What is eating my clown?

[fraserwiggins]

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• fraserwiggins
• Apr 30, 2019

Clown parasite

I noticed this attached to the flank of my clown this morning.

I’ve never seen anything like it before, but I’m guessing it’s some kind of parasitic isopod. The fish is eating well and the rest of the fish in the tank are unaffected, although the yellow tang was rubbing its flank on a rock 2 nights ago after lights out. No evidence of ich/velvet on any fish.

I tried to catch the clown for a freshwater dip, but it must have rubbed the parasite off on a rock during the attempted capture as it has now disappeared.

Anyone seen this or have any ideas?

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

That is an isopod, if you get a red flashlight at night and watch your tank you can see them and net them. Hopefully you will be able to net it or it’s next host and get it out.

 

[fraserwiggins]

Thanks for that, I thought it might be as soon as I saw its little beady eyes on close-up! Nasty little things. I’ll take your advice on the red light!

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Thanks for that, I thought it might be as soon as I saw its little beady eyes on close-up! Nasty little things. I’ll take your advice on the red light!

Oh, and welcome to R2R!!!