Anchor worms & Ich - What next?

[Gramma]

Today is day 7 of Rid-Ich+ treatment and I thought this was the end of it all. BUT, tonight I noticed that my Rainbow has 2 Ich cysts as well as an anchor worm. I was in shock :eek: and just wanted to cry. I was supposed to be going away for a couple of days on Tuesday, so now what am I going to do? :confused: Do I use Fluke Tabs? Snails & shrimps have been removed, but I do have 6 Cardinals & 2 Panda Cory Cats & plants. Help please!

This all seems kind of creepy:Eek: . I just might buy those gloves.

[Melody]

Poor thing... how stressful for you.

There's some tough Ich cases going around. The bottle of Rid Ich+ says you can increase the frequency to twice/day so you could try that. Anchor Worms are something I've never had to deal with, but I do know that you shouldn't try to remove them manually. I think RidIch+ treats them too, but don't quote me on that.

[CACAdmin]

As if you need more problems. :rolleyes: It's frustrating, I know.

I haven't ever dealt with anchor worms as they are rare in an aquarium (mor common in pond fish). I have been trying to find an answer for you about the treatment foranchor worms. From what I've read it sounds as if the RidIch+ should do the trick however Kordon (the company that makes RidIch+ states:

"This medication is not intended for use in the control of bacterial infections, flukes (monogenetic trematodes), copepods, or other multicellular organisms, such as worms and crustaceans.. Rid·Ich+ is primarily for the control and treatment of diseases of freshwater and marine fishes caused by external single-celled protozoan, dinoflagellate, and sporozoan parasites." ... and Anchor worms are copepods.

The other recommended solution is to use a dip in potassium permanganate for 20-30 minutes or treat the whole tank 2 mg per litre... however do not mix medications (ie. don't use with the RidIch+).

[Gramma]

I have checked the fish this am and there are no signs of Ich cysts anymore. However, I got fooled and thought they were all gone a few days ago. So I will keep treating every 12 hours now.

As for the anchor worm, I am not sure if that is what it is. I cannot seem to find a picture. It is white and stuck in the top of the fish's back. I can see that it goes in a bit as the Rainbow is kind of transparent. Does anyone know if this could be an anchor worm?

[Melody]

There's a good photo here (http://www.zamzows.com/Portals/3c7d11d2-8e24-4fbd-9672-c659f81ec836/200x160_anchor%20worm%20on%20fish.jpg), or good enough to see what they are anyway.

For some reason I thought I read that Rid Ich will kill off Anchor Worms, but that might not have been a reputable source. There are med's for Goldfish that list them, seems to be a combo of Formalin and Malachite Green. Nasty stuff, but it works.

You'll see many sites recommending that you remove it, but that's not a good idea for several reasons. For one, you'll stress an already stressed fish. Second, it leaves a gaping wound that rips up more as the worm comes out, leaving it open for infection.

[Gramma]

Thanks for the pic Melody. It looks like that, but I cannot see the v part at the end. It sticks out about 3/32". Do I treat the fish or the tank?

[Melody]

I'd go with the tank - its highly contageous. You could try just the fish and watch carefully though, as the med's required are pretty hard on fish. A gut call.

[Gramma]

OK, so before I treat the tank with anything else I guess I do a 50% water change, add the charcoal back in the filter and wait how long before starting a new med? I hate doing this to my fishies. I do not know where all this is coming from.

[Katalyst]

Dimillin also treats anchor worm, as well as a product called Anchors Away, which has dimillin (Dimillin) Diflubenzuron as main ingredient. Salt is great as well.

[Melody]

Dimillin rings a bell - is that more gentle? Anything has to be better than M. Green.

I'm not sure about the carbon... depends on how much there is and how much med's there are to remove. Were it me I'd do it all now and then start the new treatment tonight. Normally I'd prefer to wait 24, but with the Anchor Worms being so contageous...

[Katalyst]

Yep I'd do it asap...
Article on Dimillin from Doc Johnson

http://www.koivet.com/html/articles/articles_details.php?article_id=32&category=13&name=Medications


Here's the product, Rick is based out of the States but a lot of Canadian based stores carry the same products as well as some of his. If you can't find it, usually he will ship to us as well. He's a great guy. Just posted it as he gives the correct dosage to use.

http://www.goldfishconnection.com/shop/details.php?productId=27&catId=21


Clout can be found at Big Al's and does treat Anchor Worms but is a harsh medication.
http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/cshop/MEAP-CL1.html?L+scstore+fddr4704ffe7e6e7

[Katalyst]

Dimillin rings a bell - is that more gentle? Anything has to be better than M. Green.

I'm not sure about the carbon... depends on how much there is and how much med's there are to remove. Were it me I'd do it all now and then start the new treatment tonight. Normally I'd prefer to wait 24, but with the Anchor Worms being so contageous...

Dimilin will not kill filter bacteria, formalin will...:wideeyed: So imo a better choice since the fish are already weakened, stressed.

[Melody]

Good info Kat, thanks!

[Gramma]

Thanks for the all info you all have provided. Since yesterday was a holiday, I was not able to come up with Dimillin as suggested. However I was able to get Fluke-Tabs, which I know are harsh, but wanted to start treatment right away. I was supposed to be going away for a few days starting today, but have postponed it until tomorrow, so I could get the second dose in tonight before going. Then I don't have to do anything for 3 days. Hope all works well and that they all survive this harsh treatment. I did not put the full dose in though. I only put enough for 10 gal. in a 16 gal. bow with gravel, driftwood and rocks. Maybe I should have put more, but will keep my fingers crossed that it works.

[CACAdmin]

Good luck! We'll keep our fingers crossed that all goes well.

[Katalyst]

Crossables crossed for you! Hang in there! :smile:

PS
Just make sure you take the carbon out before putting new medication. I've made that mistake in the past and what an expensive mistake it was! :(

[Gramma]

Carbon is out. Package says probably 2 does should do, then wait 3 days and do a water change. In you opinion should I have used the full dose?

[Katalyst]

Carbon is out. Package says probably 2 does should do, then wait 3 days and do a water change. In you opinion should I have used the full dose?

That's hard to say, I think it really depends on the state of the fish in question. I've used full dosage of meds in the past only the have the fish gasping for air at the surface and me doing a huge panicky water change to get the meds out minutes later. Just keep your eye on them, you may have to add the extra dose or worse case scenario give an addtional day of meds. How are they acting?

[Gramma]

They seem to be doing fine. My pleco if anything seems to be the most stressed, next the Cardinals, but not bad. Time to do a water change and add more meds. Maybe I will put in a tad more. I had only one visable anchor worm and will be very happy when it dies and falls off. Thanks for the info and support.

[Melody]

... Since yesterday was a holiday, I was not able to come up with Dimillin as suggested. However I was able to get Fluke-Tabs, which I know are harsh, but wanted to start treatment right away...

For what its worth, I think that was a good call and I would have done the same thing rather than risk it spreading.

[Gramma]

I had given 2 treatments before going away, which they said it would probably take and left it until this morning to do a water change, but the worm is still attached to the fish. How long does it normally take to fall off? I guess I will start the meds again tomorrow.