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I was checking my fish this evening and saw this small blood clot-like, "amoeba-looking" thing stuck to my L260's pectoral fin. I lifted the fish to check and found a smaller one on its belly, also near the first one. I tried touching it and it felt slime-y. Never seen one before. I figure it to be a parasite.

Has anyone seen one of these? I pryed both off my 260's body and both of them came loose. I immediately set off to burn the suckers using matches. Funny this was, these things popped (much like burning ticks). What is it? Can others show up and infect or infest the other fish? What should I do?

Parameters (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 0-10 ppm nitrates) are fine except that it has been pretty hot lately. Sometimes the tanks hit 33-34 degrees in the afternoons and early evenings. Gravel cleanings and water changes of 30-50% are done every other day and media are cleaned once a week. I transferred new fish from quarantine recently but both did not exhibit these weird stuff. Think it was the new fish? (SARS?! heh3x. I don't think so). Thanks for the replies.

Mike D.

Instead of using a match on them you should have tried a microscope...

Sounds like you have a bunch of fish mites. In themselves, not really harmful to the fish. if you really want to get rid of them, I think the only way is to remove the fish, drain the tank and let it dry out for a couple of weeks.

Caol_ila wrote:Instead of using a match on them you should have tried a microscope...

I agree. Far better to drop it into a bit of clear spirit alcohol and try to get a picture to show us. Sounds interesting.

Thanks Silurus. How do these things show up anyway? I shall do what needs to be done.

Have you been feeding live food to your fish? If so, that's probably how the mites got into the tank.

hi mokmu, looks like your L260 is just fine.. well u could add some antibiotic to ur tank, when u go hir ill give u some , I think that u must rinse ur fresh food well before u feed them to ur plecs...

Adding antibiotics to your tank is ALMOST ALWAYS A BAD IDEA.

Why?

First, in most cases, we aren't able to identify the species of bacterium we want to kill, and end up killing the good guys instead of the bad guys. As you know, aquariums (like the human gut) depend on bacterial populations of many species to stay in balance. When you mess with antibiotics, you throw your aquarium out of balance, and in the process do harm to your fish.

Second, indiscriminate use of antibiotics -- in fish tanks or elsewhere -- contributes to the widespread emergence of antibiotic resistance and the resurgence of previously controllable infectious diseases.

If you feel the urge to dump some antibiotics into your tank, just do a water change instead. A little more work, but a lot better for both you and your fish.

Dinyar

not antibiotics, sorry.. Instead water conditioner. I always use this when the shipment of my plecs arrives...

Thanks everyone. I currently have replaced 80% of the water, did a thorough gravel cleaning as well. Will report how everything goes.


Thanks PlecoManiac. Yes, I still have to re-shedule that visit to your place. I am feeling much better now after that swelling of my tonsils. Whew, almost had minor surgery there.

nyc to hir that mike.. Get well soon to u and ur pets..