Scutariella Japonica information and treatments?

Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? 29G
How long has the tank been running? 2ish Years
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 78°F
What is the entire stocking of this tank? (Please list all fish and inverts.) 11x Harlequin Rasboras, 2x Lambchop Rasboras, 1x Albino BN Pleco, 4x Sparkling Gouramis, Several Neocaradinias, Several "pest" snails (Trumpets, Pond, Ramshorns) 3x Nerites, 1x Columbian Ramshorn, White Planaria (freaking nematodes won't go away)

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? Every weekend
How much of the water do you change? 50%
What do you use to treat your water? Seachem Prime
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Usually just the water, sometimes I graze over the substrate surface but I always end up sucking up plants and snails. Use the tank water to rinse the filters and sponges.

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes.
What do you use to test the water? API Liquid Test Kit
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 0-20ppm
pH: 7.8+

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? 1-2 times a day every 2-3 days.
How much do you feed your fish? Pinch or two of crushed flakes, 2-3 algae wafers.
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Tetra.
Do you feed frozen or freeze-dried foods? Yes, I vary their diet.

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? I've had the shrimp for several months.
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? 2 days ago.
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? White spiky worms on the shrimps head.
Have you started any treatment for the illness? Not yet, I plan too tonight.
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No.
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? No.

Explain your emergency situation in detail. (Please give a clear explanation of what is going on, include details from the beginning of the illness leading up to now)

I noticed 2 days ago my shrimp has white stuff on their heads, and upon further research found them to be Parasitic nematodes. I've dealt with Camallanus Worms in the past so I have Levamisole I plan to treat with. I have not found much information regarding the parasites life cycle & viable treatment plans for my situation. Most sites recommend salt dips but my tank is heavily planted with tons of shrimp so I can't reasonably do this. So here are my questions.

Has anyone used Levamisole effectively? I have that, Aquarium Salt, & Prazipro. I have not used Prazipro so I want to use Levamisole since I know my snails have survived this treatment before.
Will these parasites affect my fish if say they ate an infested shrimp?
Will the dosage for treating Camallanus Worms work for these species of Nematode as well? My dosing that I found to work was to mix 1tsp Levamisole & 100ml treated tapwater. Then dose with 1ml per Gallon (so 29ml for my main tank and 5ml for my QT tank) I'm not sure what ppm that would be considered but it's what I read online and it worked for treating Camallanus.
What is the lifecycle of these parasites so I know how long to treat for. When treating Camallanus I had to dose for 4 weeks as the eggs take 3 weeks to hatch in the tank. The eggs of these new parasites are protected within the exoskeleton of the shrimp when they molt so I have to treat for a duration that will handle these eggs when they hatch.
When treating for Camallanus I had to black out the tank for 3 days as the meds are UV Sensitive then do a full water change and repeat the process for over a month. Is 3 days blackout an ok plan for treatment of these or will it be safe to change the water a little bit sooner? All help is greatly appreciated. Photos attached of my shrimp, tank, and screenshot of the parasite I found online for reference.

 

Hi KRiggz
First off don't go over the top with the guys I know your concerned but scutariella Japonica use shrimp as a host and lay the eggs in the gill cover when the shrimp moults the eggs hatch and look for another host, in the wild I've witnessed these in far greater numbers on a shrimp and they live quite happily together, it's only when the numbers get super high do they affect the respiratory system on shrimp.
Normal treatment and the best is a salt dip they are normally gone after 1 dip
If you want to treat the tank planaria zero is good
Although the life cycle is 3 weeks 1 salt dip seems to finish them off.
Lavemasole is one that I've not eared used to kill them but I don't see any reason why not and it's shrimp and fish safe, your fish are safe from scutariella but you will need to remove all moults for 3 weeks as this is the life cycle
Those I've guided through the salt method have not had any re accuring issues.
Don't treat the whole tank with salt if you go that rout it must be a dip

 

Hi KRiggz
First off don't go over the top with the guys I know your concerned but scutariella Japonica use shrimp as a host and lay the eggs in the gill cover when the shrimp moults the eggs hatch and look for another host, in the wild I've witnessed these in far greater numbers on a shrimp and they live quite happily together, it's only when the numbers get super high do they affect the respiratory system on shrimp.
Normal treatment and the best is a salt dip they are normally gone after 1 dip
If you want to treat the tank planaria zero is good
Although the life cycle is 3 weeks 1 salt dip seems to finish them off.
Lavemasole is one that I've not eared used to kill them but I don't see any reason why not and it's shrimp and fish safe, your fish are safe from scutariella but you will need to remove all moults for 3 weeks as this is the life cycle
Those I've guided through the salt method have not had any re accuring issues.
Don't treat the whole tank with salt if you go that rout it must be a dip

Thanks for the fast reply. Unfortunately salt baths isn't going to be a feasible option for my tank as there's so many shrimp and so many hiding places I'm bound to miss some and the infestation will just re-occur. I moved some new fish to the tank today so I'm letting them settle in so I'm moving my water change and treatment plan for tomorrow before I goto work. I have salt, Prazipro, and Levamisole at my disposal and unfortunately can't get anything else for awhile. I do understand they're "harmless" until they've grown in numbers to cause issues, but I'd rather tackle to issue before it gets dangerous for them. You said not to salt the whole tank? I know scaleless fish and certain snails and stuff can be sensitive to salt so would the dosage 1tbsp salt per 5 gallons be dangerous to my stock? I know I'm bound to lose some shrimp during the treatment which is unfortunate but I've accepted the fact it's going to happen. Dealing with Camallanus has definitely given me a "better safe than sorry" attitude towards fishkeeping. I QT anything new for 4 weeks & treat with Levamisole on all new stock simply for the fact I got the Camallanus infection from my LFS which is the only place near me that usually sells high quality fish. If I have to sacrifice some for the health of the others I'll do it. I'll start with the Levamisole tomorrow, blackout for a day or two and inspect the shrimp afterwards to see if the parasites are removed. If successful I plan to repeat this process for 4 weeks. I know dosing the whole tank is not ideal, and I don't want to do it, but I also don't want my shrimp to continue living with parasites. I had a Bamboo Shrimp for 2 years that died recently and I wanted to get another but now I have to wait until I get these little buggers eradicated. If you can find any information on Levamisole treatment for them let me know, otherwise I'm going to start this treatment tomorrow and post updates as I go. If there's another option other than individual dips with the 3 medications I have at my disposal let me know. Would salting the tank for 30 minutes to an hour then a full water change be an option? Also anymore information about this parasite would be helpful. I know it's a type of nematode same as planaria and Camallanus and Levamisole treats for nematode infections so hopefully I can get somewhere with this.

 

I honestly wouldn't treat the tank with salt but the dosage is 1tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5g that may have to be increased, but I fear for your whole stock doing that.
Fenbendazole also works his kills them but will also kill your snails just like the salt could.
Scutariella Japonica are Parasitic Nematodes and they are 2nd on my list so I can't see it not working, Dosage 1ml per 7ltrs of aquarium water that dosage is for Blackspot disease but I'd start there or dose what you've done before,

Seechem prazipro also works.

This is my list I have for lavemasole!
Camallanus
Nematodirus / Nematodes
Threadworms
Cooperia
Eustrongylides
Capillaria
Contracaecum
• Stomach worms —

Haemonchus
Ostertagia
Trichostrongylus

• Nodular worms —

Oesophagostomum
Chabertia
• Hook worms —

Bunostomum
Necator
Ancylostoma
• Lung worms —

Dictyocaulus

 

I honestly wouldn't treat the tank with salt but the dosage is 1tablespoon of aquarium salt per 5g that may have to be increased, but I fear for your whole stock doing that.
Fenbendazole also works his kills them but will also kill your snails just like the salt could.
Scutariella Japonica are Parasitic Nematodes and they are 2nd on my list so I can't see it not working, Dosage 1ml per 7ltrs of aquarium water that dosage is for Blackspot disease but I'd start there or dose what you've done before,

Seechem prazipro also works.

This is my list I have for lavemasole!
Camallanus
Nematodirus / Nematodes
Threadworms
Cooperia
Eustrongylides
Capillaria
Contracaecum
• Stomach worms —

Haemonchus
Ostertagia
Trichostrongylus

• Nodular worms —

Oesophagostomum
Chabertia
• Hook worms —

Bunostomum
Necator
Ancylostoma
• Lung worms —

Dictyocaulus

Ok. So that's about 1ml per 2 gallons? That'd be about 14-15ml for a 29G tank right? That's half the dosage I used for Camallanus.

 

I'm glad yo worked it out, I get the wife to do it my brains in retirement

 

I have had luck with tank wide salt treatments. In my experience, the amount richiep had for starting worked well - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons, with no ill effects for any stock or plants. I would hesitate to do a tank wide treatment any higher then that though, so if it doesn't clear it up would look into the alternative treatments before dosing more salt and possibly causing issues for some plants or more sensitive inhabitants.

 

I have had luck with tank wide salt treatments. In my experience, the amount richiep had for starting worked well - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons, with no ill effects for any stock or plants. I would hesitate to do a tank wide treatment any higher then that though, so if it doesn't clear it up would look into the alternative treatments before dosing more salt and possibly causing issues for some plants or more sensitive inhabitants.

Thanks for coming in there I was concerned about the amount of salt as I've not tested that at all.
Hopefully lavemasole will work but that's a good fall back now

 

Thanks for coming in there I was concerned about the amount of salt as I've not tested that at all.
Hopefully lavemasole will work but that's a good fall back now

So, I dosed with Levamisole Monday, did a full tank change today and the most infested shrimp looked pretty clear, but some did survive treatment. I saw one on a shrimp and I see eggs in another. I removed a molt as well. Is it possible that Levamisole will still work or does it not killing all of them on the first treatment mean it's not going to work? I know things like these can become resistant to medications. Since I've used Levamisole for Camallanus before is it possible they're resistant to it now or do I just need to keep dosing? If this isn't going to work I'm gonna have to try PraziPro or a tank wide salt treatment and hope my snails are ok.

 

I wouldn't have done a full water change first you've stopped the lavemasole in its tracks second there's a high probability you shocked the shrimp which can have consequences, if the scutariella was still present then a second dose should have followed, but on what your saying I don't think lavemasole is going to work,
I'd go and buy no planaria or planaria zero and treat with what we know works
If the shrimp are visible catch them and do a salt dip

 

I wouldn't have done a full water change first you've stopped the lavemasole in its tracks second there's a high probability you shocked the shrimp which can have consequences, if the scutariella was still present then a second dose should have followed, but on what your saying I don't think lavemasole is going to work,
I'd go and buy no planaria or planaria zero and treat with what we know works
If the shrimp are visible catch them and do a salt dip

Ok I was just going for the treatment regiment that I used for Camallanus. I was assuming it would have worked the same way. I will have to order the NoPlanaria from somewhere. Is it snail safe? An how does the Levamisole treatment for Scutariella vary from Camallanus? When treating for them I would dose and blackout for 2-3 days, do a full water change and repeat the process for 4 weeks. What should I have done differently?

 

You take a chance with snails with no planaria planaria zero and fenbendazole
Why its not worked with Scutarulia and did with
Camallanus I can only assume its a different strain of Nematode.
Apart from leaving the lavemasoile in longer and redosing after 48 hrs I dont know even then you're on new ground and don't know what would happen.
I don't think the black out dose anything
If you csn tempt the shrimp out and net them id do a salt dip as you see them,

 

You take a chance with snails with no planaria planaria zero and fenbendazole
Why its not worked with Scutarulia and did with
Camallanus I can only assume its a different strain of Nematode.
Apart from leaving the lavemasoile in longer and redosing after 48 hrs I dont know even then you're on new ground and don't know what would happen.
I don't think the black out dose anything
If you csn tempt the shrimp out and net them id do a salt dip as you see them,

The black out was for the Levamisole because it's UV Sensitive. I'll redose tonight when the lights go off. I did a full water change because my fish and snails appeared stressed and perked up after the change. My parameters stay about the same. pH doesn't fluctuate except by maybe a 0.2. If the Levamisole doesn't work I have a plan I think will work. I'm going to salt the whole tank, but instead of just leaving the salt in there I'm going to do it on the day of my water change so it's only in there for the same amount of time a regular salt dip/bath would be. Assuming that works and kills off the Scutariella I'll repeat it for 3-4 weeks to handle any eggs that hatch in between the treatment. If salt doesn't work I'll have to keep looking for a safe solution because I don't want to get rid of my snails. I've had that Nerite for 6 years and he's survived moving through 7 tanks & several different medicines and cycles while I was learning how to maintain tanks properly. He's a survivor that one. If I have luck with the Levamisole the 2nd time around I'll supplement treatment with Salt Dips on any Shrimps that have stragglers. It appeared to have at least partially worked. The most heavily infested shrimp was clear and I only saw 1 shrimp with a single parasite on him. If the dosage for Levamisole is 1ml per gallon can I safely overdose by a little bit or is that dangerous to the fish?

You take a chance with snails with no planaria planaria zero and fenbendazole
Why its not worked with Scutarulia and did with
Camallanus I can only assume its a different strain of Nematode.
Apart from leaving the lavemasoile in longer and redosing after 48 hrs I dont know even then you're on new ground and don't know what would happen.
I don't think the black out dose anything
If you csn tempt the shrimp out and net them id do a salt dip as you see them,

I don't want to give them a chance to repopulate, but I also don't want to leave the Levamisole in there for more than 2-3 days at a time as my Columbian Ramshorn has a really hard time with it. Before changing the water he was laying on his side on the substrate. Also do we know if Scutariella can infest large shrimp species such as Bamboo/Filter Feeding Shrimp?

 

I've never seen it on any other shrimp than neocaradina
It's an awkward position your in not being able to leave lavemasole in to long
To save dosing more meds just dip them in salt as you see them, scutariella is not going to wipe them out

 

I've never seen it on any other shrimp than neocaradina
It's an awkward position your in not being able to leave lavemasole in to long
To save dosing more meds just dip them in salt as you see them, scutariella is not going to wipe them out

It looks like the Levamisole thinned them out but didn't kill them all. I did a salt dip on the ones I visibly saw affected. All but 1 looked clear afterwards and to avoid putting them through osmotic shock I didn't dip it again. Im going to do another dose of Levamisole tonight of which will hopefully pick off the straggler and any unseen parasites. I understand they're not going to wipe them out but they're unsightly and I'm sure someone attached to your head drinking your plasma and laying eggs inside your shell and gills isn't very comfortable. I also would like to eradicate them before adding another Bamboo Shrimp as I'm sure they wouldn't respond to treatments very well. I've put way to much time and effort into my tank and acceptance of the planaria to let yet another unwanted and potentially harmful creature move in. Hopefully the combination of salt dips and tank treatments for juice worms/hatched eggs will work.

 

It as been found shrimp need 3 dips before they come off, I wouldn't worry about shock there, but you do what you feel is right, lavemasole is safe