Parasite care/treatment

[assafelbaz]

Hi.

I see on my blue tang, on his tail, a white parasite. It looks like a short worm.
Is there a way to take care of it? Is it dangerous?

Thanks.

 

[wontonflip]

You sure it's not a piece of sand? Need I mention that the tang should be in a larger tank? ;)

If he's eating, I'd say leave it be unless you plan to treat ALL the fish specifically for whatever ails them and leave your dt fallow for a few months.

 

[assafelbaz]

Piece of sand that size on his tail? What do you mean larger tank, more than 75 gallon? i don't think so... :shock:

 

[Bifferwine]

Minimum tank size for a blue tang is 180 gallons. Although you may think your fish is small, they need A LOT of swimming space for their size. They get stressed and sick very easily if they are in a tank that is too small for them.

Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Yellow Belly Regal Blue Tang

 

[assafelbaz]

I didn't know that... Anyway, now that i have it, can i treat the parasite?

 

[wontonflip]

I didn't know that... Anyway, now that i have it, can i treat the parasite?

Well, like I said, if you plan on treating ALL the fish in a qt tank AND leave your tank fallow for a few months, then sure. Otherwise it's pointless since he'll get it again once you put him back in (the parasite is no doubt already in your tank and other fish -- just not showing symptoms).

If he's eating, leave him be. You'll just cause more stress.

 

[FishyReef]

Read this:

https://www.livingreefs.com/oh-no-have-ich-do-do-t30950.html

 

[Northstar24]

You can start by researching livestock for your tank and make the appropriate stocking choices based on the size of your tank. Putting a fish in a tank smaller than it should be in will contribute to a fishes stress, which makes it more likely for a parasite to take hold and infect the fish

Since you didn't bother doing that here, you're only option is to treat the fish if it is unable to fight this off on its own. You're going to be best served by doing this in a seperate QT tank, as anything that will kill the parasite is not safe for reef tanks. You might as well take all the fish out of the display and treat them, and leave the tank fallow (fishless) for at least 8 weeks

 

[yote]

If it looks like a short worm,then it's most likely a fluke.
Flukes - Page 1