UPDATE - Yellow Tang with Isopod? Now removed

AquaAmator · Oct 30, 2019

I have a yellow tang that seems to have an isopod attached to it. What would you recommend for treatment? Is it dangerous?

We removed the beast with tweezers. It took some fin with it. Fish seems OK for the ordeal. Here are some pics

Qasimja · Oct 30, 2019

hm never seen that before

Dierks · Oct 30, 2019

I think you nailed it... You can remove but keep an eye out for bacteria infection of the location your removed from. @Humblefish That has to be a Flabellifera isopod correct?

Humblefish · Oct 30, 2019

Dierks said:
I think you nailed it... You can remove but keep an eye out for bacteria infection of the location your removed from. @Humblefish That has to be a Flabellifera isopod correct?

Looks that way. Hopefully it's a male, so its the one & only.. The females can carry eggs.

Dierks · Oct 30, 2019

He would be able to see that when he removes the Isopod correct? I cant remember if this type of Isopod carries her eggs inside or on the back 2 Uropods (i think they are called... Their Butts)

Humblefish · Oct 30, 2019

Dierks said:
He would be able to see that when he removes the Isopod correct? I cant remember if this type of Isopod carries her eggs inside or on the back 2 Uropods (i think they are called... Their Butts)

In mature females, some or all of the limbs have appendages known as oostegites which fold underneath the thorax and form a brood chamber for the eggs. Would need a magnifying glass to tell for sure. I think most smart phones have one built-in nowadays.

Dierks · Oct 30, 2019

Humblefish said:
oostegites which fold underneath the thorax and form a brood chamber for the eggs.

Thanks for the mini Knowledge bomb

As always we appreciate you sir!

KrisReef · Oct 30, 2019

@AquaAmator
Is this a newly acquired Yellowtang or did the parasite just show up out of the blue?

nereefpat · Oct 31, 2019

Would a simple freshwater dip remove it?

Halal Hotdog · Oct 31, 2019

JESUS... that thing is massive. Kill it....KILL IT.... WHY ARE YOU NOT KILLING IT

AquaAmator · Oct 31, 2019

KrisReef said:
@AquaAmator
Is this a newly acquired Yellowtang or did the parasite just show up out of the blue?

We have had the Tang for about a six weeks and we noticed a week ago.

AquaAmator · Oct 31, 2019

Halal Hotdog said:
JESUS... that thing is massive. Kill it....KILL IT.... WHY ARE YOU NOT KILLING IT

We flushed it, after taking some pictures.

AquaAmator · Oct 31, 2019

nereefpat said:
Would a simple freshwater dip remove it?

It was very tightly attached. I'm not sure if a dip would make it release. But we went ahead and used tweezers.

AquaAmator · Oct 31, 2019

Humblefish said:
In mature females, some or all of the limbs have appendages known as oostegites which fold underneath the thorax and form a brood chamber for the eggs. Would need a magnifying glass to tell for sure. I think most smart phones have one built-in nowadays.

I will post pictures. Can someone tell me if female? I'm hoping not.

MERKEY · Oct 31, 2019

Did someone say pics lol

That was a big one

Gareth elliott · Oct 31, 2019

For isopoda and copepoda parasites could try an insecticidal parasite medication. I found them rather immune to osmotic shock when attached. In regards to a fw dip.

AquaAmator · Oct 31, 2019

Dierks said:
I think you nailed it... You can remove but keep an eye out for bacteria infection of the location your removed from. @Humblefish That has to be a Flabellifera isopod correct?

No idea, but thanks for the identification. I have posted pictures of the beast we removed.