Identification of the fish parasite

[Kvizak]

Hi, any idea what kind of thing could this be? I found it already 3 times in my quarantine tank where I have several fish now for one week with UV sterilizer and Ruby Reef Rally.. it looks like internal parasite?… according to the size (approx. 4-5cm) it could be only from Valencienna sexguttata or Quoyi Parrotfish… (second picture is body, 3rd head under microscope)… any idea?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

That isn't any parasite that I'm familiar with. In the video, it look like fecal bolus, covered in mucus. How large is the parrotfish? I suspect it is from that fish.

Large internal parasites include tapeworms and Nematodes, and this isn't either of those. Additionally, for large internal parasites, they can live for years inside the animal that they infect, to find them being expelled three times in a few weeks is unlikely, unless you have been dosing the fish with a anti-worm treatment?

Jay

 

[Kvizak]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

That isn't any parasite that I'm familiar with. In the video, it look like fecal bolus, covered in mucus. How large is the parrotfish? I suspect it is from that fish.

Large internal parasites include tapeworms and Nematodes, and this isn't either of those. Additionally, for large internal parasites, they can live for years inside the animal that they infect, to find them being expelled three times in a few weeks is unlikely, unless you have been dosing the fish with a anti-worm treatment?

Jay

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

That isn't any parasite that I'm familiar with. In the video, it look like fecal bolus, covered in mucus. How large is the parrotfish? I suspect it is from that fish.

Large internal parasites include tapeworms and Nematodes, and this isn't either of those. Additionally, for large internal parasites, they can live for years inside the animal that they infect, to find them being expelled three times in a few weeks is unlikely, unless you have been dosing the fish with a anti-worm treatment?

Jay

Thank you, Jay. The parrot fish is around 20-25cm… I was surprised with the white line strucuture of the cover (pic 2 under microscope)… inside it was quite soft and melted… but muculus might be the reason… thank you

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you, Jay. The parrot fish is around 20-25cm… I was surprised with the white line strucuture of the cover (pic 2 under microscope)… inside it was quite soft and melted… but muculus might be the reason… thank you

Of course, if you saw it MOVING (not just in the water current) then that would confirm it was alive....

Jay