This must be a trend...

[mf3011]

I too think I might have an infestation of worms, but I am not quite sure. I thought I saw a couple of worms coming out of one of my fish's anus holes. This same fish is always hungry and looks fine, except for a slightly sunken belly, and the fact that I haven't seen it swallow and keep down food for the past few weeks. I've had it for a month but just noticed this recently. I also saw it do a slow shimmying motion earlier today, which another of my fish did as well. A separate fish has been scratching its sides on the sand ever since I got it a couple of weeks ago, but eats fine and has a very big belly. Are these symptoms of worms? Or do I have some other problem? Thanks in advance!

Mike Finlay

 

[Mike Wise]

It is time for you to do a search here for "Camallanus" and "Levimisol" (sp?). These worms are contagious and even removing the affected fish does not stop the infestation.

 

[mf3011]

Thanks

Thanks Mike, I have already been looking at some of the threads regarding this, because I was afraid this might be the case.
Will this work?

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753421

Or do I need the non-food kind?

 

[Mike Wise]

If your fish are still eating - and will eat the food - it should be OK. Most people just buy straight Livimisol and treat the entire tank. They do this because the eggs of camallanus are still in the tank ready to infect any other fish that comes in contact with them.

 

[RiC]

If it is really the camallanus worm, levamisole is the only medication that will treat it, and Charles Harrison is the person to contact. Here is a link with the info:

http://inkmkr.com/Fish/ItemsForSale.html

 

[mf3011]

Thank you very much!

Thanks a bunch for the replies. One fish doesn't eat, or at least doesn't swallow anything, but the rest eat normally and hungrily. Thanks for the website link! I'm gonna try one of my LFS first to see if I can get some there, and if not might give that a shot. Thanks again!