I have this on my purple firefish and I don't know what it is. It's located right behind the fin on his side. It's all swirly.
What is this parasite?
- Thread starter Justin_James
- Start date
Yes and no.
Yes it is a bit risky but in general a fresh water dip can be very effective at removing saltwater parasites, So I recommend this only if the fish is "strong" enough to survive the trauma.
Much like chemotherapy.
Yes it is a bit risky but in general a fresh water dip can be very effective at removing saltwater parasites, So I recommend this only if the fish is "strong" enough to survive the trauma.
Much like chemotherapy.
I performed surgery on him yesterday. I tore the whole tank appart, caught him, laid him on the coffee table and pulled it off with a pair of tweezers. The procedure went great and he is happily swimming and eating like normal. I didn't want to do the fresh water dip since personally i'm not a believer in it because I lost a fish to it the first time I tried it. It just stresses your fish out in my opinion but i'm sure it must work for some people or it wouldn't still be suggested.
When I pulled on it with the tweezers it stretched out to be a long worm like organizim.
Even though it is over with I still want to know what it was so I can research it.
When I pulled on it with the tweezers it stretched out to be a long worm like organizim.
Even though it is over with I still want to know what it was so I can research it.
freshwater dips are not usually harmful to the fish....as long as they are conducted right. Saying that a fish should have a five minute freshwater dip is probably the wrong advice to give. Some fish will die five minutes into a freshwater dip. The length of the dip should depend on the fish. If the fish starts turning over i usually stop the freshwater dip. Some turn over within a minute and some can go for a really long time. Therefore you need to use your best judgement.
Also, About your whole surgery thing on the coffee table. I believe that to be much more stressful and much less effective for the fish. There could still be smaller parasites on the fish that you can't yet see. Personallly, I would have done the freshwater dip and would still do it if i were you.
Also, About your whole surgery thing on the coffee table. I believe that to be much more stressful and much less effective for the fish. There could still be smaller parasites on the fish that you can't yet see. Personallly, I would have done the freshwater dip and would still do it if i were you.
The surgery I did was on a clean ziplock bag and it only took a few seconds. As for your suggestion to do a freshwater dip anyways that is completey out of the question. There was just the one parastite to deal with and it's gone and the fish is perfectley fine. I would do it again anytime over a freshwater dip. I don't do freshwater dips at all let alone for the hell of it. My motto is: If it isn't broke don't fix it. Everything is perfectley fine now 
Did you save the parasite do you have a picture of it? Fwiw, to me it looked like some sort of flat worm have you introduced and new fish or lr lately? I'd be concerned where there's one there's more. I'd also consider starting a q.t. tank if your still stocking your tank or tanks. It's easy if your doing tanks for smaller fish just set up a 20 gal with no substrate, pvc tubes for hiding, and a sponge filter. Keep the sponge in your main tank hidden in your reef so it's ready to go.
If you do have a parasite it's true that a fresh water dip is really a good way to get rid of invertabrate external parasites. Just dip the fish in warm fresh water for about 1.5 to 2 mins. Inverts are much more sensative to ossmotic shock than any of the fish. You might have to dip once or twice but, in many cases it's the only alternative,"glad that wasn't the case here."
hth
If you do have a parasite it's true that a fresh water dip is really a good way to get rid of invertabrate external parasites. Just dip the fish in warm fresh water for about 1.5 to 2 mins. Inverts are much more sensative to ossmotic shock than any of the fish. You might have to dip once or twice but, in many cases it's the only alternative,"glad that wasn't the case here."
hth
No Actually it came in on the fish. The firefish was the new addition and it shipped to me like that. I couldn't see the parasite when the fish was in the bag. There was just the one parasite for sure.
I didn't save it since I didn't want to waist time with the fish on the operating table and all to try and save the parasite. The parasite was lost since I wiped the tweezers off on a piece of paper towel.
I would still like to get a couple of suggestions as to what it may have been though so I can research it for future refrences.
Thanks.
I didn't save it since I didn't want to waist time with the fish on the operating table and all to try and save the parasite. The parasite was lost since I wiped the tweezers off on a piece of paper towel.
I would still like to get a couple of suggestions as to what it may have been though so I can research it for future refrences.
Thanks.