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Little Leaches?

Started by Guest_Yeahson421_* , Aug 08 2011 08:27 PM

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15 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_Yeahson421_*

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Posted 08 August 2011 - 08:27 PM

I recently collected a 1 inch Bluegill and I've noticed two dark little leach like creatures on his tail. I treated with melafix earlier today to help another fish's fin rot, (Btw, this IS a quarantine tank, luckily) Will this help with the leeches? I also have Parasite Clear tablets if those would work.

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#2 Guest_EricaWieser_*

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Posted 08 August 2011 - 09:53 PM

There are a number of different things that those could be. It is unlikely that they are leeches because they have hung on for so long. Leeches usually drop off after a couple hours.

Here is a website with a number of different ailments listed. You can google image search each of them and see if they match what is on your fish. http://www.fishyfarm..._disorders.html

It is best to have a confirmed diagnosis before treating with a medication. You should quarantine your fish separately so that the medication to treat one does not affect the other.

Edited by EricaWieser, 08 August 2011 - 09:53 PM.

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#3 Guest_Yeahson421_*

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Posted 08 August 2011 - 10:16 PM

Here is a website with a number of different ailments listed. You can google image search each of them and see if they match what is on your fish. http://www.fishyfarm..._disorders.html

They mention anchor worms in there which were my initial thought, but there wasn't the tell tale red mark near where they were attached, but now that I've looked at a few more pictures, I'm beginning to believe my initial theory was right.

You should quarantine your fish separately so that the medication to treat one does not affect the other.

I wish I had that option. Right now I'm packed full tank wise, so seperation isn't an option.

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#4 Guest_gerald_*

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Posted 09 August 2011 - 09:27 AM

If they're leeches, just net the fish and pull them off. Leeches can extend & contract like other segmented worms; anchorworms don't change shape. Some kinds of leeches DO stay attached for days or weeks.

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#5 Guest_Yeahson421_*

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Posted 09 August 2011 - 09:59 AM

anchorworms don't change shape.

They aren't changing their shape at all, they almost looke like part of his tail.

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#6 Guest_Yeahson421_*

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Posted 09 August 2011 - 10:23 AM

Also, he isn't acting sick. He still begs for food and just casually swims around the tank. It's really weird.

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#7 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 09 August 2011 - 01:21 PM

Also, he isn't acting sick. He still begs for food and just casually swims around the tank. It's really weird.

Leaches on fins, don't have an immediate impact on fish beahviour... I've had them on sunfish before that seemed... and probably were... fine. It takes a little nerve and a strong pincer grip on the tweezers... but net the fish, get him under a desk magnifier if necessary, and grab the leach with the tweezers, hold firmly and pull him off.

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

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#8 Guest_Yeahson421_*

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Posted 09 August 2011 - 02:33 PM

Leaches on fins, don't have an immediate impact on fish beahviour... I've had them on sunfish before that seemed... and probably were... fine. It takes a little nerve and a strong pincer grip on the tweezers... but net the fish, get him under a desk magnifier if necessary, and grab the leach with the tweezers, hold firmly and pull him off.

Okay, how did they do afterwards? I assume I should add salt and stress coat afterwards, is that correct?

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#9 Guest_EricaWieser_*

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Posted 09 August 2011 - 03:13 PM

Some kinds of leeches DO stay attached for days or weeks.

Ewwwww.

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#10 Michael Wolfe

Board of Directors

North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 09 August 2011 - 08:52 PM

Okay, how did they do afterwards? I assume I should add salt and stress coat afterwards, is that correct?

Worked out fine... I will admit that mine were somewhat larger... maybe 2 inches... and they recovered with no problems... at the time I had never used salt, but I did use stress coat... and yes, leaches off, even with the handling, is better than leaches on.

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

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#11 Guest_Yeahson421_*

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Posted 10 August 2011 - 10:20 AM

Okay, thanks a ton!

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#12 Guest_UncleWillie_*

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Posted 10 August 2011 - 10:45 AM

If you are having trouble with tweezers and pulling them off, you can use this method (which I've used on fish and myself to get leeches off). I just get a Q-tip and dip the end in rubbing alcohol, then just touch the head and mouth area of the leech and they usually just let go and fall right off. This method is very quick, easy and my take less time when handling your fish. Just an FYI.

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#13 Guest_Yeahson421_*

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Posted 10 August 2011 - 12:29 PM

If you are having trouble with tweezers and pulling them off, you can use this method (which I've used on fish and myself to get leeches off). I just get a Q-tip and dip the end in rubbing alcohol, then just touch the head and mouth area of the leech and they usually just let go and fall right off. This method is very quick, easy and my take less time when handling your fish. Just an FYI.

Okay, I'll try the rubbing alcohol first, and if that doesn't work I'll try the tweezers. Thanks for the help, guys.

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#14 Guest_gzeiger_*

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Posted 26 September 2011 - 07:30 AM

Please don't release your parasites in a river system, even if allowed

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#15 Guest_exasperatus2002_*

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Posted 13 August 2012 - 07:39 AM

Okay, I'll try the rubbing alcohol first, and if that doesn't work I'll try the tweezers. Thanks for the help, guys.

How did this work out for you? I just got some black nosed dace & two of them have small leeches on their pectoral fins. Funny how every stream around here has a different ailment. One place the bnd's have a black spot. The other has leeches. Cant wait to go back to my old stomping grounds wednesday.

Edited by exasperatus2002, 13 August 2012 - 07:41 AM.