Tang with worm like parasites. Need Id Please

Manuel Gaucin · Aug 23, 2015

Can someone help me ID this parasite I think its some sort of worm. He is in a FOWLR 200g tank with other tangs.

Oscaror · Aug 23, 2015

looks to me like marine velvet?

Humblefish · Aug 23, 2015

Could be a worm infestation, although I am not sure which kind. Your best bet is to give this fish a FW dip and see if that has any impact. A FW dip should dislodge or at the very least discolor it, if it is a worm. There is a chance this is just Lymphocystis, a common virus.

Freshwater Dip: Provides temporary relief for Brooklynella, Flukes, Marine Velvet disease (Amyloodinium); possibly even Ich & Uronema marinum (both unproven). Can be used to confirm the presence of Flukes.

How To Treat - Fill a bucket with RODI water, and use a heater to match the temperature to the water the fish is coming from. Aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip. Fish aren’t overly pH sensitive for short durations like this, but you can squirt a little tank water into the dip just before the fish goes in to help bring it up.

Place the fish in the freshwater (FW) dip and observe closely. It is not unusual for them to freak out a little at first. Also, tangs are notorious for “playing dead” during a FW dip. The important thing is to watch their gills; they should be breathing heavily at all times during the dip. If breathing slows, it’s time to exit the dip. Dip the fish for no longer than 5 minutes. Multiple dips may be done, but it’s important to give your fish a day to recuperate in-between dips.

For flukes, use a dark (preferably black) bucket so you can see if tiny white worms fall out of the fish (especially out of the gills) at around the 3-4 minute mark. The worms will settle to the bottom, so you can use a flashlight to look for them there as well.

Pros - Provides temporary relief for a wide range of diseases in a chemical free environment. Can “buy you more time” until a proper treatment can be done.

Cons/Side Effects - Not a permanent “fix” for any disease, as FW dips are not potent enough to eradicate all of the parasites/worms afflicting the fish. Some fish can have an adverse reaction to a FW dip by appearing unable to maintain their equilibrium once returned to the aquarium. If this happens, hold the fish upright (using latex, nitrile or rubber gloves), and gently glide him through the water (to get saltwater flowing through the gills again). It is also a good idea to place the fish in an acclimation box until he appears “normal”.

Cleo642 · Aug 23, 2015

Humblefish said:
Could be a worm infestation, although I am not sure which kind. Your best bet is to give this fish a FW dip and see if that has any impact. A FW dip should dislodge or at the very least discolor it, if it is a worm. There is a chance this is just Lymphocystis, a common virus.

Freshwater Dip: Provides temporary relief for Brooklynella, Flukes, Marine Velvet disease (Amyloodinium); possibly even Ich & Uronema marinum (both unproven). Can be used to confirm the presence of Flukes.

How To Treat - Fill a bucket with RODI water, and use a heater to match the temperature to the water the fish is coming from. Aerate the water heavily for at least 30 minutes prior to doing the dip, then discontinue aeration while performing the dip. Fish aren’t overly pH sensitive for short durations like this, but you can squirt a little tank water into the dip just before the fish goes in to help bring it up.

Place the fish in the freshwater (FW) dip and observe closely. It is not unusual for them to freak out a little at first. Also, tangs are notorious for “playing dead” during a FW dip. The important thing is to watch their gills; they should be breathing heavily at all times during the dip. If breathing slows, it’s time to exit the dip. Dip the fish for no longer than 5 minutes. Multiple dips may be done, but it’s important to give your fish a day to recuperate in-between dips.

For flukes, use a dark (preferably black) bucket so you can see if tiny white worms fall out of the fish (especially out of the gills) at around the 3-4 minute mark. The worms will settle to the bottom, so you can use a flashlight to look for them there as well.

Pros - Provides temporary relief for a wide range of diseases in a chemical free environment. Can “buy you more time” until a proper treatment can be done.

Cons/Side Effects - Not a permanent “fix” for any disease, as FW dips are not potent enough to eradicate all of the parasites/worms afflicting the fish. Some fish can have an adverse reaction to a FW dip by appearing unable to maintain their equilibrium once returned to the aquarium. If this happens, hold the fish upright (using latex, nitrile or rubber gloves), and gently glide him through the water (to get saltwater flowing through the gills again). It is also a good idea to place the fish in an acclimation box until he appears “normal”.

Does the nose of the fish look like it has tissue erosion or something? Or is that the parasites he's talking about? Is that how their nose is supposed to look?

Manuel Gaucin · Aug 24, 2015

Small white worm like tissue is present on both side of fish not sure if its a parasite but a large bump appeared on top of its eye as well and its on both sides. Fish is currently eating well and shows no signs of stress. Going to try a FW dip either way and place in a QT tank. Not sure if its velvet? Fish has been healthy for 4 years hope he survives this one.

Manuel Gaucin · Aug 24, 2015

Thank you for the advice will keep you guys updated.

4FordFamily · Aug 24, 2015

Does not look to me like velvet based on the location affected. I agree lymph or perhaps a worm of some kind but I've never seen anything like that. That said, each case of lymph is completely unique so that may lend credibility to humbles suspicion of lymph which is typically harmless.

If otherwise healthy, a Fw dip cannot hurt

Even if not healthy, a Fw dip would be the catalyst not the cause of death. (If it dies during a dip it was going to die anyway)

TattoosandFrags · Aug 24, 2015

Yikes hope you find out the problem with your tang

Humblefish · Aug 24, 2015

I'm pretty confident it's not ich or velvet. Could be an external parasite that is mostly unknown however. If those are worms, I'm thinking possibly Capsalidae, since those monogeneans seem to prefer the face, lips, and eyes. Could also be a Trematode of some kind. What makes me possibly suspect Lympho is the "abnormality" appears cauliflower-like in appearance. So, that's what's throwing me off.

A couple of questions:

When was the last fish added to the tank? When was the last coral/invert added?
Do the white things appear to move on the fish or remain stationary?

A FW dip is going to be your first line of defense. Use a dark bucket, so you can see with a flashlight afterwards if any of these things have fallen off and are laying at the bottom of the bucket.

Manuel Gaucin · Sep 9, 2015

Hi guys just some quick updates the large bump on the nose went away but another one appeared by his month most of those white worm like thing have gone away I added cooper and started feeding dr,gs antioparasitic caviar here are more pics he is still hanging in there any other suggested diagnostic would help im still trying to figure out what it is thank you for all the help really appreciated

Humblefish · Sep 9, 2015

Sorta looks like it could be the beginnings of HLLE.

Tahoe61 · Sep 9, 2015

First image looks like Serpentisaccus magnificae, it's a copepod type.

Humblefish · Sep 9, 2015

Tahoe61 said:
First image looks like Serpentisaccus magnificae, it's a copepod type.

Interesting. There are pics & description of Serpentisaccus magnificae here: http://chucksaddiction.thefishestate.net/disease.html

I wonder if dimilin (diflubenzuron) or dylox (trichlorfon) would treat these, since both are effective against anchor worms.