Parasite similar to yellow grub/clinostonum

[fishie111]

I am trying to eradicate what appears to be a parasite similar to yellow grub/clinostonum. The infected fish is a wild-caught aequidens sp. pulcher. The fish has a cluster of small round 1/8in diameter yellow spheres on the rear side of the fin where it attaches to the body.

Another fishkeeper suggested crushing them between my fingers- I tried this, but it seemed like the spheres are under the skin and I didn't want to injure the fish.

Since that was unsuccessful, I started to treat with Flubendazole (Flubenol) which has high efficacy against parasites. I'm on the second dose (dose is 1/4 tsp per 5G every 3 days with a water change between doses), but I am not seeing any changes.

Has anyone had experience with something like this before- any ideas what I could try next?

 

[Lupin]

Interesting. Any pics? Did you post this already anywhere else? If so, do you have the link? I'd be interested to see the findings if this issue has been recorded and already under put under development in discussions.

 

[kzimmerman]

we need a better description. What fin are they attached to? Is it on both sides, or just one? Is there any legs, claws, protrusions, extensions, or anything breaking up the sphere? Eyes? Does any part appear to go through the epidermis?
It may not be a parasite at all. It could be lymph nodes, boils, all kinds of fun stuff. I've read somewhere about a parasite that looks kinda like what your describing, let me dig a bit and we'll see what we come up with. In the meantime, could you post some tank parameters and such, so we can really see what we're up against?

 

[kzimmerman]

What I was thinking of was a ciliate called epistylis. Formalin, formaldehyde, and malachit gren have all been used to eradicate it. This is usually the result of an organically rish environment. So, maybe it came from an area where they are prolific, or maybe your tank needs a good cleaning. You didn't post any specifics about it, so it's just conjecture. Also, that may not be what it is, so more info would help get you a better answer.