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haedra · July 8th, 2009

I'm really not trying to be a pain in the butt by disagreeing, but I really don't think you have a picture of a fish louse here.

This video at youtube shows the best images I was able to find of ostracods (which is what I believe your picture looks more like).

By contast, here is an article with pictures of fish lice: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karpfenlaus.jpg

I'm looking at your picture, and there are no "spots," which if I read right, would be the suckers. There is also in your picture cilia all around the organism, which more closely resembles an ostracod. If you watch the video, you can see the "shell" opening, and at certain times in the clip the images look almost exactly like your picture. Your picture also has a sort of line down the middle, which to me looks like it is divided in half like a shell.

Ostracods are not harmful to fish, at least from what I've read. While you of course would want to up cleanings and lighten feedings to take care of them (I wouldn't use chemicals in that case), their appearance is not one to panic over. Some fish actually like to eat them too, much like some of the other little beasties.

Fish lice are really not common in aquariums where there are no pond fish present, or where you have not taken a pond plant and placed it in your aquarium. It doesn't mean it won't happen of course, it's just not common.

I of course cannot guarantee that this is what you have seen; it is only my opinion based on the picture and video you have provided, and some cursory research.

*edited to add*

This would also explain their appearance. You would have likely seen fish lice on the surface of your fish much sooner. And given how many you had swimming around, it sounds much more like an overabundance of nutrients (much like the appearance of planaria). You had said your filter wasn't working great, and this would have helped such a population start to explode.

Sorry for all the edits, but I keep finding things to say!

You also might want to check your betta closely, for any lesions or ulcers on his exterior. If there were fish lice feeding on him, you would see the points of attachment. If he has nothing of the sort; I just feel it furthers the idea that you are not dealing with fish lice here.

July 8th, 2009
haedra Fish Keeper	I'm really not trying to be a pain in the butt by disagreeing, but I really don't think you have a picture of a fish louse here. This video at youtube shows the best images I was able to find of ostracods (which is what I believe your picture looks more like). By contast, here is an article with pictures of fish lice: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karpfenlaus.jpg I'm looking at your picture, and there are no "spots," which if I read right, would be the suckers. There is also in your picture cilia all around the organism, which more closely resembles an ostracod. If you watch the video, you can see the "shell" opening, and at certain times in the clip the images look almost exactly like your picture. Your picture also has a sort of line down the middle, which to me looks like it is divided in half like a shell. Ostracods are not harmful to fish, at least from what I've read. While you of course would want to up cleanings and lighten feedings to take care of them (I wouldn't use chemicals in that case), their appearance is not one to panic over. Some fish actually like to eat them too, much like some of the other little beasties. Fish lice are really not common in aquariums where there are no pond fish present, or where you have not taken a pond plant and placed it in your aquarium. It doesn't mean it won't happen of course, it's just not common. I of course cannot guarantee that this is what you have seen; it is only my opinion based on the picture and video you have provided, and some cursory research. edited to add This would also explain their appearance. You would have likely seen fish lice on the surface of your fish much sooner. And given how many you had swimming around, it sounds much more like an overabundance of nutrients (much like the appearance of planaria). You had said your filter wasn't working great, and this would have helped such a population start to explode. Sorry for all the edits, but I keep finding things to say! You also might want to check your betta closely, for any lesions or ulcers on his exterior. If there were fish lice feeding on him, you would see the points of attachment. If he has nothing of the sort; I just feel it furthers the idea that you are not dealing with fish lice here. Last edited by haedra; July 8th, 2009 at 08:21 AM.