Has anyone had any experience/success with getting rid of anchor worms? I have a Sacramento sucker and a few sunfish that have some. I thought they were all removed upon introduction into the quarantine tank, but it appears I still have some in the tank. I was curious if it was a formalin or copper treatment or perhaps something else that is considered a go to treatment. Thanks!
Getting rid of anchor worms?
Started by
Guest_EBParks_*
, Sep 04 2012 11:04 AM
8 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_gzeiger_*
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Posted 04 September 2012 - 11:49 AM
There are several threads on this topic if you use the forum search feature. If I recall correctly the consensus was that it was best to remove them with tweezers unless the fish is very small, but there was some discussion of medications too.
#3
Guest_AussiePeter_*
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Posted 04 September 2012 - 05:53 PM
Anchors away is what I use. Tweezers are ok if you only have one or two, but they could be on the gills/inside the mouth too.
Cheers
Peter
Cheers
Peter
#4
Guest_EBParks_*
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Posted 04 September 2012 - 06:23 PM
Thanks guys! I'll definitely do a search and look into anchors away as well.
#5
Guest_gzeiger_*
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Posted 04 September 2012 - 09:57 PM
That's a good point. Tweezers are probably not recommended for one attached to a gill. That's exactly why I recommended searching instead of just taking my advice 
#6
Guest_EricaWieser_*
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Posted 04 September 2012 - 10:57 PM
I found using tweezers to remove anchor worms to be traumatic. Not to the fish, but to me. At the time I had zero experience performing surgery (especially not on something/one I cared about, which makes it worse!) and the idea that I might be hurting her terrified me. Long story short I hesitated too much to grab and yank and I think my fish suffered more than if I'd just left her alone with them on her. I guess the moral of that story is: use medication first, then if you have to remove a few remaining anchor worms don't hesitate! and pull them off quickly. If it goes longer than five minutes in the anchor-worm-catching container, put the fish back in the tank and try again tomorrow.
#7
Guest_Subrosa_*
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Posted 05 September 2012 - 06:33 AM
Dimilin works wonderfully, as long as no other crustaceans are present. It's no longer labeled for aquarium use due to legal issues, but it works very specifically by interrupting exoskeleton formation, so it's very non- toxic to fish. It's available at farm supply places as an insecticide.
#8
Guest_centrarchid_*
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Posted 05 September 2012 - 11:59 AM
dipterex
See link http://koionline.for...ex-trichlorofon
Dimilin and tweezers used to be my methods of choice. Did both and watched closely for secondary infections.
See link http://koionline.for...ex-trichlorofon
Dimilin and tweezers used to be my methods of choice. Did both and watched closely for secondary infections.
Edited by centrarchid, 05 September 2012 - 12:00 PM.
#9
Guest_Subrosa_*
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Posted 05 September 2012 - 01:46 PM
Trichlorfon is sold for aquarium use as Clout. It will certainly work, but it's a cholinesterase inhibitor, so it's very toxic to fish, and people as well. A perfect example of the old saw about the difference between medicine and poison being dosage! When I have a positive id on a pathogen I always go for the med most specifically aimed against it, with the lowest chance of negatively affecting the host organism.dipterex
See link http://koionline.for...ex-trichlorofon
Dimilin and tweezers used to be my methods of choice. Did both and watched closely for secondary infections.
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