White Worm Inside Ghost Shrimp

Hi everyone!

I've had a group of 5 ghost shrimp in a one gallon tank for about a month now, and from a few days after I got them, I noticed that there was a white string-like thing inside one of the shrimps. Since I was kind of a newbie to shrimps and thought that it was probably just its stomach or something, I ignored it. Today, the shrimp infected seemed very lethargic, and is laying on a plant (not dead, since it moved when tweezers came near it). It's a wonder how it even lived this long. I searched the web for information about this, and horsehair worms seems to fit the description 100%

I've checked all the other shrimps, and none of them seem to have a worm in them yet. What should I do? I am so grossed and freaked out by this. This is literally my worst nightmare, and parasitic worms in general make me very squeamish. Is there any natural way to treat this? Should I separated the shrimp so others that might not have been infected won't get it? Is it possible to quarantine it using a jar of some sort, since their tank is already my quarantine tank? Any help is appreciated!

 

Ghost shrimp can sometimes be found with horse hair worms inside them. It is a nasty parasite that will eventually kill the host. If you can get a picture we can verify it is indeed a nasty worm.

If it is a horse hair worm I suggest you euthanize the shrimp and toss it in the trash.

 

What your describing is horse hair, get it out

 

Thank you guys! I just saw the pictures of horsehair worms. I am so grossed out, and seriously wanna puke. Yes, I am very sure that is is horsehair. How should I euthanise? Or should I maybe put it in a mason jar so it might still live the rest of its life? I just watched a video of a guy chopping off a shrimp's head. I don't have clove oil. Is there a better way to end its life?

 

The shrimp is already suffering so will be best to euthanise, you'll do the shrimp z favour cutting its head off

 

The shrimp is already suffering so will be best to euthanise, you'll do the shrimp z favour cutting its head off

Oh. Off with its head... I guess. Thanks!

 

I actually chose to do the freezer method, and he's currently in my fridge right now with some of his tank water. I heard that with smaller fish, the fridge then freezer method is painless, and I'm not sure I could de-brain the shrimp after I cut its head off. It just seemed the most painless way.

Feels weird having dinner while my shrimp in dying, but what can I say? It's my first time euthanizing a pet at home. RIP shrimp #5.