Black ich on queen angel?

ECKIM250 · May 11, 2023

Hello! I recently got this juvenile queen angel and put him in observation quarantine. He hasn’t eaten in a week and I’ve tried everything. (Nori, clams, silversides, mysis, brine, etc). Then when I looked closer, he had little black dots on him. He shivers every once in a while and its eye moves side to side rapidly. Any help is appreciated!

fishguy242 · May 11, 2023

#fishmedic

vetteguy53081 · May 11, 2023

ECKIM250 said:
Hello! I recently got this juvenile queen angel and put him in observation quarantine. He hasn’t eaten in a week and I’ve tried everything. (Nori, clams, silversides, mysis, brine, etc). Then when I looked closer, he had little black dots on him. He shivers every once in a while and its eye moves side to side rapidly. Any help is appreciated!

Yes- does appear to be turbellian worms and likely the Paravortex version which are smaller and appear as grains of black spots

These worms have a single host life cycle producing several juveniles which can last up to 30 days but rarely do. Best is to treat with Praziquantel better known as prazi pro for and apply initial dosage known as an interval for 8 days, do a water change and do one more 8 day dose interval
Other option is formalin based medication such as quick cure or ruby Rally Pro starting with a bath for 45 minutes followed by treatment. If none available immediately, you can give fish a 5 minutes freshwater dip for temporary relief same temperature as display tank.
It takes one worm to start an infestation even if fish were quarantined
Do note that Prazi will lower both oxygen and appetite, so an airstone is recommended for added aeration and monitor water quality during treatment with a reliable test kit.

Jay Hemdal · May 11, 2023

I’ve never seen turbellarians on Atlantic angels, but it could have picked them up going through a wholesaler’s system before coming to you.
I’m more worried about the fish not eating - that isn’t a typical symptom of turbellarians.
If the water tests out good, I guess a prazi treatment is the logical next step.
Jay