How long can camallanus live without a host?

My guppy numbers are dwindling rapidly, and my six-year-old is heartbroken with each loss. I've got some meds going now, but am uncertain who (if any) will pull through, so it's looking like we might have a planted "snail and shrimp tank" for a while. Too little, too late, it seems.

Assuming all my finned friends can't make it (worst case scenario), how long can camallanus worms live without a host? Will the immature forms die out if they don't have a fish colon to latch onto within a number of weeks?

 

My guppy numbers are dwindling rapidly, and my six-year-old is heartbroken with each loss. I've got some meds going now, but am uncertain who (if any) will pull through, so it's looking like we might have a planted "snail and shrimp tank" for a while. Too little, too late, it seems.

Assuming all my finned friends can't make it (worst case scenario), how long can camallanus worms live without a host? Will the immature forms die out if they don't have a fish colon to latch onto within a number of weeks?

This might help you.
How To Get Rid Of Camallanus/nematode Worms Important - | Freshwater Fish Disease 41023

 

Thanks, NC122606. I've scoured a plethora of pages in the last four days or so, including the above article. Levamisole hydrochloride is hard to come by in these parts and the LFS had PraziPro on the shelf, so I've given that a shot. So far one guppy that seemed to be on death's door is back to swimming again today (but may or may not survive the aftermath of some muscle involvement and internal bleeding, but fingers crossed!), so I'm cautiously optimistic.

Do you (or anyone else) know about dormant periods for camallanus? I just want to have a plan in place in case things don't turn around.

 

Praziquantel doesn't work on nematodes. Never has and never will.

There are at least two fish vets in your area:

DeWinton Pet Hospital | Happy Pets = Happy People

Services

 

Just called a few vets. That particular med was evidently discontinued in Canada 10+ years ago due to an overuse issue in the cattle industry.

Hence the original question—does anyone know how long this organism can live without a host?

 

All info from harles is the best . After this article there is more from him .
Camallanus Treatment - Use of Levamisole HCl

 

Thanks for the info, coralbandit. That particular article mostly addresses physiological morphology throughout the lifecycle, but I'm still at a loss for the maximum duration of the second-stage moult larvae without a definitive host.

Unfortunately levamisole hydrochloride is not an option. I spoke with a local LFS/importer who mentioned that he was hit with some federal fines last time he tried getting some into the country, so I'm not willing to risk that kind of trouble to save $15 worth of guppies. I'm not sure what everyone else's countries are like when you try to import illegal substances, but I won't be further pursuing Levamisole HCl for the foreseeable future.

 

If you need to sterilize the tank bleach or potassium permanganate work good .
For the stubborn issues bleach has trouble with many go with pool shock ..It is stronger bleach !..
Try contacting Charles from the info .He responds to emails and I am sure he would have an answer .

 

Camallanus worms use small crustaceans as intermediate hosts for a larval stage. I think the shrimp would have to go as well... That's just from what I've read.
Can you get fenbendazole in Canada? I used that to somewhat successfully treat a camallanus outbreak. I still lost several fish but some were able to pull through. I ordered treated flake from Discus USA. Not sure what your options are other than a complete strip and re-start...

 

Just called a few vets. That particular med was evidently discontinued in Canada 10+ years ago due to an overuse issue in the cattle industry.

Hence the original question—does anyone know how long this organism can live without a host?

Ask them for fenbendazole...it's not as easy to use but it should work. There are actually a lot of drugs that can be used.

As for your question, the answer may be in here:

https://sci-hub.tw/10.1023/A:1013137801600