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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Treatment for Anchor Worms

      Lernea Elegans or Anchor Worm is a very common external parasite. Most often, it is common at goldfish and koi fish ,at smaller-sized fish such infections can be fatal. It is named "anchor" because get deep into the body's fish, especially in the tail or dorsal fin. Is easy to see with the naked eye.
     At the end of the outside shape, it develops their eggs, which mature very quickly, the maximum being 14 days. Although mature parasites prefer other areas to be fixed, lernea larvae choose to fix on gills, until they reach sexual maturity. After breeding, the male dies and the female is swimming  free in the aquarium for a period of time, then she's looking for a new host.
     Both during the growing and mature period, this parasites feed with the host's blood, which causes injuries, or worse, destruction of muscles. Anchor worm causes more pain, and the fish will be tormented a while to get rid of the worm, rubbing on gravel, decor, rocks, ornaments, etc.. In addition, the infected fish is quickly scared and is agitated.
     The wounds are hard to heal, so it is best to take action immediately to avoid their breeding. The more parasites, the more they need more blood to feed. In cases like this, the fish can be so weak that it becomes lethargic and will refuse food until death. Also, injuries caused, may cause true infections.

     Treatment
     The bad news is that, as I said above, anchor worm is multiplied by  eggs, so you have to apply the treatment in the entire aquarium, which, with this occasion, will become decycled.
     Besides treatment, you can pull the parasite with the tweezers through a fast moving. But before use an anesthetic, such as clove oil. Then, use a disinfectant, because after this operation, the fish remains with an open wound for a while. Both larvae and worms, can be treated with Sera Cyprinopur or JBL Argudol.
     Another treatment is baths with a substance called formalin. It is used in a concentration of 200 ppm in long baths, approximately one hour, during which the water will be aerated. However, these baths are made separately, so the eggs from the tank are still dangerous. Pay attention to formalin: if the fish has open wounds, do not use this method of treatment, it may be lethal. Also, if the fish is struggling, get it immediately out and make a weaker concentration.
     Another treatment is baths with potassium permanganate (5-10 ppm) but still can cause fish death.
     After treatment, disinfect the entire aquarium very well.