I give up!

[Krisvalkyrie]

A while back I posted about a huge chunk of my fish getting sick with the same thing - likely hemorrhagic septicemia. Well, the antibiotic stopped them from dying quickly, which was good, however, NOTHING I put in that tank is killing the worms that are hanging out of their anal area. NOTHING!

I just tried some flubendizol? I don't know - it is a white powder....just like every other medicine. I treated their food to make sure they injested it - I have been going crazy, and I need a better option than putting them all in the freezer. I am talking 6 discus (lost 2) threadfins, livebearers, etc.

Actually, the threadfins look fine, and haven't been dying, but I am afraid to mix them with other fish in case they have the worms too, but it is hard to tell because their own fin structure hides where the worm would be.

Any advice?

[szidlon]

Have you tried PraziPro, you can soak their food in it like the Gel-Tek products as well.

[rrocket2002]

Wow! I'm sorry you have this issue.

I don't have much in advice for the parasite problem you have, but I do hope you have luck in eradicating the problem.

You can try this...

Fenbendazole
Fenbendazole is a medicine used to fight gastrointestinal parasites found in many animals. It is used by farmers, pet owners, aquarists, and many others to fight against parasites in their livestock. Fenbendazole is sold under some commercial names such as Panacur and Safe Guard.*

*http://www.planetinverts.com/killing...and_hydra.html

[sunrise]

Have you tried metronidazole? It works on parasites and bacterial infections.

[Tiapan]

im sooo sorry you have lost so many fish. these peeps seem to have a great many suggestions for medication, good luck and i hope your fish get better soon.

[edmlfc]

I used prazipro to treat my tank. I have a planted tank and it didn't effect anything but it did kill the worms. If it's tapeworms you will need to treat again in a few months.

[Krisvalkyrie]

Ok, found a book that has a picture - they are suffering from camallanus worms - it is a nematode worm that lives and draws blood from the intestinal and anus lining. Likely got it from the mollies and live bearers. The book is kinda sketchy on how to get rid of them though - and suggests veterinary medicine - anyone ever dealt with this worm specifically?

[Krisvalkyrie]

Anyone know where to get levasole or levamisole? Any one have any on hand that I don't have to wait for shipping on?

[nacra99]

...worms that are hanging out of their anal area. ....
Any advice?

hey Kris,
Do they look like red / brownish threads? If so, it's camallanus
2 options...

1) fenbendazole (panacur) - order from jehmco.com

2) levamisole (sheep dewormer) - try the local feed farm. This is also sold as bird de-wormer (sticky black liquid) but AVOID this if possible...makes your tank water real nasty. Go for the sheep dewormer.

i'd reccomend levamisole. Should be easier to obtain locally.
here's a link to AC on levamisole dosages.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104791

Good luck!

[Krisvalkyrie]

Thanks!

It is definitely camellanus. grrr.

I think I am going to treat all of my tanks, just in case - will this stuff harm shrimp? I worry that they might be carriers of developing stages of the worms...

[rrocket2002]

fenbendazole supposingly has been used and did not kill the shrimp. Dosing is the issue from what I read. How much is a "pinch"?

[PhishPhreek]

I used it to get rid of hydra in my fry tanks.
Fenbendazole is sold in most LPS under the commercial name Safe Guard. Safe Guard comes in granular form in packets of 1 gram each. For more
Matt Patrick had success with 2mg of Fenbendazole per gallon in shrimp tanks. Each packet of the powder contains 222mg of Fenbendazole so one packet would treat 111 gallons of water. Fenbendazole is reportedly difficult to dissolve in water. So I put 5 tablespoons of hot water and half a packet of Fenbendazole in my magic bullet (mini-blender) and zapped it for 5 seconds. I think the hot water and the blender did a good job of helping it dissolve. Then I added 1 tablespoon of the solution to each of 5 infected 10-gallon tanks with baby bettas ranging in age from 4 to 7 weeks old and crossed my fingers. Within 24 hours all the hydra were gone and even my 4-week-old fry had survived.

Don't know it that strength will kill internal parasites but it sure won't hurt you other stuff.

[Krisvalkyrie]

Thanks for the advice - will hit up a pet shop tomorrow.

[Krisvalkyrie]

Ok, none of the pet stores had either of those medicines, and had no idea what we were talking about.

Anyone have any on hand, or where to order it from?

[PhishPhreek]

I have half a packet left. You're welcome to it.

JungleJim's 9300 E.F.Lowry Expressway TexasCity
Has SafeGuard in stock. I saw it hanging on the wall behind the cash register when I was there to pick up blackworms yesterday.