Crustaceans – Anchor WormsĪlthough they may be true crustaceans, individuals of the Lernea genus have been given the name “anchor worms.”Īnother common parasite in the hobbyist community, the worm part that is visible to the naked eye is only the reproductive organs of this parasite. These parasites are relatively easy to treat, but cannot be eradicated fully. Clinical signs of illness related to these parasites can include red, irritated skin, flashing behavior (rubbing against objects or walls in the tank), or bruises from flashing. Only when an individual or system is stressed do these small numbers rapidly multiply and spread throughout your tank or pond. If you have ever looked at your fishes’ skin mucus under the microscope, you probably have seen them.įlukes exist in almost all systems in very small numbers, but do not always induce clinical signs of disease. Commonly referred to as “flukes,” these parasites are guaranteed to be a problem at least once in any fish keeper’s career.įlukes are microscopic, so they cannot be seen with the naked eye. These small worms can cause extreme irritation to the skin, gills, and eyes in fish. The most basic of the worms are monogenean and digenean trematodes. In aquariums, there are many types of worms that should be noted, from very basic flatworms to prickly bristle worms.
They can contract the same internal and external parasites as their terrestrial cousins. Parasitic worms act only in their best interest and at the expense of their hosts’ resources, whereas commensal worms either benefit their hosts, or have no effect on their host or environment.Īquatic reptiles and amphibians are much different from fish, but they can also be infected with worms.
True worms can be either parasitic or commensal, and internal or external. This worm-like structure is completely normal and is no cause for alarm. Just as mucus coats the feces of other animals, fish tend to pass mucus when they are not eating, or between large, infrequent meals. However, this is not actually a worm at all, but a normal gastrointestinal secretion. Many an aquatic hobbyist is confused when they see a long, milky string coming from their fish’s anus. But other times they can be an indication that something is very wrong with the health of your system. What are they? Where do they come from? Are they dangerous to my fish and their environment?ĭepending on your system and fish aquarium setup, sometimes worms are a normal, natural, and unavoidable occurrence. When keeping aquarium fish, a lot of time and research goes into what is normal versus what is abnormal.
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