Suspected Parasite In New Fish

[someguy]

bought a new keyhole from lfs, she is about 10-12 cm long and just didn't look right. This only became apparant after a few days - looked normal when stressed and blotchy.

Today I've noticed what looks like small worms attached to her scales. Her scales look odd too, like they're sticking out slightly, but keyhole have obvious scale definition so I thought it was that.

currantly she's in a four foot tank with another keyhole, cories, brigs, horseface, uaru, pearl gourami, bristlenoses, I can't tell you water parameters off the top of my head, but 'fine' [i know, that means virtually nothing ] no quaranteen tank dammit.

I'm thinking maybe anchor worm?

we've put her in a jug with the spare heater, we'll take her back to the fish shop tomorrow for advice/meds
We're quite attached to this fish, she's a real character and we don't want to lose her

Help?

 

[WILDER]

Do the worms have a fork tail, the scales how far are they sticking out, as parasites can cause bacterial infection, does the fish also look bloated, or do you think the parasites have raised the scales.
Anchor worms meds are very strong and they will wipe the bacteria out in the tank.

 

[someguy]

the fish isn't bloated, I was just trying to give as much info as possible.

Talked to the lfs and they said keyholes don't get anchorworm. Don't know if thats true but they described exactly what the white thready things looked like and said she's 'sliming up' and is stressed. I think they're probably right since I can't see the threads today.

So I was over reacting!

We're going to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't get too stressed. Nothing in the tank will do anything particularly aggressive so while she still eating and not hiding or showing the very strong keyhole stressed patterns we'll leave her there.