A Recently Purchased Fish Had A Worm In Its Gill , Took Him Back To Store Do I Have To Disinfect?

Hi,

I bought a Koi Betta the day before yesterday and noticed his gills moved very little when I got him but I thought maybe I was imagining it. Then realized I couldn’t see his gills move period except for when he went to surface for air. Looked closer and saw a worm like thing poking out of one his gills.

I removed him from the tank immediately and took him back to the store I bought him from. I’m new at this and I want to start with a healthy fish.

My question is do you think his presence in tank for 48hrs was enough to infect the tank itself where other fish may contract gill flukes. Should I sterilize? Thanks for the help.

 

What you described is kind of the opposite of gill flukes. Usually with gill flukes, the fish will be breathing faster instead of slower. Gill flukes are also not visible without a microscope or some type of magnification, so what you saw is most likely not gill flukes.

 

What you described is kind of the opposite of gill flukes. Usually with gill flukes, the fish will be breathing faster instead of slower. Gill flukes are also not visible without a microscope or some type of magnification, so what you saw is most likely not gill flukes.

Okay, any ideas what it was? And should I be concerned whatever the worm in it’s gill was may have made the tank unsafe for new fish?

 

Okay, any ideas what it was? And should I be concerned whatever the worm in it’s gill was may have made the tank unsafe for new fish?

Not really sure from the brief description, pictures will help but since you have already returned the betta, its not really possible.
Try running the aquarium for 72 hours without fish, and turn the temperature to about 85f, to speed up the life cycle (or kill) any possible parasites living in the aquarium. Then just turn the temperature down to the desired temperature.

 

Not really sure from the brief description, pictures will help but since you have already returned the betta, its not really possible.
Try running the aquarium for 72 hours without fish, and turn the temperature to about 85f, to speed up the life cycle (or kill) any possible parasites living in the aquarium. Then just turn the temperature down to the desired temperature.

Okay thank you! Will that also harm the beneficial bacteria? Will I have to cycle the tank again?

 

Sounds like maybe an anchor worm (which isn’t a true worm) they are contagious but I’m not sure if it still would be now that it’s gone, I’d use above advice to be sure.

 

Okay thank you! Will that also harm the beneficial bacteria? Will I have to cycle the tank again?

There might be a little die off because of the lack of fish, but there should be some rotting material in the filter to provide some ammonia for a small colony of beneficial bacteria to live for the three days without fish.

 

Sounds like maybe an anchor worm (which isn’t a true worm) they are contagious but I’m not sure if it still would be now that it’s gone, I’d use above advice to be sure.

That’s what I’m starting think too now thst I know it’s not flukes. Thank you. I think you answered my question on another occasion as well.

There might be a little die off because of the lack of fish, but there should be some rotting material in the filter to provide some ammonia for a small colony of beneficial bacteria to live for the three days without fish.

Ah okay, thank you so much. I very much appreciate the advice. I will do as you’ve suggested.