Gammarus and their parasites.

[Azhael]

I´m hoping someone has knowledge about how the parasites of Gammarus work. As far as i know Gammarus are vectors of parasites, which means they are an intermediary host.
Also, the parasits are supossed to pass on fish and birds?

I´m asking because i know a source of wild gammarus where there are no fish, nor aquatic birds. I was wondering if that would mean they are parasite free.

Apparently one parasitic nematode is visible by eye, so you could theoretically select ones without the parasite. However i´d suspect there are several kinds of parasites that affect this invertebrates.
Finally, is there any proof of amphibians being affected by Gammarus parasites?
Any info will be greatly apreciated.

 

[Azhael]

Ok, so i see information is scarce hehe.

I went to collect earthworms and decided to catch a few gammarids too since they were right there looking at me....daring me to try and breed them.

As far as i have been able to find out(and it´s been hard) the parasites that use gammarids as vectors will disappear and won´t be passed on the offspring(obviously). The parasites that affect gammarids directly are either visible, and therefore you can select them out, or a fungus. I have absolutely no idea if the fungus can portentially affect caudates, although i find it unlikely.

If anyone has any info at all i´ll apreciate it greatly.


By the way, the little buggers have only been a few hours in captivity and already they are feasting on newt pellets xDDD I have a feeling i might succeed in culturing them(fingers crossed).

 

[Kerry1968]

Good luck with it! I have some Gammarus pulex that I'm hoping will multiply, I love watching them, they're always on the go! I would love to get enough going that I can keep a colony alive in the axies tank.

They certainly eat well!

 

[fishkeeper]

Whatever parasites they have would not survive in captivity in the next generation if they need a new host. So breed them and you will have a clean culture.

 

[Azhael]

As already mentioned there are parasites that use them as vectors that will obviously disappear after a while, and parasites that are specific to Gammarus, which means they can be passed on to future generations.