Common Parasites

[Lolafish]

These are common parasites found on Goldfish and pond fish.  One symptom of parasites is flashing, or when a fish will rub against the tank and items in the tank to try and remove the parasite.

Ich (Ichthyophthirius)

Ich is one of the most common parasites.  It is also known as "white spot disease".  It usually attacks a fish that is stressed.  When attached, the ich look like tiny grains of salt all over the body of the victim.  The ich will eventually fall off and lay their eggs in the gravel or substrate and the process will start all over again.  It is very easy to cure, but must not be left untreated as ich can cause other problems and possibly death to the fish.

Treatment:

The window of opportunity to kill ich is during its free-swimming stage.  The most successful treatment is .3% concentration of aquarium salt.  When treating with salt, remove all live plants, and make sure that water params are optimal - do a large WC if necessary.  Treat at 1 teaspoon per gallon, every 12 hours for 3 applications.  Use only non-iodized salt with zero YPS (yellow prussiate of soda).  Treat for 14 days at this strength, replacing the salt by the amount of water changed according to your maintenance requirements.  Over the counter ich treatments usually contain formalin and copper.  Formalin, however, is considered a Goldfish stressor, and may burn their fins badly.  It also does not remain in the water for very long.  Copper is dangerous to plants, and can harm beneficial bacteria (BB) in the biological filter.  Tetra makes a medicated food containing malachite green, which research has shown to eradicate the sub-epidermal form of ich.  It does take a long time to work though, and not all sick fish will eat.   

Fish that has been attacked by Ich:


© Cosmos.com.sg

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Fish Lice (Argulus)

These parasites will look like tiny green disks on the fish.  They reproduce quickly and can be removed by hand.  The tank must also be treated.

Treatment:



Dimilin can be used to treat lice on fish.  Treatment is recommended for a full 28 days.  Dimilin will not harm plants or your biological filter.  It may cause some slight hazing/cloudiness during treatment.  The smell is very sweet!  Replace with every WC.  Always remove carbon from your filters during medicinal treatments.

Close up of Louse:


© PetFishTalk.com


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Anchor Worm (Lernea Elegans)


© Fish-helpline.co.uk

Not a year round concern in hobbyists, but is a seasonal threat.  Unlike other parasites, they are not triggered by stress.  They are explosively contagious though, and must be treated.  This worm may be white, yellow, tan, or even dark green in color and will stick out of the fish.  There will be a red spot where it is attached. It may look like a "harpoon" sticking out of the fish.  The worm is not active, and does not move around on the fish.  Secondary bacterial infections caused by the wound may be life threatening.

Treatment:



Dimilin can be used to treat anchor worm.  Treatment is recommended for a full 28 days.  Dimilin will not harm plants or your biological filter.  It may cause some slight hazing/cloudiness during treatment.  The smell is very sweet!  Replace with every WC.  Body sores can be treated once or twice at 24 hour intervals with a swab of hydrogen peroxide to help clean and clear the wound quickly.  Use a Q-tip, and be careful not to get the peroxide in the fish's mouth, eyes, or gills.  You can hold your fish right above your tank's surface for the application, or remove it to a large mixing bowl of tank water and hold the fish up out of the water firmly, yet gently.  This is best done with another's help.  Always remove carbon from your filters during medicinal treatments.


Fish that has been attacked by Anchor Worm:


© AquaPuppies.com

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Flukes (Dactylogyrus and Gyrodactylus)

There are different types of flukes, those that attack the gills and those that attack the body of the fish.  They can almost always be found together and are commonly distributed over the body evenly.  The fluke derives its nutrition from the slime coat, and it does not suck blood or bite chunks of tissue from the fish.  It will, however, ingest nutritive mucus via the rear end of the fish.  Eventually, sores or ulcers may develop as a result of scratching behaivor.  It is probably safe to say that any fish that feature bacterial ulcers on the body are or have been parasitized by flukes.

Flukes will do considerable damage to the gills if left untreated.  They can trigger bacterial gill disease as well.   

Symptoms of flukes are lethargy, gasping at the surface, bottom sitting, gills off color and clotted-looking.  The fish may also have a heavy slime coat and clamped fins.  It may hide as if it is scared.  We recommend that all new fish you get be treated for flukes due to their commonality. 

Close up of Fluke:


© Fishdeals.com

Treatment:



Prazi, or Praziquantal - Comes in two forms: Aqua Prazi (full strength) and Prazi Q or Prazi Pro (milder strength).  The difference is length of treatment.  Aqua Prazi can be treated for 7 days for complete treatment, but Prazi Q should be administered a few times back to back.  Some experts suggest seasonal, or at least annual treatments, and anytime a new fish is placed in QT.  Prazi is a safe and gentle way to eradicate flukes, and can be administered along with Dimilin.  Always remove carbon from your filters during medicinal treatments.

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Velvet Disease or Gold Dust (Oodinium)

Symptoms of affected Goldfish are:

• Scratchs against hard objects
• Fish is lethargic
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Rapid, labored breathing
• Fins clamped against body
• Fine yellow or rusty colored film on skin
• In advanced stages skin peeks off

Treatment:

Raise water temperature
Dim lights for several days
Add aquarium salt
Treat with copper sulphate for ten days
Discontinue carbon filtration during treatment

Because Oodinium is dependant on light, dimming the aquarium lights aids in eliminating the infestation. Increasing the water temperature to 82°F will speed the process, and adding salt to the water will ease the labored breathing caused by destruction of gill tissue.  Always remove carbon from your filters during medicinal treatments.


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Intestinal Worms (tapeworm, Anasakis and Capillaria)

All living creatures, including goldfish can have parasites. Parasites are a natural occurrence, not really an illness. They become a goldfish health concern when our goldfish begins to suffer.  Parasites can be eliminated or at least controlled by following a few simple steps.
 
There are some obvious symptoms of parasite infestations in our goldfish. Goldfish that are overloaded with parasites will often appear listless. They may exhibit loss of weight even if they are eating a normal amount of goldfish food.

The most common internal parasite in koi and goldfish is the tape worm. Tape worms are long, fine, white, ribbon-like worms that can be found tangled in the intestines of the fish. If a goldfish becomes heavily infected, it will lose condition and could very likely suffer intestinal blockage.

Treatment:



Dimilin can be used to treat intestinal worms.  Treatment is recommended for a full 28 days.  Dimilin will not harm plants or your biological filter.  It may cause some slight hazing/cloudiness during treatment.  The smell is very sweet!  Replace with every WC.  Always remove carbon from your filters during medicinal treatments.

[Kintaro]

I'm constantly amazed at how many Goldfish owners do not treat for flukes during the quarantine procedure.  Most do the obligatory 0.3% salting treatment and call it a day.  According to Rick at GFC, he has never seen a new Goldie that did not come with flukes! Flukes cannot be seen with the naked eye, only under a scope! Flukes kill more Goldies than any other parasites! Salt does NOT kill flukes!

Treating for flukes is a mandatory procedure when you get new fish and it probably should be an annual event after that as well. With the advent of a drug like Prazi-Pro, which unlike the effective but ultra-nasty Clout, is sooooo gentle on the Goldies and basically stress free, there is no excuse whatsoever not to treat a new fish for flukes. Not only that, it is so gentle that it does not even bother the good bacs so it will not affect your cycle.

I get email newsletters from Rick and I dug up one that he sent last year regarding Flukes. It is quite an eye opener and anyone that has not seen it should read it.   

Here it is:

Goldfish Care: The Number One Parasite Enemy!
Goldfish Collectors Number One Parasite Enemy ??
Rick Hess
© Goldfishconnection.com


We've imported thousands of Goldfish from all over the world and we never received a Goldfish that did not have flukes. Flukes have caused more deaths for Goldfish Collectors than any other parasite. Here's what you should know about flukes and how to keep them from harming your Goldfish friends.

First of all you cannot see flukes with the naked eye, they are microscopic. The life span of a fluke in warm water is 14 to 30 days, however, in cold water, eggs and adults can survive up to seven months. This is why it's so important for Goldfish collectors with ponds to treat their fish every spring and fall for flukes.

There are two classes of flukes: Dactylogyrus (Dacs) and Gyrodactylus (Gyros).

Dactylogyrus (Dacs): are called gill flukes, however, Dacs are also found on the body. Dacs are "egg layers". Depending on the temperature of the water the eggs can hatch from 4 to 30 days. No treatment will terminate Dacs in the "egg stage". For this reason treatments must be done over a period of time and that time depends on the temperature of the water. The warmer the water, the faster the eggs will hatch making the treatment time shorter.


Gyrodactylus (Gyros): are called body flukes, however, Gyros are also found on the gills. Gyros are " Live Bearers". As soon as the young are born they attack your Goldfish. A treatment of five to seven days will solve your Gyro problem.


How do Flukes harm my Goldfish?
Flukes bite through the Goldfish's protective "slime coat" into the skin of the Goldfish causing deadly bacterial forming ulcers which can be fatal to your Goldfish. Gill flukes will eat away healthy gills to a point your Goldfish will not be able to breath.


How do I know if my Goldfish have Flukes?
The only sure way to know is by checking the "slime coat" of the Goldfish under a microscope.


I don't have a microscope, are there other signs of flukes I can look for?
Here are some of the signs that could be caused by flukes.


"Flashing" (rubbing off objects and the bottom and sides of an aquarium or pond) is a good sign of parasites, however, parasites of all types can cause "flashing" not just flukes.


"Yawning" again, is a good sign of parasites, however, parasites of all types can cause "Yawning" not just flukes. Something sruck in the Goldfish's throat can also cause "Yawning".


"Labored Breathing" again, is a good sign of parasites, however, parasites of all types can cause "Labored breathing" not just flukes. High ammonia and high nitrites can also cause heavy breathing.


How do I treat my Goldfish for flukes?
I remember the days when the treatment for flukes did almost as much harm to our Goldfish than the flukes! Those days are gone forever, thanks to Praziquantel (Prazi)!!

Prazi will not harm the "good bacteria" in your filter or stress your Goldfish in any way. We have had Goldfish as small as an inch and a half eat Prazi with no problems. Our Prazi Q is excellent for Goldfish aquariums up to 55 gallons. Our Aqua-Prazi would be the best choice for Goldfish aquariums over 55 gallons and Goldfish ponds.
Note: The myth that salt will kill flukes is just a myth.


Don't wait for signs of flukes to appear on your Goldfish. Treat every new Goldfish for flukes no matter where you bought him. In fact, I would treat all your Goldfish at least once a year for flukes, it will not hurt them. For Goldfish Collectors with ponds, I would treat every spring and then again in the fall just before your Goldfish get ready for their long winter's nap.

Keeping your Goldfish and Goldfish aquarium free from deadly flukes will bring you a long way in keeping your Goldfish happy and healthy!