Too many of these creatures in my tank what are these?

[professorjimjam]

Thanks LBDave .

I would have nuked the tank with copper sulphate if I didn’t have cherry shrimps. I have puffer fishes. I will monitor them and if I ever see any of them attached on any of fishes, then I will use copper. Otherwise if they aren’t harmful to the fishes, then I think it would be a lot of hassle to remove them by hand.

 

[LBDave]

Oh, and just a final comment. If using a copper based medication make sure you read up on it's interactions with the use of "Prime" or "Safe". Very important.

 

[professorjimjam]

Thanks.
I also read people say that they were successful with siphoning the leeches out. Has anyone experience with siphoning the leeches? If it is useful then what kind of siphon they use a general one? Or it has to be a specific one.

 

[Deadeye]

Curious, is there a kind of dewormer that can be used? Like praziquantel or levamisole? I know if used in reefs there is a risk of killing ornamental worms as well as parasites so I’d assume it could work.

 

[altums85]

Here's what I do to get rid of the leeches when I buy live blackworms. I pour all the worms into a container. Let it sit for a bit. Then I pour out the worms to something else. And what remains are the leeches. They attach themselves to the bottom of the container. I use hot water to rinse and kill off the leeches in the container. Repeat the process a few times and I'm left with only the worms.

 

[LBDave]

Thanks.
I also read people say that they were successful with siphoning the leeches out. Has anyone experience with siphoning the leeches? If it is useful then what kind of siphon they use a general one? Or it has to be a specific one.

I think the intent is vacuuming them out. Via siphon or a pump. But that would not eradicate them.

 

[professorjimjam]

Thank you

 

[deeda]

If you want to go the non-chemical way, buy or make a leech/planaria trap. A quick video of how they work is Video on Leech or Planaria trap.

If you decide to use any copper based product in a bucket, remember never to use that bucket for your aquarium if you want to keep shrimp or snails alive.

 

[twentyleagues]

What kind of puffers? My pea puffers eat them so will my fahaka. My polys and rope fish and most of my African cichlids also have no problem eating them. I don't see how this is such a big issue. I used to use leeches when I was a kid to fish for bass and pike they love them. I'm guessing most fish that are "carnivores"/predatory will eat them.

 

[professorjimjam]

What kind of puffers? My pea puffers eat them so will my fahaka. My polys and rope fish and most of my African cichlids also have no problem eating them. I don't see how this is such a big issue. I used to use leeches when I was a kid to fish for bass and pike they love them. I'm guessing most fish that are "carnivores"/predatory will eat them.

thank you so much. I have amazon puffers 4 of them and one figure 8.