Unwanted Leeches

[emmaisaguppy]

I got home from work today to find a dead dwarf gourami and a lot of little worm things. Have removed him from tank and as many of the worms as I can but there are still some in there. Please can someone tell me if these ar fish worms? Is there a de-worming treatment for the rest of the fish? would these have been livng in my fish and then come out when he died? The worms (if thats what they are) were all around the dead fish - which as you can see doesn't look like he was attacked or eaten or anything.

All fish were fine lst night when I did water chnage. Water stats were fine except for nitrate which was 10mg/l rather tha the usual 0-5 mg/l.

I have attached pictures for people to help to id.

All help appreciated.

 

[TigerLotus]

From your second picture I would say that it is a leech or some type of one. It looks like when it moves it makes the upside down u shape. They also look too plum to be any other worm or neomotde that are coming to mind. When you found your fish dead was he lying on the bottom of the tank. If so I would guess that, that is were the majority of the worms probably are, and figured it was an easy feed.(if you havent seen them before) There isnt much I can say on this, becuase I never experieced this type of worm before nor have heard of them being in freshwater tanks. I think there primraly in ponds. I found three links that talk about leechs that may help, If not you now have some good 411 on leechs

Leech

Leech2

Leech3


Oh and i think that the rise in nitrate was probably because of the fish death.


I'm sorry for you loss and wish I coud help more...good luck

Mr. Gourami

 

[emmaisaguppy]

Fish was dead at the bottom.

How did they get there and how do I get rid of them? i don't want all of the fish to die!!!

 

[WILDER]

Whats your location.
If uk anti crustaceon med by interpet.
Warning this med will wipe all the benefical bacteria out in the filter.
If you have an old filter I would run that with filter floss.
Remove your mature filter and keep it running it old tank water in a bucket a heater also in the bucket will help.
Leeches can soon kill a small fish as they suck all the blood out of the fish.

 

[emmaisaguppy]

location: hertfordshire UK

I'm not sure what filter floss is? Also I don't have a spare heater.

I think you are telling me to keep my old filter cartridge in some tank water while i treat the tank but then to return it to the tank afterwards?? How long would this take? Would I use a new filter in the tank in the meantime?

Will this treatment harm the fish at all?

I think my Ram has been bitten he looks a bit anaemic! There is no leech attached to him though.


I can't understand how they got in there1 I have had no new plants or anythin recently so they must hae been there for ages.

 

[WILDER]

Leeches can be fetched in by unsterlised plants.http/www.tropicalfishisland.com/tropical...pical-fish.htmlNo 12 Anti Crustacean & Parasite 100mlANTI CRUSTACEAN PARASITE No 12 : Eliminates anchor worm, fish lice, gill maggots and leeches. Larger higher level parasites can be introduced into the aquarium on new fish or plants. They cause life-threatening damage and should be eradicated quickly.Crustacean parasites are very difficult to eradicate so this treatment is powerful. Therefore, take care to carefully follow all instructions and note all warningsFor use with coldwater and tropical fish in marine and freshwater systemsWARNING: This treatment negatively affects biological filtration.Damages PlantsDo not use with UV filtersDo not use below pH 6.5For Marines, use only in separate treatment aquarium Use only if sure of diagnosis




Yes best to get the filter out if you have s spare one to run, attach an airstone and pump to the tank aswell.
What fish do you keep as not all fish can tolerate salt to well.
Filter floss or matting its white that you put in your filter to remove fine particles from the water.

http/www.aquatics-online.co.uk/catalogue...asp#product1555

 

[emmaisaguppy]

I have neon tetras, pentazona barbs, and Rams.

Thanks for the advce - will g to the lfs this morning and get treatment and spare filter etc...

 

[WILDER]

Wouldn't bother with the salt if you are getting the med.
Good luck.