The anchor worms make an unwelcome return

[amy]

im sure you all know by know about the recurring problem i have had with anchor worms on my axies. i dont even know where the heck they came from but anyway... i thought they had gone but the other day i went to see them and what should i see but an anchor worm. then i took a closer look and realised they were riddled! again! i have tried octozin, lifebearer and salt baths but nothing works! what else can i try?? i feel completely helpless and i feel so responsible for them trying to commit suicide. bailey has been trying to put his foot behind his head for a couple of weeks now and it really looks like hes trying to rip his head off, and i wouldnt blame him. if these things are ticking me off, i cant even begin to imagine what its doing to them

 

[brian]

find a medication called methyblue. Should clear it right up, and it's axie safe.

 

[amy]

methyblue. is that a product name? i havent come across it over here. i guess if you have it in canada i could get one of my friends to send it to me. thank you

ill keep an eye out for it on ebay or something!

 

[stephen]

PRoduct name is methylene blue.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20756&item=4358918269&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

This is the next ending product of one on ebay. But if you were to go to a good aquarium shop they would most likely be able to order you some in.

 

[amy]

oh! i already have that! yay! should i still dose them at half the reccommended or is it fine to use it at the full concentration? thanks so much for the help!

 

[claire]

does anyone have a pic of an anchor worm on an axie so i know what they look like if i come across them. thanx.

 

[amy]

i have some at home. ill get some pics of the axies later on with them. they just look like tiny treads sticking out of their skin and gills.

 

[claire]

thanks

i think i may have seen one of these on one of my axies. i noticed something sticking out of her tail (the thin bit that runs down the back).it was really small about 2-3mm. i saw this about a 3 weeks ago.then i was looking at her again on monday night and i saw what i think was the same thing on either her foot or toe.cant remember which.could this be an anchor worm? and how did they get in my tank???

thanks again.

 

[cynthia]

Claire - There is a really good picture of an anchor worm on a fish here: http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/anchor_worms/

 

[claire]

thanks Cynthia.im not sure if the little thing on my axie looks like that.plus i think there is only the one.ive looked all over my axie and neva saw more than one.ill check at the weekend though and report back.lol.

(Message edited by clairey_beary on February 24, 2005)

 

[amy]

ive never seen any on my axies that look quite as bad as the one in that picture. usually theyre a lot smaller and paler than that. i didnt find a good pic of one of the worm but i will try as soon as i can. what i did find was a pic of one of the 'pimples' they cause on the axies skin. they have LOADS of these at the moment and theyre starting to look like blisters. such a shame. sorry the pics a bit distorted. i took it at an angle.

 

[claire]

ill try to get a pic of my axie with this potential anchor worm on her on saturday when i see her next.

 

[amy]

fingers crossed for you it isnt an anchor worm. the methylene blue doesnt seem to be working!!! how long does it take to work? i am supposed to be using this at half dose arent i?

 

[cynthia]

fingers crossed for you it isnt an anchor worm. the methylene blue doesnt seem to be working!!! how long does it take to work? i am supposed to be using this at half dose arent i?

Amy - It has only been 2 days, medication takes longer than that to work. I am also wondering if while the anchor worms are attached they are unkillable with medication in the water, since their heads are buried into the axolotl.

You need to "google" the life cycle of anchor worms and medicate accordingly. I did one quick search and it said the egg sack from one anchor worm can contain as many as 700 babies. You need to medicate long enough to kill the anchor worms as they hatch.

It has been suggested that axolotls be treated at half the dose suggested for fish. If you see no results after a week to ten days of treatment, you may want to consider increaseing the dose slightly on the next round of treatment.

You might want to contact indiana university via email and see what medication they suggest for treating anchor worms on axolotls.

Does anyone have any experience with getting rid of anchor worms on axolotls or fish? Anyone anyone? echo echo echo....

(Message edited by cynorita on February 25, 2005)

 

[amy]

i was reading on goldfishconnection.com about treating anchor worms and they said when you pluck it, you should dab it with hydrogen peroxide. would it be ok for axies at a diluted concentration? they have a lot of nasty uclers happening now and tias gills are rapidly disolving.

 

[cynthia]

Amy - I have not read anything on peroxide and axolotls but axolotl.org says you can use mercurochrome.

 

[amy]

i suppose i could try it very diluted. what have i got to lose? ill tell you how it goes. i have no clue what that mercurochrome stuff is

 

[cynthia]

I remember mercurochrome from when I was a little kid. It came in a small brown bottle with a glass applicator in the lid. It was applied to minor scratches and left a "red/orange" stain.

 

[claire]

i dont think my axies have anchor worms! phew for now! i couldnt find any when i saw them at the weekend but ill keep looking just in case!

 

[amy]

one of the people on my fish forum said to try the bucket theory again. put them in a smallish bucket and change the water 100% every day while medicating with a med that works. i have one that kind of works so ill give that a go while plucking and moving them about. fingers crossed this is going to work this time!