Parasites

09-29-2003, 01:15 PM

Just got home to find a bunch of small white parasites zippn around the tank... I believe they came from the live rock I bought this weekend. Does anybody now what this may be or what I can do to get rid of it?

Thanks,

09-29-2003, 01:25 PM

btw, these parasites are swimming at the top of the tank...

Jason McKenzie · 09-29-2003, 01:55 PM

They could be any number of things, but odds are they are good for the tank. Most likely Amphipods or copepods

Check out WetWeb for details

J

Gooser · 09-30-2003, 03:29 AM

They are still too small to identify... here are the characteristics... hundreds of pinheads swarming at the top of the tank when the lights are on... although most appear white in color, i've noticed some in a reddish color... not sure if the tank lights are meesing with me. Anyway, they seem to drop down to the sand bed or live rock when the lights go out... I've also noticed some white spots on my Yellow Tang' fins this morning (still eating very well) I wonder if the parasites are stressing him out and developing ich. In addition, I noticed one of the "red" parasites attached to my Chromis.... any thoughts?

Jason McKenzie · 09-30-2003, 04:16 AM

That sound opposite to how copepods would behave. Usually they stay in the rock until lights out. Can you catch some in a plastic dish and take a pic?

Anyone else out there have any Ideas??

J

Gooser · 09-30-2003, 04:37 AM

that does seem a bit odd... I emailed the Wet Web Media guys for help...

Thanks,

Gooser · 09-30-2003, 06:42 AM

Well, I have some news... don't know if it's good or bad but it appears the parasites have diminished... either have died or got sucked thru the filters, the tang also looks alot better, ich is just about gone... perhaps I just over-reacted but it's something I haven't encountered before...

Thanks,

Jason McKenzie · 09-30-2003, 06:45 AM

Not to worry, I think everyone starts typing away as soon as something goes a little differently than expected. I'd still like to know what those thinks were. How long has you tank been up and running?
I'm wondering if it was Fri (baby fish don't know the right spelling)of some sort that came in with some LR or something???

Gooser · 09-30-2003, 06:50 AM

I will definately keep you posted just as soon as I here from the Wet Web... Unfortunately, I don't have a microscope, I would love to see what it is... They don't seem to wiggle like a worm or shrimp, it's more like a dart...

Gooser · 09-30-2003, 06:55 AM

btw, my tank is only about 3 months old
46 gal bow front, 30lbs live rock, seaclone 100, eheim 2213. blue damsel, chromis, Yellow Tang, cleaner shrimp, 1 turbo snail... just started...