bjbass;4441574;4441574 said:
I have had my SMB for about two months and I have been treating him for fin rot with API Aquarium Salt for about 6 weeks now. That seems to be getting better, but now he has three anchor worms by that fin. Perhaps this has been the problem the whole time.
They are thin and clear and have a forked tail. At first I thought it was just some weird scale problem.
Can I treat him with Dimilin? Where can I purchase this stuff? I have a PetSmart close by.
Will this hurt my bluegill, sunfish, or brown bullhead while treating him?
How long should I treat?
Should I remove my carbon filter pillows?
This website talked about helping Goldfish...but Ive used its recommedations on Sunfish and Rosy Reds.
Removing Anchor Worms with Tweezers
This method of treatment for anchor worms is not one that I will suggest people to use. You will however be able to see these worms found on your goldfish as they are like small green hairlike parasites seen attached to your goldfish. They are quite easily seen and can be removed with tweezers but the only thing wrong with this method is you don't see all the small anchor worms that could be attached to the goldfish already which are beginning to grow. Anchor worms start off small that end up turning into larger worms as they begin to feed on the body fluid of the goldfish which then you will see later on without a microscope. This method may work but you will never know if they reproduced in your tank or pond and are just waiting to find a new host.
Anchor Worm Treatment Medication
In order to know for sure you have rid yourself of anchor worms once and for all people should strongly use anchor worm medication to eliminate these external parasites. There are many types of anchor worm medications on the market and here are just a few people can choose: Anchors Away, Dimilin, Proform LA and Potassium Permanganate. These anchor worm treatment medications work great and will eliminate the parasites affecting your fish.
Anchors Away
To treat your fish using anchors away make sure you always follow the manufacturers recommended dosage. Here is how you treat your fish using this medication:
1. Perform a 25% water change before treatments.
2. Always make sure you remove the activated carbon from your filter.
3. Add one teaspoon for every 40 gallons
4. Treat every 6 days for up to 3 weeks
Anchors away is a great product and effective at eliminating anchor worms and other parasites as well. You will notice after the first week of treatment that they will be falling off your goldfish.
Dimilin
Dimilin is another great product on the market that will treat fish suffering from anchor worms. Here is how you treat your goldfish for anchor worms using Dimilin:
1. Shake bottle very well before use.
2. Remove activated carbon.
3. Add 1 tablespoon for every 60 gallons
4. Wait 14 days to see if anchor worms are completely gone
5. If not, repeat dosage again and do not do a water change.
6. After second treatment is complete, wait another 14 days to make sure parasites are eliminated then perform a water change removing some of the chemical.
Proform LA
This is one of the best forms of treatment for anchor worms and fish lice on the market. It is really safe for humans to use and is a very low maintenance method of treatment. What's great about Proform LA is that it can be used in any water temperature where some can only be used as low as 50 degrees fahrenheit. You can do three treatments one week apart and it's a fairly low cost medication to use as 1 pint will treat 5000 gallons and 1 quart will treat 10,000 gallons of water. This anchor worm medication will not harm turtles, frogs or snails. Follow recommended dosage
