20 Gallon Tank Tiny White Hairs on Betta

Tank
20 gallon
How long has the tank been running? 2-3 months
Does it have a filter? Yes
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 76
What is the entire stocking of this tank?
5 female bettas
6 cloud mountain minnows
3 otocinclus
3 dwarf frogs
5 cherry shrimp
1 mystery snail


Maintenance
How often do you change the water? about 15% once a week
What do you use to treat your water? Dechlorinator plus bacteria starter for maintenance once a month
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? Substrate

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
What do you use to test the water? API freshwater master kit
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5
pH: 7.6

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? 2 times per day
How much do you feed your fish? a sprinkling—enough to be eaten in one minute (they all eat very quickly)
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Hikari Vibra Bites and Hikari Betta Bio-Gold
Do you feed frozen? Frozen bloodworms for frogs, and the bettas each get one of the bloodworms every other day
Do you feed freeze-dried foods? No

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? 3 months
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? Today
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Tiny white “hairs” protruding from body and face
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? Healthy besides somewhat torn/tattered fins
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? Behavior remains normal: active, social with other fish, normal appetite, no strange behaviors or movements

Explain your emergency situation in detail.
I’ve just noticed that my female betta has several tiny white hair-like bits protruding from her body and head. None of my other fish seem to be affected. Any idea if this is a fungus, parasite, or other illness? Any ideas on how to treat it? Googling has left me stumped and I’m worried about poor Nugget

 

Anchor worms?

Here is a more in-depth article on Anchor worms, which I believe is what these are. Surprisingly they are not actually worms. Also considered rare in the hobby but not unheard of.


Anchor Worms On Betta (Causes, Symptoms & Treatment) - Betta Care Fish Guide

Hope this helps

 

Anchor Worm (Lernaea sp.) is a copepod (type of crustacean).

 

Oh jeez, she is COVERED in them! Thanks so much for the quick diagnosis. I thought anchor worms were much bigger, but yeah it looks like these are tiny ones.

Has anyone had experience treating them? There are SO MANY on my poor fish and I’m doubtful that I’ll be able to pull them all out individually. Does anyone know if treating with potassium permanganate will get rid of any anchor worms that I’m unable to extract?

Also, I think the anchor worms hitched a ride on some duckweed I ordered online since it’s the only plant I recently introduced. Beware of duckweed, y’all (and don’t be a dummy like me and not quarantine your plants ).

 

Thise aren't anchorworms to me.

 

Thise aren't anchorworms to me.

Any ideas on what they could be? I agree that they don’t really look like anchor worms I’ve seen in photos, but I’m not sure.

 

Any ideas on what they could be? I agree that they don’t really look like anchor worms I’ve seen in photos, but I’m not sure.

I think they are some kind of nematod.
Use a dewormer / antifluke med will probably solve the issue

 

I think they are some kind of nematod.
Use a dewormer / antifluke med will probably solve the issue

Thank you! I’m treating with an anti-parasitic. Fingers crossed it does the trick!

 

Thank you! I’m treating with an anti-parasitic. Fingers crossed it does the trick!

yeah lets hope!

 

Update: Nugget is free of parasites after using Lifeguard All-in-One 5-Day Treatment in the hospital tank. Just in time to free up the hospital tank to turn it into a grow out tank for my baby mystery snails (after treating/cleaning/changing the water to remove all medication, of course)!

I’m so grateful for all of your help, my fish friends!