I work at a place that sells fish and was called over to check on a tank that a customer had told me was infected with ick. The tank looked clean so I told her it was alright. She said to look at the other side of a silver dollars in the tank, and I noticed a large .. parasite looking creature attached to the fish. I took the fish out and took it to my manager -- whom told me to kill the fish. Instead, I pried the creature off and put it in one container, and kept the fish in another in case it was infected with anything. I decided to do research to see what it was (I'm sure it came in with our shipment).. but came up with nothing.
It was about 1 inch, flat with a leaf shaped back, light green with one dark stripe going down the middle of his back and a few going the other way as well. It had legs and pinchers, and after it was detached swam upside-down most the time, with it's legs in the air. I didn't see a separate head, but it had something that resembled a tail. Ideas?
2007-07-01 17:17:36 · 6 answers · asked by Gizmo 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
I don't really take my camera to work. >.> So I have to just describe it. :( I've been googling it for a while now, and just can't find anything.
2007-07-01 17:34:25 · update #1
Probably a crustacean parasite of some type. See Argulus: http://www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html#Argulus
another web photo of same attached to a fish: http://aquaworld.netfirms.com/Disease/Argulus.htm
2007-07-01 17:57:08 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The disease called "Ich" or "white spot disease" has been a problem to aquarists for generations. Fish infected with this organism typically develop small blister-like raised lesions along the body wall and/or fins. If the infection is restricted to the gills, no white spots will be seen. The gills will appear swollen and be covered with thick mucus. Identification of the parasite on the gills, skin, and/or fins is necessary to conclude that fish has an "ich" infection. The mature parasite ( Figure 1 ) is very large, up to 1000 µm in diameter, is very dark in color due to the thick cilia covering the entire cell, and moves with an amoeboid motion. Classically, I . multifiliis is identified by its large horseshoe-shaped macronucleus. This feature is not always readily visible, however, and should not be the sole criterion for identification. Immature forms of I . multifiliis are smaller and more translucent in appearance. Some individuals have suggested that the immature forms of I . multifiliis resemble Tetrahymena . Fortunately, scanning the preparation will usually reveal the presence of mature parasites and allow confirmation of the diagnosis.
2007-07-01 17:25:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋
I would guess a fish louse. Here's a link with some photos, scroll down almost to the bottom it says fish louse :
http://www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html#Argulus
.
2007-07-01 19:02:49 · answer #3 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a fish louse- a parasitic thing. the fish is probably all right now you peeled it off. Good thing you didn't listen to your manager.:)
2007-07-01 17:52:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey, It is a mutant, probably from the "radiation" fall out from the A-Bomb test near Vegas!
Kill dat thing!!!
*Botta-Boom* *Botta-Bing*
Hey, take that back! ..give it to me, the Hitman!
I'll put it on display!
I'll charge 10 bucks a head for the freak show!
... of course you'll get a kick back, its Vegas Baby!!!
2007-07-01 19:45:42 · answer #5 · answered by HitMan Harry 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hard to say without a picture, and parasites are not my arena, but I'm thinking it's a fluke.
JV
If you can post a pic that'll be a big help
2007-07-01 17:26:18 · answer #6 · answered by I am Legend 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋