so I took it home and filled it with water, I then went and got two black moors, over the following weeks I noticed their tails had been shredded with blood streaks and then I spotted these cute little critters lol! swimming around and also attaching to their tails I then realised it was them doing the damage and found out exactly what they were! needless to say they were whisked out the tank sharpish and flushed down the bathroom sink, strange thing is they kept on reappearing on the soap!!? they eventually disappeared, no doubt this is why the tank was dumped in the first place. 

 

[mrhidley]

I have dealt with fish lice in a goldfish tank once. Quite often the fish will shake them off, but they can leave large ulcers. If the fish does shake them off, net the lice and get them out of your tank. They lay eggs on flat surfaces, in quite noticeable white dotted lines, scrubbing them with your tank cleaning cloth will kill them. If your fish can't shake them off and you can hold them like you said, the best thing is to remove them by hand from the fish like you have. I would do regular water changes to keep the wounds from becoming infected, then hopefully you can avoid using excess medication.