Anchor Worm - When to pull em out

So my 3 goldfish have Anchor worm. The meds won't arrive for 2 days. The worms are visable and I can pull them....but...just thinking should I wait until the meds arrive before I pull the worms? Because if I pull them out now there's a strong chance that more will anchor themselves in over the next 2 days and I don't want to stress out the fish having to do it twice.

 

If the case isn't too serious you can leave them till the meds arrive, just remember that by leaving them you may allow them to reproduce. This shouldn't be a problem provided you have the proper medication to treat them with. Do some extra water changes in the mean time.

 

If the case isn't too serious you can leave them till the meds arrive, just remember that by leaving them you may allow them to reproduce. This shouldn't be a problem provided you have the proper medication to treat them with. Do some extra water changes in the mean time.

Yeah, I think I'll give them a bath in a potassium permanganate mix and wait for the meds. Just hate seeing them swimming around with those things, and they are starting to nibble at each others bits.

Its the second time they had em. This time I'm gonna replace everything in the tank including the filter to make sure everything is gone and bleach the **** out of the tank.

 

The potassium permanganate is a good start if you have it. Adding aquarium salt to the tank too helps fight infection in the wounds and studies have shown that higher salinity prevents the worms from growing into the adult stage.

 

The potassium permanganate is a good start if you have it. Adding aquarium salt to the tank too helps fight infection in the wounds and studies have shown that higher salinity prevents the worms from growing into the adult stage.

The usual dose for salt is 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. 55 gallon tank seems like an awful lot of salt and I've never given my goldies any exposure to salt before so not sure how they would take it. You think if I halve it is worth doing. Maybe like a teaspoon per 5 gallons?

Also all I have on hand right this minute is Morton natural Sea salt. The package says contains no iodine and is made by simple evaporation of Sea water. So should be ok right?

 

I have never used Sea Salt myself but know it is suppose to be the same as aquarium salt. I have used aquarium salt on my goldfish before and they handled it just fine.

 

Hello, if you decide to use salt mixed w/tankwater add to tank slowly about a 1/4 at a time so fish have a chance to adapt. I've used up to 1 teaspoon per gallon on scaleless fish like dojo loaches & bn plecos(salt sensitive) w/no ill affects. Hope this helps you!!!!!

 

Hello, if you decide to use salt mixed w/tankwater add to tank slowly about a 1/4 at a time so fish have a chance to adapt. I've used up to 1 teaspoon per gallon on scaleless fish like dojo loaches & bn plecos(salt sensitive) w/no ill affects. Hope this helps you!!!!!

I've started with the salt. I mixed 8 Tablespoons into some Aquarium water and added 1/4 30 mins ago. Just did another 1/4 now. 2 more and the tank with have 8 tablespoons. If they don't look freaked in the morning I'll put a little more salt in up to 11 tablesppons.

It's kinda funny cause with the salt adds buoyancy and the fish are already higher up in the tank. They probably gonna feel like we would on the moon

 

Just a heads up on treating anchor worm with salt...Some adult anchor worms have a tendency to survive high salinities, and one report cited the adult females surviving salinities as high as 22g/L (that's more than 20 tsp/gal) for 6 days. Recommended treatment concentration is 4.8g/L (about 5 tsp/gal) to at least prevent the worm larvae from developing. That is, of course, if the fish can tolerate such salinity. Salt in lower concentrations can help with secondary infections on the wounds that the anchor worms cause though, as BettaNgold pointed out.

You did mention you had potassium permanganate, that in itself is a treatment for anchor worms so should be effective on the larval stages. Just be sure to do it over the course of several weeks, as the eggs can take up to 30 days to hatch..

 

Just a heads up on treating anchor worm with salt...Some adult anchor worms have a tendency to survive high salinities, and one report cited the adult females surviving salinities as high as 22g/L (that's more than 20 tsp/gal) for 6 days. Recommended treatment concentration is 4.8g/L (about 5 tsp/gal) to at least prevent the worm larvae from developing. That is, of course, if the fish can tolerate such salinity. Salt in lower concentrations can help with secondary infections on the wounds that the anchor worms cause though, as BettaNgold pointed out.

You did mention you had potassium permanganate, that in itself is a treatment for anchor worms so should be effective on the larval stages. Just be sure to do it over the course of several weeks, as the eggs can take up to 30 days to hatch..

Yeah the salt is more for preventing infection at this stage. I ordered 2 different meds for the actual worms. One claims to kill everything including eggs. I'll investigate more when they arrive, but for sure I'm gonna keep medication in there for a long time and make sure there in nothing left on the fish. They really came back with a vengeance this time.

The meds are:
MICROBE-LIFT/Lice & Anchor Worm
And
HikarI Pond Cyropro

 

Yeah the salt is more for preventing infection at this stage. I ordered 2 different meds for the actual worms. One claims to kill everything including eggs. I'll investigate more when they arrive, but for sure I'm gonna keep medication in there for a long time and make sure there in nothing left on the fish. They really came back with a vengeance this time.

The meds are:
MICROBE-LIFT/Lice & Anchor Worm
And
HikarI Pond Cyropro

You ordered these two? I know about cyropro, but had to look up the microbe-lift product and found out that...both of these are the same! (cyromazine). So use only one...and follow instructions closely (yes, even the 90% WC, or better yet using another system altogether to disrupt the parasite life cycle). I found cyropro quite effective, similar to dimilin, and seems by far safer than potassium permanganate. I hope you have success dealing with those nasty parasites as well.

 

You ordered these two? I know about cyropro, but had to look up the microbe-lift product and found out that...both of these are the same! (cyromazine). So use only one...and follow instructions closely (yes, even the 90% WC, or better yet using another system altogether to disrupt the parasite life cycle). I found cyropro quite effective, similar to dimilin, and seems by far safer than potassium permanganate. I hope you have success dealing with those nasty parasites as well.

Yep they have the same major but as I was led to believe they have slightly different micro I ingredients. For sure I was never going to use both at once but I actually ordered a whole bunch of stuff with long shelf lives just to be better prepared for things like this in the future.

What I didnt mention was that I got a little baby black goldfish and didnt quarateen it after purchase. It had a worm in its tail and I didnt see it until it was to late. I went back to the store and tore strips off the owner about it. But still MY bad for not quarantining it first.

Phew...got meds today. Went with HikarI Pond Cyropro. Pulled a grand total of 47 worms out. Didnt realise that many until I had the fish out to pluck. Poor things. The girl has one in her eye, didnt touch it. Wait and see what happens there.

Anyway, pulled them all. Gave them a rub down with peroxide. Replaced all the water in the tank and medicated.

Question: With the meds in there can I re add some salt? Those things left some nasty wounds but I don't want to lessen the effect of the medicine.

 

Phew...got meds today. Went with HikarI Pond Cyropro. Pulled a grand total of 47 worms out. Didnt realise that many until I had the fish out to pluck. Poor things. The girl has one in her eye, didnt touch it. Wait and see what happens there.

Anyway, pulled them all. Gave them a rub down with peroxide. Replaced all the water in the tank and medicated.

Question: With the meds in there can I re add some salt? Those things left some nasty wounds but I don't want to lessen the effect of the medicine.

View attachment 635640

Aww look at them! They need a hug

As far as I know salt doesn't interfere with cyromazine. And aside from helping with the wounds salt also eases their osmoregulation pressure from all those open wounds. But at the same time it kinda stresses them a little bit, so tit for tat I guess. I would still use the salt though, if only for a few days until the wounds stop being inflamed..

 

Aww look at them! They need a hug

As far as I know salt doesn't interfere with cyromazine. And aside from helping with the wounds salt also eases their osmoregulation pressure from all those open wounds. But at the same time it kinda stresses them a little bit, so tit for tat I guess. I would still use the salt though, if only for a few days until the wounds stop being inflamed..

Yeah poor little guys (well not so little). I hope they get through this

Great, I'll add some salt. Thanks for all the help vyrille

 

Yeah poor little guys (well not so little). I hope they get through this

Great, I'll add some salt. Thanks for all the help vyrille

You're welcome! I'm especially rooting for your not so little guys because I find them absolutely adorable - so round and plump haha! Is there a name for the gold and white colour scheme of the largest one? I find it particularly eye catching!

 

Aww look at them! They need a hug

As far as I know salt doesn't interfere with cyromazine. And aside from helping with the wounds salt also eases their osmoregulation pressure from all those open wounds. But at the same time it kinda stresses them a little bit, so tit for tat I guess. I would still use the salt though, if only for a few days until the wounds stop being inflamed..

I agree. The salt will help the wounds. Poor things. I know they must feel better already!

 

You're welcome! I'm especially rooting for your not so little guys because I find them absolutely adorable - so round and plump haha! Is there a name for the gold and white colour scheme of the largest one? I find it particularly eye catching!

I actually have no idea what these guys are...

The one at the back is the biggest and that's the Male. Named 'Goldie' by my son. Not very original I know but he was only 7 at the time. He was our first fish that we won at a county fair 6 years ago. He had to endure a 2 hour trip back home in a tiny little bag and was sick. Ever since then he just got tough and nothing brings him down.

The one in front (almost as big) is about 2 years old. Her name is Harmony named by my daughter. She has a pattern in her eyes and actually looks like a girl, lol. We got her at a parade.

And the little one is the product of the above two. Was doing thorough cleaning of the tank and found this tiny little thing swimming around. Had no idea he was in there.

That's it. Just 3 fish in a 55 Gallon. They are more than enough load so didnt get more.

I have 4 tanks now but the goldfish will always be top priority and they are as important as our family cat as being part of the family.

 

I know what you mean. I have always been partial to goldfish. I hope these guys pull through. Please keep us posted.

 

One week into the 21 day treatment. Looking good. Picked a few extra missed anchors out. Most sores healing nicely. 100% water change and re-medicated.

Before



After 7 days

 

Much better. Thanks for sharing with us!

 

One week into the 21 day treatment. Looking good. Picked a few extra missed anchors out. Most sores healing nicely. 100% water change and re-medicated.

Before


After 7 days

Not fair though, you just showed us the other side!

 

Not fair though, you just showed us the other side!

Oh yeah, I did ha. I'll take another shot when I get home. They won't mind, they love photos

Dang. Hard to get them all facing same way tonight. They much more active now. Back to their old habit of the two males chasing the female all over the tank again.

 

. Woke up this morning. 7 more worms found in my fish. How the **** did that med not work. I did 100% water changes each week and added medicine! So I guess some eggs managed to hatch and survive long enough to bury themselves in the fish again? Didnt think that was possible.

Took the fish out. Emptied tank. Bleached the filter and replaced with new media (except carbon filter of course). Removed all of the gravel. Re filled, added medicine and applied the second meds I got. One day into it and the tank smells horrible like a sewer and is cloudy as heck. I guess with no good bacteria in there that's what's gonna happen. The only thing in the tank now is the filter and an air stone.

I'm wondering if I do 100% water change every two days and Medicate would that be ok? I mean you are supposed to medicate every week. But the ammonia these guys create is insane. Cant be good for the wounds.

 

I get anchor worms in my outdoor ponds sometimes. I have really good success with clout for treatment.

 

I get anchor worms in my outdoor ponds sometimes. I have really good success with clout for treatment.

Wow, that stuff has really good reviews. Even some people saying they kept their carbon filters and it still worked.

I can't see to find Fritz Mardel Clout anywhere. Any idea where to get it?

 

Apparently it's been discontinued

 

Woke up this morning. 7 more worms found in my fish. How the **** did that med not work. I did 100% water changes each week and added medicine! So I guess some eggs managed to hatch and survive long enough to bury themselves in the fish again? Didnt think that was possible.

Took the fish out. Emptied tank. Bleached the filter and replaced with new media (except carbon filter of course). Removed all of the gravel. Re filled, added medicine and applied the second meds I got. One day into it and the tank smells horrible like a sewer and is cloudy as heck. I guess with no good bacteria in there that's what's gonna happen. The only thing in the tank now is the filter and an air stone.

I'm wondering if I do 100% water change every two days and Medicate would that be ok? I mean you are supposed to medicate every week. But the ammonia these guys create is insane. Cant be good for the wounds.

It's unfortunate that some managed to survive, but I did warn that these could be troublesome to treat, and should be treated for 30 days minimum. If by some accident you missed one dose, you'll have to start all over. Did you follow the instructions to the letter? And yes, as far as I know mardel clout has been discontinued since it's an organophosphate, and is banned in many countries for its ecological impact and public health risk, among other things.

 

It's unfortunate that some managed to survive, but I did warn that these could be troublesome to treat, and should be treated for 30 days minimum. If by some accident you missed one dose, you'll have to start all over. Did you follow the instructions to the letter? And yes, as far as I know mardel (formerly ****) clout has been discontinued since it's an organophosphate, and is banned in many countries for its ecological impact and public health risk, among other things.

I have taken the worms out again. But I'm giving the fish a break for a week. They have been swimming in such high ammonia levels for a long time now because I had to dump everything out of the tank so there was no bacteria to eat there mess.

So I have bleached the tank and filter and thrown in all the media from my 2 x10 gallon tanks into the goldfish filter and done a water change. After a couple days I'll remedicate and leave the media in.right now I'm just observing to catch any baby worms on the fish. I actually doubt there are any males left in that tank to fertilise the eggs but jeez, who knows

 

I have taken the worms out again. But I'm giving the fish a break for a week. They have been swimming in such high ammonia levels for a long time now because I had to dump everything out of the tank so there was no bacteria to eat there mess.

So I have bleached the tank and filter and thrown in all the media from my 2 x10 gallon tanks into the goldfish filter and done a water change. After a couple days I'll remedicate and leave the media in.right now I'm just observing to catch any baby worms on the fish. I actually doubt there are any males left in that tank to fertilise the eggs but jeez, who knows

I had to check the start date of this thread lol. It seems it's been approaching 30 days now. Have you been treating the tank all this time, or did you stop already at some point?

 

I could be wrong, but HikarI Cyropro could be similar to clout? I think it was a less toxic treatment. It is supposed to be the treatment for anchor worms...

Maybe target dose the vulnerable stages? I'm sure you've done that, just I wonder about subsequent (but not constant) dosing for 2nd generation worms.

Fwiw, I had anchor worms and I used Tetra Parasite Guard of all things and it worked. It's a med called Diflubenzuron that treats anchor worm.

 

Yep I actually went overboard. Each week before dosing I did 100% water change, bleached tank, changed media for new stuff after cleaning filter. And nothing in the tank but and airstone. Even took out the gravel. No where to hide for them you would think.

My guess is that there were eggs underneath the fishes scales and managed to survive. Rather than having to swin around looking for hosts, they just had to bury themselves in. That's why I'm hoping that there are no males in the tank because they would be free swimming and should have been killed.

 

Yep I actually went overboard. Each week before dosing I did 100% water change, bleached tank, changed media for new stuff after cleaning filter. And nothing in the tank but and airstone. Even took out the gravel. No where to hide for them you would think.

My guess is that there were eggs underneath the fishes scales and managed to survive. Rather than having to swin around looking for hosts, they just had to bury themselves in. That's why I'm hoping that there are no males in the tank because they would be free swimming and should have been killed.

So it looks like they are gone?

 

So it looks like they are gone?

Couple of days ago found more worms in the fish. I'm praying that they were survivors on the fish and will be unable to breed. Keeping a close eye on them now. At this point there is no medication in the tank. I think they need a break from swimming around in so much ammonia for so long.

 

Fwiw, I had anchor worms and I used Tetra Parasite Guard of all things and it worked. It's a med called Diflubenzuron that treats anchor worm.

You are correct it's similar, I use diflubenzuron myself, but they call it 'dimilin' here. And yes cyromazine (cyropro) is supposed to be safer.

Couple of days ago found more worms in the fish. I'm praying that they were survivors on the fish and will be unable to breed. Keeping a close eye on them now. At this point there is no medication in the tank. I think they need a break from swimming around in so much ammonia for so long.

We shall see. Here's to hoping they do not multiply.

 

Well it's been a while. Took two months to get those worms out. But they are gone baby. And what followed...? This:



Yep, babies! Woohoo. Got at least 100 all stuck to the back wall. Working on getting them into my 10 gallon spare. Guess I'll syphon them out is the best option.

Guess my project this summer is making a pond in the back yard