Can anyone ID this parasite?

[FLfishGuy]

Trying to ID this parasite that was on my clown by the eye.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Trying to ID this parasite that was on my clown by the eye.

Looks like an isopod and if parasitic version can latch onto gills and cause issues. Discard

 

[FLfishGuy]

I've had the fish for about a week and just noticed it. Did a FW dip and he fell off after about 30 seconds or so.

Already discarded and thanks for the super quick response.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Trying to ID this parasite that was on my clown by the eye.

If it came from the fish and wasn't just incidental in the dip, it was probably a Cirolanid isopod.

These are the most common pest of this group seen in marine aquariums. These micro-predators often make their way into aquariums through the introduction of fresh live rock. Treating the affected fish themselves fails because these predators are capable of leaving the fish and living free in the aquarium until the treatment is concluded. In one European public aquarium, populations of these organisms had become established in their systems over many years. The symptoms of their presence was seen indirectly; each morning, the fish were noted to be hanging near the surface of the aquariums, exhibiting pale coloration and obvious discomfort. What was happening was that each night, these isopods would emerge from the rockwork and begin feeding on the skin of the fish. In this extreme case, the resolution was to use risky, very strong poisons to remove the isopods. Home aquarists typically find that setting nightly baited traps to remove the isopods, although time consuming, is a safer means to control this issue.

Jay

 

[FLfishGuy]

If it came from the fish and wasn't just incidental in the dip, it was probably a Cirolanid isopod.

These are the most common pest of this group seen in marine aquariums. These micro-predators often make their way into aquariums through the introduction of fresh live rock. Treating the affected fish themselves fails because these predators are capable of leaving the fish and living free in the aquarium until the treatment is concluded. In one European public aquarium, populations of these organisms had become established in their systems over many years. The symptoms of their presence was seen indirectly; each morning, the fish were noted to be hanging near the surface of the aquariums, exhibiting pale coloration and obvious discomfort. What was happening was that each night, these isopods would emerge from the rockwork and begin feeding on the skin of the fish. In this extreme case, the resolution was to use risky, very strong poisons to remove the isopods. Home aquarists typically find that setting nightly baited traps to remove the isopods, although time consuming, is a safer means to control this issue.

Jay

Thanks for the response. Fish was glass surfing on the one side, not swimming like it's usual self and seemed all around agitated. I did a close visual inspection and noticed that isopod (didn't know it was an isopod at the time or even if it was a parasite) above the eye and did a dip and watched it release into the bowl. I did pick up some gulf live rock so what you are saying makes sense.

I am very new to this. Can you please share a link to the trap or explain further? I know I can research this myself but 40 point of views are at times rough to decipher. It sounds like you have encountered this and have a path to success. Thanks again.

 

[FLfishGuy]

I was looking up the stinky trap method with a water bottle and inverted cone top to trap them inside. I will try this tonight unless a better suggestion comes about.

Also, will cleaner shrimp or any other livestock take care of these?

I have a 40 breeder DT that has had livestock for one month. System has a 20 long sump and roughly 50 gallon total volume.

Current deliberate stocking
2 ocellaris clowns
5 hermit crabs
2 nassarius snails

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I was looking up the stinky trap method with a water bottle and inverted cone top to trap them inside. I will try this tonight unless a better suggestion comes about.

Also, will cleaner shrimp or any other livestock take care of these?

I have a 40 breeder DT that has had livestock for one month. System has a 20 long sump and roughly 50 gallon total volume.

Current deliberate stocking
2 ocellaris clowns
5 hermit crabs
2 nassarius snails

I don't think that cleaner shrimp will eat these isopods, but they must have some predator, else the ocean would be full of them (grin).

Jay

 

[FLfishGuy]

I don't think that cleaner shrimp will eat these isopods, but they must have some predator, else the ocean would be full of them (grin).

Jay

Well, I guess time to put work aside and get to googling an isopod eating machine.