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Post by Suzie Q (Lori) on Nov 18, 2009 10:30:51 GMT -5
Long story short I just want an ID on this...I am pretty sure they are nematodes(?) but need a confirmation...I kinda traded her for 2 pairs of Black Bar Endler's...I found out Sat. that she died. I treated the entire tank right after I got it (several months ago) for parasites for I think 4-6 weeks so how could she still be full of these?    Edited to fix pictures...and add text... |
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Post by kagome on Nov 18, 2009 10:57:19 GMT -5
Yeah, the pictures aren't working so I think photobucket direct posting would be best. Sorry to hear you're having so much trouble with your fishies. Parasites are so hard to get rid of.  |
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Post by parker002 on Nov 18, 2009 13:06:27 GMT -5
WOW.
Those are definitely worms.
I'm a fish newbie, so this is not a definitive answer. Carl or someone else can probably ultimately provide better advice.
I do have quite a bit of experience with breeding dogs and the thing that stands out to me is the appearance of banding or segmentation in the last picture. Those look like whipworms. Can fish even get whipworms?
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Post by Carl on Nov 18, 2009 13:16:19 GMT -5
Actually these appear to be Annelids, which are segmented worms where as nematodes are round worms (no segments). Generally speaking Annelids are not invasive parasites, rather they are decomposition worms such as Detritus Worms and do not harm the fish other than competing for oxygen and adding to the bio load when their numbers explode. Please reference this article: Aquarium Answers; Nematodes, Annelids, TrematodesCarl |
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Post by Suzie Q (Lori) on Nov 18, 2009 13:52:59 GMT -5
Carl...could they possibly come from that Guppy? She was huge and I though maybe egg bound. My friend said that they were not in the tank until the female "explosed". She said that she keeps the gravel very well vacuumed...I am going to pay her for the Endler's because we expected her to get fry from this girl in exchange for the Endler's...
I have had these in my tank too...and just cleaned them out and cut back on over feeding.
Lori
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Post by Carl on Nov 18, 2009 16:01:44 GMT -5
Carl...could they possibly come from that Guppy? She was huge and I though maybe egg bound. My friend said that they were not in the tank until the female "explosed". She said that she keeps the gravel very well vacuumed...I am going to pay her for the Endler's because we expected her to get fry from this girl in exchange for the Endler's... I have had these in my tank too...and just cleaned them out and cut back on over feeding. Lori I have serious doubts as these are clearly annelid worms and with the exception of Leeches (which these are not) I know of no parasitic annelids. These annelids are primarily mud, substrate worms found in both marine and freshwater environments. Earthworms are also annelids. There must be another explanation for the appearance of these and the guppy "exploding" Can you zoom in so as to 100% identify the segments and body structure? Carl |
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Post by Suzie Q (Lori) on Nov 18, 2009 16:17:54 GMT -5
Ok...thanks Carl!!! As soon as I saw them (she described them as 1 body with lots of testicles)...I knew they were the "nematodes" (annelid)..sorry did not know the real name at the time...LOL
I'm still thinking egg bound and that killed her and the annelid's were a result of extra "food" in the tank.
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Post by parker002 on Nov 18, 2009 22:45:50 GMT -5
Actually these appear to be Annelids, which are segmented worms where as nematodes are round worms (no segments). Generally speaking Annelids are not invasive parasites, rather they are decomposition worms such as Detritus Worms and do not harm the fish other than competing for oxygen and adding to the bio load when their numbers explode. Please reference this article: Aquarium Answers; Nematodes, Annelids, TrematodesCarl Most roundworms are smooth, but I've seen my share of live whipworms and while they're not actually segmented, they do look like it. But like I asked before, can whipworms even infect fish? I think they might only infect mammals. |
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Post by Carl on Nov 19, 2009 10:35:04 GMT -5
Most roundworms are smooth, but I've seen my share of live whipworms and while they're not actually segmented, they do look like it. But like I asked before, can whipworms even infect fish? I think they might only infect mammals. I do not know of any whipworms that infect fish, as well whip worms are nematodes and to the best of my memory whipworms infect warm blooded animals. Suzie-Q friends worms are likely detritus annelids Carl |
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