CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Ok...I usually never have a problem with parasites or worms but I got one! Finally caught up with me. The worms I have are in great numbers and all over the glass sides of the tanks. They are very, very small but are all over and look like crap. The water is still clear but my fish are hurting I know!They are not on the fish though that I can see. Two of my pl*cos(gold nugget & royal:( have died as a result of this and now I'm worried about my Jewels. They are showing signs of fin rot and breathing quite quickly. I've tried just about every med. they have and they are still on the sides of the tank. Even frequent and LARGE H2O changes are not getting rid of them. Help me ya'll please! Any suggestion will be appreciated.
Chuck

Hi Chuck,

Sorry to hear about that. Either go to local pet store and ask for some fish that specialize in parasites/worms etc...but truth is you'll probably have to do a 100% water change. ie, take your fish out, empty aquarium clean it all out etc...Are they Mosquito Larvae? the mosquito will start out as worm larvae than go into a "Tadpole" like stage and then form into a kind of 'stick' where wings grow off etc...i had plenty but I think my convicts and convict fry must have ate some since I didn't see to many worms and lot's of the tadpoles where mangled up and dead. or do you know for sure it's not mosquitos?(if they are, i recommend you keep a screen over your aquarium to keep insects from laying eggs in there.

Joe
www.cichlidfish.com

Too late! R.I.P. It was not mosquitoe larvae, very familiar with them. I think it was a combo of a parasite & a fungus. I did do a 100% water change but it was too late. Did the full change about 1 week to late when 1 of my pl*cos got real sick. I washed out the gravel real well but I did not sterilize them, ie. boil the gravel. I believe the water was contaminate by feeders. ARGHH! Had to learn the hard way.

Hi Chuck,

So all of the fish in the tank died, not any survivors? Did you notice any parasitic worms sticking to them?

Joe

Planaria was the problem w/ associated ick. Yea I know I know, don't over feed them! I've seen people preach about it a thousand times over and over & I still fricken did it! Stupid Stupid Stupid! awefioa afoie wsodk onas esdkfn (sound of head hitting the keyboard. Well I know the cause of the problem now and it won't happen again. Other than that if you see food floating around in the tank, take it out immediately! If you hesiate it will lead to these little worms. I'm still doing work on the tank experimenting to what gets rid of them the best IE. different meds and nothing has worked yet...they have decrease in number with the water changes but I will kepp ya"ll in touch with my progress.
Chuck

Hi Chuck,

Have you tried a product called "Clout"? I havn't used it personally but its supposed to be effective medication for the treatment of parasitic and protozoan infestations of freshwater and saltwater aquarium fish. Treating ick, Hydra, Leeches, Planaria, Hexamita, Epistylis, Trichodina, Tetrahymena, Body Fungus, Argulus (Louse), Flukes and Anchor Worms. Good luck with getting your tank clean of them.

Joe
www.cichlidfish.com

I've had this same problem with my old cichlid, it's a Kenyi, but it didn't seem to suffer from any of those clear worms. It just kept on jerking. Unfortunately when I was changing water, I put the water too hot and the fish died. Pretty much I missed it, because it was so intelligent. Whenever I put the rocks on one side, it shovels the rocks back to the place where it wanted it to be. I'm sure it's a male because it's yellow. Most likely it's a Kenyi. I bought a new one though, costed me up to $100 to prepare for the new one to come in though. The new one seems more shy than the old one. Hangs over at the middle to bottom. Anyway, the worms were because I didn't change the water, but just added it. They are some kind of parasites. I have to research on it. Those worms are known to get most likely gold fish sick. Well, just like cichlidfish said, they're parasites.

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[This message has been edited by Robert00022 (edited 01-14-2001).]