Sorry for the crappy picture ... any idea what kind of isopod that is on the clown on the left? Everytime I try to net the fish, the isopod falls off before I can get it. How do I get this (probably more than one) out of my tank?
Isopod on my clown?
- Thread starter foxt
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Try to catch the fish in a clear plastic container, the type you get sandwich meat in. I imagine Interceptor would work if used properly to kill off the isopods.
This is basic/general info, but I just thought I'd add it in here:
Isopod Parasites (very rare):
Symptoms - These are more frequently seen on shrimp, but some species target fish. They are nocturnal and difficult to distinguish from beneficial amphipods you may have in your aquarium. So, the best way to detect their presence is to watch your fish for evidence of their existence. You will notice bite marks (it’s most evident on any yellow fish), or even the alarming sight of some attached to your fish when the lights first come on. There are even “tongue eating isopods.”
Treatment options - First, remove all fish (except one easy-to-catch yellow fish). The yellow fish will be used as “bait” to draw out and remove the isopods from the fish’s skin (by using tweezers). Rinse & repeat until there is no more evidence of fish-attacking isopods in your tank.
Isopod Parasites (very rare):
Symptoms - These are more frequently seen on shrimp, but some species target fish. They are nocturnal and difficult to distinguish from beneficial amphipods you may have in your aquarium. So, the best way to detect their presence is to watch your fish for evidence of their existence. You will notice bite marks (it’s most evident on any yellow fish), or even the alarming sight of some attached to your fish when the lights first come on. There are even “tongue eating isopods.”
Treatment options - First, remove all fish (except one easy-to-catch yellow fish). The yellow fish will be used as “bait” to draw out and remove the isopods from the fish’s skin (by using tweezers). Rinse & repeat until there is no more evidence of fish-attacking isopods in your tank.
Is anilocra gigantea the tongue-eating isopod? I hope that's not it.
Seems like to get a definitive id, I will need to catch the villain. It fell off when I started trying to net the fish, so I will need to find a gentler way to capture the host. I did see an article in the past that suggests a way to trap these after lights out, so I will give that a try too.
Please keep the ideas coming! This is a new 220g tank, has had nothing in it except the live rock/sand I used to seed the tank, so whatever it is came in on that stuff. Since I only have these two fish in the tank, I can get them out easily if I need to treat the tank. The problem will likely be that I am betting that any treatment options I have will also nuke all of the other beneficial stuff in the tank, right?
Seems like to get a definitive id, I will need to catch the villain. It fell off when I started trying to net the fish, so I will need to find a gentler way to capture the host. I did see an article in the past that suggests a way to trap these after lights out, so I will give that a try too.
Please keep the ideas coming! This is a new 220g tank, has had nothing in it except the live rock/sand I used to seed the tank, so whatever it is came in on that stuff. Since I only have these two fish in the tank, I can get them out easily if I need to treat the tank. The problem will likely be that I am betting that any treatment options I have will also nuke all of the other beneficial stuff in the tank, right?
Just saw humble's post re: using an easy-to-catch yellow fish as "bait". I might try that - but I'm leery of introducing any fish without proper QT. I read somewhere that I can try to acclimate mollies and use them - does that sound feasible?
I would think the isopod may be hard to see on black mollies - but maybe silver or gold mollies?
Yes, I was thinking that I would use a light-colored molly. Something that I would not mind having as a long-term member of the tank.
In the meantime, no sign of reattachment. I need to come up with a way to catch the host without allowing the parasite to fall off. The first time I tried, I think it was just the rapid movement of the fish through the water that shook the thing off. Maybe a fish trap is in order?
In the meantime, no sign of reattachment. I need to come up with a way to catch the host without allowing the parasite to fall off. The first time I tried, I think it was just the rapid movement of the fish through the water that shook the thing off. Maybe a fish trap is in order?
That would work. Use a fish trap which is "solid" - not made out of eggcrate or has holes for the isopod to escape.
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