My tapeworm...or is is a flat, segmented worm of another class?
- Thread starter knifegill
- Start date
Searching and stumbled on:http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/g...scussion/85787-pictures-unusual-red-worm.html
and here's some more pics: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/s...-whats-bug-how-recognize-them.html#post350485
Although I personally say it may "look" like a tubifex I don't think it is.It was probably mixed in to some black worms and the fish ate it etc.
and here's some more pics: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/s...-whats-bug-how-recognize-them.html#post350485
Although I personally say it may "look" like a tubifex I don't think it is.It was probably mixed in to some black worms and the fish ate it etc.
Definately not tubifex. Those only get a bit over 2", but this one is over 6" already. If it's not the tape worm then it might be something related to tubifex. They do look similar.
Knifegill, please tell me you are not serious keeping a tapeworm there.
I looked at this thread regrettably while eating breakfast awhile ago.
I looked at this thread regrettably while eating breakfast awhile ago.
Yeah, it's too flat to be tubifex or an annelid. It's incredibly weak and that pic is the only time I've seen it come up since I brought it home. Also, it wraps around roots and just stays there. Aquatic annelids burrow and wave in the water. This is either a tapeworm ready for its mammal host or a strange flatworm. But you should see it fall in the water. Almost motionless, it coils gently like a desperate ribbon in weak wind. Very unlike any annelid I've encountered.
I do clean my hands after handling it for sure. But realize if it is what we think it is, the offspring cannot infect me directly.
B12! Of course! Any deficiency it causes in the host will dictate it's required nutrition! Genius! Thanks so much. It's bedtime now but I'm definitely researching my eyes out tomorrow.
It is still a shock that this grosses you out, Lupin. With all of your knowledge about disease and medications you ought to be a little more jaded by now.
Yeah, I'm serious. It's a System of a Down tribute. I have to do it. Rock music told me to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F4Yi7L6ua4
I do clean my hands after handling it for sure. But realize if it is what we think it is, the offspring cannot infect me directly.
B12! Of course! Any deficiency it causes in the host will dictate it's required nutrition! Genius! Thanks so much. It's bedtime now but I'm definitely researching my eyes out tomorrow.
Knifegill, please tell me you are not serious keeping a tapeworm there.
It is still a shock that this grosses you out, Lupin. With all of your knowledge about disease and medications you ought to be a little more jaded by now.
Yeah, I'm serious. It's a System of a Down tribute. I have to do it. Rock music told me to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F4Yi7L6ua4
Yep, you're right. I've encountered several gross aquatic things but it just never occurred to me someone would keep a tapeworm for a pet which is why I felt surprised just thinking why on earth would someone want it for a pet of all the things you can find and consider. Besides, I was eating my meal and looking at this thread at that time was wrong move completely.lol
Meal + the thought of internal parasites = incompatible
Meal + the thought of internal parasites = incompatible
Lupin;4534257; said:
that last sentence is just classic! I would have never thought to take it as far as knifegill has myself either BUT since he has,I think it's just awesome in the most deranged way possible! To keep a tape worm as a pet? That's just freakin cool!
Hats off to ya my man 
Gotta admit, you've piqued my curiosity about your little friend. heheh. A bit (a lot) macabre, but it is interesting when ya think about it. Really not much out there about keeping them alive. I couldn't find any info about anyone doing what you are. 
I'm sure there is some medical school or scientist that has studied living specimens, but I can't find them. Hundreds of sites helping to kill them though. 
Some minimal info I was able to dig up:
=-=-=-=-=
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Diphyllobothrium_latum.html
This parasitic organism feeds on the contents of the host mammals' intestines through absorption. It has no gut or mouth, thus does not contain a complete digestive system. This tapeworm especially depletes the host of vitamin B-12, cleaving and sequestering almost all of the host's B-12. The worm may also interfere with the host's ability to take up the vitamin, thus supplements are needed to combat the deficiency (Roberts and Janovy, 2000; USFDA, 2001).
=-=-=-=-=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=1034821
The tapeworm can live up to 20 years.
In a small number of cases, this leads to severe vitamin B12 deficiency due to the parasite absorbing 80% or more of the host’s B12 intake
=-=-=-=-=
Most sites just have the same basic info as the wiki page.
Looks like getting some liquid B12 will be your best bet for feeding it. I couldn't find a reference for them absorbing anything else. I'm sure they do, but I can't find what. Maybe get a liquid multi-vitamin too just in case.
Don't cut it in half to get more of them, it won't regenerate a head.
Fenbendazole will wipe out that entire tank (Hydra, Planaria, and the Tapeworm)
If the tank somehow gets cyclops in it, they will eat tapeworm eggs and will then be capable of infecting a human or fish if either were to ingest the cyclops.
Good luck man. Keep us posted.
P.S. After all this reading, I think I'm gonna give myself a tapeworm detox treatment, just in case. I don't have any symptoms, but most people with them never know it, and i have had sushi once every couple months for the past few years. 
I'm sure there is some medical school or scientist that has studied living specimens, but I can't find them. Hundreds of sites helping to kill them though. Some minimal info I was able to dig up:
=-=-=-=-=
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Diphyllobothrium_latum.html
This parasitic organism feeds on the contents of the host mammals' intestines through absorption. It has no gut or mouth, thus does not contain a complete digestive system. This tapeworm especially depletes the host of vitamin B-12, cleaving and sequestering almost all of the host's B-12. The worm may also interfere with the host's ability to take up the vitamin, thus supplements are needed to combat the deficiency (Roberts and Janovy, 2000; USFDA, 2001).
=-=-=-=-=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=1034821
The tapeworm can live up to 20 years.
In a small number of cases, this leads to severe vitamin B12 deficiency due to the parasite absorbing 80% or more of the host’s B12 intake
=-=-=-=-=
Most sites just have the same basic info as the wiki page.
Looks like getting some liquid B12 will be your best bet for feeding it. I couldn't find a reference for them absorbing anything else. I'm sure they do, but I can't find what. Maybe get a liquid multi-vitamin too just in case.
Don't cut it in half to get more of them, it won't regenerate a head.
Fenbendazole will wipe out that entire tank (Hydra, Planaria, and the Tapeworm)
If the tank somehow gets cyclops in it, they will eat tapeworm eggs and will then be capable of infecting a human or fish if either were to ingest the cyclops.
Good luck man. Keep us posted.
P.S. After all this reading, I think I'm gonna give myself a tapeworm detox treatment, just in case.
I don't have any symptoms, but most people with them never know it, and i have had sushi once every couple months for the past few years. 