Diamond goby with what appears to be leaches

[jeffrey750750]

This little guy has been in the tank for 6 weeks. He's the most active fish moving sand from one pile to the next. In the past week I've noticed these little black worm like things on his bottom side fins. Nothing on his body. Anyone know anything about this

 

[Rjmul]

Following

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Bump

 

[Jdubyo]

Have they been there for a week? Have you seen them moving on their own? My initial thought was that he was just having some trouble passing a poop! This is just speculation but I wonder if he swallowed a larger diameter grain of sand and is compacted. I hope this is not the case but I will do some digging for you!

 

[jeffrey750750]

Have they been there for a week? Have you seen them moving on their own? My initial thought was that he was just having some trouble passing a poop! This is just speculation but I wonder if he swallowed a larger diameter grain of sand and is compacted. I hope this is not the case but I will do some digging for you!

Thats what I thought a couple days ago, but they don't fall off. Their definitely attached to the fins, away from his body

 

[jeffrey750750]

Have they been there for a week? Have you seen them moving on their own? My initial thought was that he was just having some trouble passing a poop! This is just speculation but I wonder if he swallowed a larger diameter grain of sand and is compacted. I hope this is not the case but I will do some digging for you!

Here's a couple more pictures

 

[jeffrey750750]

Try a video

 

[JasonK84]

 

[jeffrey750750]

Well that doesn't sound good, should I catch the fish and manually remove them

 

[JasonK84]

Well that doesn't sound good, should I catch the fish and manually remove them

In disease treatment forum it is said formalin dips are the treatment. Then watch for secondary infection.

 

[jeffrey750750]

In disease treatment forum it is said formalin dips are the treatment. Then watch for secondary infection.

I will look into that, thank you

 

[JasonK84]

Fish Disease Index - Pictorial Guide

Pictorial Guide to Marine Fish Diseases Use this guide to find a picture that most closely matches your fish's symptoms. Click the link, if available for more detailed information on the disease and how to treat it. Ich (Cryptocaryon Irritans) One of the most well-known parasites in the...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hard to say if those are leeches or egg masses from a copepod....most likely leeches. If you can get formalin, you can give a 45 minute dip at 150 ppm under good aeration. You might try a 5 minute FW dip, but the leeches won’t likely let go. Physical removal is too dangerous to try without sedating the fish first.
Jay

 

[jeffrey750750]

Hard to say if those are leeches or egg masses from a copepod....most likely leeches. If you can get formalin, you can give a 45 minute dip at 150 ppm under good aeration. You might try a 5 minute FW dip, but the leeches won’t likely let go. Physical removal is too dangerous to try without sedating the fish first.
Jay

I have to catch him first, ive had about 10 failed attempts. He's in my newer 180 gallon. Any good ideas how to catch him?

 

[rwreef]

I've had good success with a bait trap. This is using a clear plastic container and some food inside that sits at the bottom of the tank.

 

[Nathan Milender]

Fish are hard to catch, especially ones that have a favorite hole already like most gobies. If you can fill his hole with a trap that would work, otherwise a baited fish trap. I have had really poor luck trying to catch anything that frequents a den.

Also, do you have a cleaner shrimp? Maybe one of those would those right off of it.

 

[jeffrey750750]

I have a coral bandit and a blood shrimp. I'll keep trying to catch him then buy a trap. He has so many different holes under so many rocks. Wish me luck

 

[vetteguy53081]

Detritus worms or round worms. Ruby rally pro will help eradicate these

 

[jeffrey750750]

Detritus worms or round worms. Ruby rally pro will help eradicate these

I'll look that up

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Detritus worms or round worms. Ruby rally pro will help eradicate these

I do not think these are roundworms, from what I can see in the video, they are attached to the fin at one end. That means they are leeches, probably related to Myzobdella. Ruby Reef is not strong enough to control leeches. Ed Noga gives the best treatment as being organophosphates (Dylox for example). I never suggest that, it is too toxic to people. I doubt the FW dip I suggested is strong enough either, but it might make some drop off. Formalin is really the best option.

Jay