Potential parasite on choc cichlid caudal fin

[shawe1]

My chocolate cichlid hasn't been quite right for a about 2 months (colour seems drab, loses what looks like slime coat occasionally and often flicks of surfaces). I have recently changed the lighting and I noticed a reddish looking dot/tiny lump on the caudal fin and can't help think this is the cause. Looks like a possible parasite but I am not entirely sure what it is?

The water is testing ammonia 0, nitrites 0 and nitrates at about 30. All the other fish seem fine and all the fish are feeding well (including the chocolate cichlid)

Any idea what this could be, if so how can I treat it?




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[Aquanero]

Looks like it could be an anchor worm. You could put a drop of iodine on it that will get rid of it. Has anything new been itroduced into the tank in a last couple of months? I would also step up maintanance, water changes etc to gt the nitrates down below 20 ppm the lower the better.

 

[shawe1]

The only thing new in the tank is a large piece of drift wood and new gravel both were cleaned before being introduced.

Where would I get iodine from?


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[Aquanero]

At a pharmacy. Ask for Tincture of iodine or Betadine.

 

[shawe1]

I'd say this is anchor worm as it now looks more protruded than before. Could I attempt to pull it out with tweezers or would that leave me open to other problems?


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[shawe1]

But I can get hold of some of this tomorrow. Is this what you are referring to?

How would I apply it and how much should I use?


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[shawe1]

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