Hitchhiker In My Tank.. What The Heck Is This?

[FawnN]

Just go a new pleco today and noticed this little guy in my tank.  Can anyone tell me what the heck this is? 

 

[Alasse]

Fish louse i think

 

[FawnN]

Could it be some sort of shrimp?  The head on this guy is more seperate then the fish louse???

 

[Alasse]

Never seen a shrimp like that, it looks to me like a louse
 
http/what-when-how.com/animal-life/subclass-branchiura/

 

[FawnN]

So I'm pretty much screwed, right?  ughhh...

 

[Alasse]

There would be a medication out there to treat. Salt is used for some fish. Google treatments and see what you can find

 

[star4]

Definately a louse, you may find most treatments are for goldfish, there is one listed on the medications on this forum "Fluke Tabs by Aquarium (USA) Trichlorfon & Mebendazole used for Tapeworms, Copepods, Flukes, Lice & Capillaria."
 
In the meantime do a really good gravel vac and water change see if you have anymore in the tank by checking the water you remove. A thorough gravel vac will help to remove some of the eggs.
 
There is information on the net about catching the fish and removing the lice with tweezers, but you could end up doing more harm than good with this method as the hooks of the louse can remain in the skin of the fish causing bacterial infections.

 

[FawnN]

Thanks guys!  Greatly appreciate the advice. 

 

[dave840f1]

Try Cuprazin, louse are a crustacean and Cuprazin usually kills them.