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i purchased 2 weather loaches 8 days ago from the same tank at an lfs. they were both obviously different species, but niether showed obvious sign of disease or stress. both were eating normally quickly after purchase.

one died while i was at work today (in my quar tank- thank god). red splotches all over, white threadlike protusions wiggling from various areas. from what i could surmise, it appears to be be roundworm.

i assume there is a dormant larval stage prior to signs of infection. how long is it? being loaches, what meds are recommended for treatment of the surviving loach? he shows zero signs disease. the one who perished seemed normal about 36 hours ago. does this mean the surviving loach could "blossom" at any moment?

how does roundworm spread? should i do a complete breakdown of the infected tank, or would any meds i use take care of the problem?

i have no experiance with roundworm, and any input would be appreciated. luckily, the only other contaminents are one weather loach and a 10 gal tank.

Here is a link for you.http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_FA091

Anchor worms are more like it...

There are commercial meds to treat these worms that are white and threadlike, some under the skin, some protruding from anywhere on the fish.

--garyroland.

How big were these white wiggly things?

I'm thinking that if the fish had died from some type of infection that escalated due to stress of transfer and died, it could have been planaria feeding on the body. Most aquariums have planaria and there are many species. Most look like a tiny thread, about 1/4 inch long and are usually white.

If an infection is within a fish when purchased, the stress alone can exacerbate it rapidly.

Where was the redness? At the site of the "worms"? Or, was it streaky/blotchy mainly along the underside? Did you notice deep redness at the base of the pectoral fins? If so, then it was more likely a hemorrhagic type of infection. Internal worms can certainly cause it, but so can dirty tanks (like crowded fish store tanks), and filters that are off for extended hours/days due to power outages (both conditions breed bacteria that can cause aeromonas/psuedomonas infections, and bring on bacterial septicemia).

Intestinal worms are highly susceptible to the brand name droncit (praziquantel), which is a dog/cat wormer. However, it is expensive bought that way. The only fish medication that carries it, to my knowledge, is Parasite Clear Tank Buddies by Jungle. The primary active ingredient is Praziquantel or Prazi for short. Other ingredients include metronazidole and acriflavine. A single dose should have fish expelling intestinal worms within a half-day, if they are they are there. However, the acriflavine that is added can damage plants.

I wouldn't rush out to treat the fish just yet. Rather look for bloating or emaciation and white feces/consitpation, and lack of apetite. This would point in the direction of intestinal worms. Otherwise, keep an eye out for any other fish developing redness, rapid breathing, lethargy, and isolate immediately or euthanize humanely to prevent spread of hemorrhagic infection. It can be transferred to other fish feeding on dead and dying fish infected with it. People can give you several ways to isolate without stressing and humanely disposing of the fish (never flush or leave out of water).

Last edited by Cory_Di at 03-Oct-2004 11:52

"white threadlike protusions wiggling from various areas..."

Internal parasites?? Not really, Diane.

Anchor worms.

--garyroland.

the second loach is still alive, with no signs of infection. the one who died had red splotches on random locations of its body- it looked almost like small blasts of spray paint. the little white worms were protuding everywhere.

i am hoping the dead loach was infected prior to purchase. i am really not experienced with roundworms (i have not even heard of anchorworms).

the lone loach cannot infect other fish in its present tank. i will check out the link mentioned above, and look into the possibility of anchorworm.

what bugs me is the sudden progression of the infection. could anchorworms be picked up at the lfs and not "bloom" until a few days later? i have never had parasitic worm problems ever- i fail to see how it could suddenly affect 1 fish so fast.

thank one and all for your help.

Last edited by mariosim at 03-Oct-2004 23:45

"Lernea" or Anchor Worms are usually a goldfish problem...

Some Cichlids have a problem with them.

The site where they "anchor" becomes infected and red. Smaller tropicals cannot tolerate the parasite and die.

Game fish are seen with Anchor worms also.

Keep a close watch on your tank for other outbreaks.

--garyroland.