6 replies to this topic

[ToothyCritter]

As soon as I saw it, I moved the pickerel to a quarantine tank. I don't know if the other 5 can get it too, or if it's stress induced. It doesn't look like ich to me, it looks more string like. Any ideas? I really don't want to lose any pickerel and I found the string fairly early so I'm hoping it's curable.

[ToothyCritter]

Doesn't look like my picture would attach for some reason. Anyways, it's a tiny, thin, white string on the tail. It is about 1/10 towards the center of the tail.

[Matt DeLaVega]

Anchor worm maybe?

[ToothyCritter]

Anchor worm maybe?

I believe so. How do I treat it? I read a study from the University of Florida stating anchor worms cannot develop when the temperature is under 20° C (68° F). So technically wouldn't that mean the larvae would never be able to advance to their parasitic stage if I keep the temperature under 68°?

I planned on moving them to a bigger tank in the basement eventually and the basement never gets above 66° F

Edited by ToothyCritter, 21 July 2020 - 11:00 PM.

[Matt DeLaVega]

I think they are self limiting in aquarium. I always plucked them out with tweezers.

[ToothyCritter]

I think they are self limiting in aquarium. I always plucked them out with tweezers.

I ended up putting a normal dose of aquarium salt in, and the white worm-like string disappeared. Knock on wood, but I've had no issues since.

[sbtgrfan]

If in fact an anchor worm, I’d pluck it off with tweezers if possible and salt the tank to 5 ppt. Keep it salted for a couple weeks to make sure no more develop.
Could also be a leech. If that’s the case it may be a little more difficult to deal with.

Only way of knowing is with a good picture.