Help identify please

[Shooter6]

Hi i am posting these pictures from a fb club. I saw this once back in 1989-90 but never again. Can someone identify and if possible give treatment info. I have not seen these fish in person but my understanding is that this has been going on for at least 1 month possibly longer.

 

[Cherub]

no idea! that looks crazy! Have they tried a freshwater dip?

 

[Shooter6]

no idea! that looks crazy! Have they tried a freshwater dip?

Not my fish just got the pics from a fb group.

 

[Greenstreet.1]

Never seen this. @Humblefish

 

[kresDFW]

It looks like a heavy infestation of anchor worms.

 

[Cherub]

Not my fish just got the pics from a fb group.

I know I read that. Maybe your friend should be posting since they can answer questions.

 

[Shooter6]

I know I read that. Maybe your friend should be posting since they can answer questions.

I suggested they do.

 

[Big G]

Sure looks like anchor worms. Look very closely to see if the tail has a slight V shape. A common problem for koi. So search out a local koi seller/breeder for Dimilin.

From Humblefish's treatment guide:

Anchor Worms:

Symptoms - Anchor worms appear as red or inflamed skin irritations with little whitish-green worms sticking out. The tail of the worm makes a V. Often a fish will rub on rocks and sand in an attempt to dislodge the worm(s).

Treatment options - You have to manually remove all the anchor worms by using tweezers. Afterwards, apply a topical antibiotic to the affected areas. Dimilin will eradicate anchor worm eggs in a quarantine tank, but the medication is not reef safe.

 

[Humblefish]

Sure looks like anchor worms. Look very closely to see if the tail has a slight V shape. A common problem for koi. So search out a local koi seller/breeder for Dimilin.

^^ This; The tail end of an anchor worm will look like what you see below:

However, being anchor worms are rare in saltwater fish (except for sharks & rays), it's probably something else. I have some ideas, but performing a 5 min FW dip on this fish will at least tell us whether or not these are worms: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

 

[Shooter6]

Sure looks like anchor worms. Look very closely to see if the tail has a slight V shape. A common problem for koi. So search out a local koi seller/breeder for Dimilin.

From Humblefish's treatment guide:

Anchor Worms:

Symptoms - Anchor worms appear as red or inflamed skin irritations with little whitish-green worms sticking out. The tail of the worm makes a V. Often a fish will rub on rocks and sand in an attempt to dislodge the worm(s).

Treatment options - You have to manually remove all the anchor worms by using tweezers. Afterwards, apply a topical antibiotic to the affected areas. Dimilin will eradicate anchor worm eggs in a quarantine tank, but the medication is not reef safe.

Ill pass yhis on

 

[Shooter6]

^^ This; The tail end of an anchor worm will look like what you see below:

However, being anchor worms are rare in saltwater fish (except for sharks & rays), it's probably something else. I have some ideas, but performing a 5 min FW dip on this fish will at least tell us whether or not these are worms: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/freshwater-dip.248898/

Could you please elaborate on what you think it is? I had a run in with this back in the late 80s. Since then I have not found a single other person who has felt with it.

 

[Humblefish]

Could you please elaborate on what you think it is? I had a run in with this back in the late 80s. Since then I have not found a single other person who has felt with it.

There is a "mystery disease" that somewhat looks like this. Seems to happen to tangs sometimes following copper exposure, although a virus or something bacterial is also possible.

It's been "cured" on a few occasions by treating with kanamycin + metronidazole. (Also wouldn't hurt to add Furan-2 to the mix.) I've yet to actually get my hands on a specimen with this, so I can get a sample to examine under my microscope.

 

[Shooter6]

Thanks, there is a gentleman on the fb site who is a marine biologist. He is critical of the anchor worm suggestion. I was hoping to give him some insight to that diagnosis and what other possibility it could be. I invited him here but he scoffed at it. I read the post that said it has been found in rays and sharks. My question is it possible that the freshwater parasite is capable of living at least for a while in the marine aquarium? A possible cross contamination from nets or other equipment while in transport from the collection site to the aquarium would be possible if it can survive in salt water

 

[Humblefish]

Thanks, there is a gentleman on the fb site who is a marine biologist. He is critical of the anchor worm suggestion. I was hoping to give him some insight to that diagnosis and what other possibility it could be. I invited him here but he scoffed at it. I read the post that said it has been found in rays and sharks. My question is it possible that the freshwater parasite is capable of living at least for a while in the marine aquarium? A possible cross contamination from nets or other equipment while in transport from the collection site to the aquarium would be possible if it can survive in salt water

In one study (below), Amyloodinium (Marine Velvet) survived for a time in full freshwater so it is probably at least possible for the opposite to occur:

Source: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3282348?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

 

[Shooter6]

That just seems like a possibility, i have not seen brought up.