Parasite but WHERE DID IT COME FROM

[egwich]

Hey Everyone,

I have a two year old 55 Gallon fish only tank. Nothing has been added to it in a year. I've had zero disease or issues in about a year. Two days ago I came home and my Lyretail Anthias had the long stringy white poop just hanging from him. I was baffled because the water quality is always good. My Nitrates are always between 2-10 ppm. I do two water changes a week (15%). I had metro and focus on hand so I'm already dealing with the problem and I'm confident all will be well.

However, my question to everyone is where did this parasite come from? Nothing has been added to the tank in a year. The ONLY thing I can think of is maybe the buckets I use for water changes are getting dirtier and older which has led to something getting into the tank. Thoughts?

 

[Timfish]

Well, could it just be something it ate? Is it possible it's had internal/intestinal parasites when you got it and they have just been growing an d reproducing and up to now been subclinical? You say you hvan't added anything, do you mean you just haven't added any fish or do you mean you also haven't added inverts like hemit crabs or other clean up crew? Or do you mean you haven't added anything at all like rock or sand or equipment that might have been contanminated?

 

[egwich]

Well, could it just be something it ate? Is it possible it's had internal/intestinal parasites when you got it and they have just been growing an d reproducing and up to now been subclinical? You say you hvan't added anything, do you mean you just haven't added any fish or do you mean you also haven't added inverts like hemit crabs or other clean up crew? Or do you mean you haven't added anything at all like rock or sand or equipment that might have been contanminated?

I haven't added anything, including equipment or rock. The only new thing that comes into the tank is water. I've had the Anthias for over a year so is it really possible that he's had this for 60+ weeks and is just finally showing signs? I find that a little unlikely.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

It's entirely possible internal parasites have been there the whole time.

 

[Big G]

All of the above. But the most likely is that the parasites were there and the fish's immune system was dealing with it until age, stress, etc. allowed the parasite to grown and effect the fish.

Or it came in with the food: eggs. . . .

 

[W1ngz]

If it's a parasite it definitely didnt come from your buckets. Things don't evolve that fast or appear from nowhere.

Either it was introduced or has been there all along.