fungus on ropefish!?!?

[titustitus]

Hey guys,

Just noticed some stuff growing on my ropefish. Anyone has any idea what this is?

 

[strollo22]

Looks like an abrasion on his barbel. Clean water and salt you should be ok.

 

[Nim Dibbley]

those look like bichir worms. Check out this pic: http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8450782&postcount=224

Look up info on bichir worms here on MFK

 

[mike_sema]

That is a nasty case of bichir worms man,you need to treat ASAP


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[titustitus]

Thanks guys for the ID. Did a wc and added some meds. Any idea what causes them?

 

[Nim Dibbley]

Thanks guys for the ID. Did a wc and added some meds. Any idea what causes them?

based on what i have read, in the wild all bichirs have them, but their numbers stay low. a bichir or ropefish will only have a few of these parasites in the wild. a parasite by nature is not interested in killing its host.

by the time the fish gets to your aquarium they have usually been treated at some point. but if they haven't, something about the aquarium setting allows the parasites to multiply and overtake the fish causing slime coat issues, infection and the end result is death of the fish.