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Thread: Tape worms

  1. #1
    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Tape worms

    I saw tapes floating in the tank of an Angel pair last week. I have kept Discus and Angels since 2001 and although I'd used PraziPro a few times just to see, I have never seen tapes expelled. The fish must be loaded with tapes if they expelled them without medication!

    I have pure Prazi coming in from Jhemco Monday. This will be interesting. I saw the tapes in one 29 gallon tank, but when I treat one tank I treat all tanks. I can't wait to see tape worms expelled. The pair with the infestation is home bred. If it's in my home bred fish it must be in all my tanks. I'll let y'all know what I see when I treat.
    Mama Bear

  2. #2
    Registered Member Jack L's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    Quote Originally Posted by LizStreithorst View Post
    I saw tapes floating in the tank of an Angel pair last week. I have kept Discus and Angels since 2001 and although I'd used PraziPro a few times just to see, I have never seen tapes expelled. The fish must be loaded with tapes if they expelled them without medication!

    I have pure Prazi coming in from Jhemco Monday. This will be interesting. I saw the tapes in one 29 gallon tank, but when I treat one tank I treat all tanks. I can't wait to see tape worms expelled. The pair with the infestation is home bred. If it's in my home bred fish it must be in all my tanks. I'll let y'all know what I see when I treat.
    How big?
    Photo by chance?

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    Administrator and MVP Dec.2015 Second Hand Pat's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    Hope this goes well Liz
    Pat
    Your discus are talking to you....are you listening


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    Administrator brewmaster15's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    Quote Originally Posted by Jack L View Post
    How big?
    Photo by chance?
    Jack, I have an article here on tape worms with pics...

    http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/...apeworms.shtml


    Liz,
    The way tapeworms spread is related to pieces of the worm breaking off and being passed into the water by the fish. The worms body is segmented with each piece carrying eggs. The mature worm itself stays attached and continues to grow and shed pieces into the water. It you are seeing pieces of tapeworms, odds are you'll see some good size worms expelled with prazi. Not uncommon for the fish to have many worms verses one.

    hth,
    al


    segments..
    tapeworm5.jpg
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  5. #5
    Registered Member Jack L's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    good article

  6. #6
    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    I remember that thread, Al. I couldn't believe how long that thing was! My Prazi will be in Monday. I bought enough for three treatments. I hate to treat but when I have to I am thorough.
    Mama Bear

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    Registered Member Cosmo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    As I recall, a badly infected fish can develope constipation due to all the dead tapeworms, so keep plenty of epson salts handy
    ... Born under a Bad Sign ...

  8. #8
    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    Will do, Jim.
    Mama Bear

  9. #9
    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    I started treatment on Wed. Thursday morning no tapes had been expelled and the water was crystal clear. By the time I got home from work I saw no tapes but the water looked thick and cloudy in many tanks. Today after work it was so cloudy in 6 tanks that I did a wipe down and flopping on the bottom WC and re dosed. I did my sole Discus tank too which was just moderately cloudy, but they are Discus, after all. I'll do the other 7 tanks tomorrow.

    I have experienced this cloudy water before when treating for spiro but I thought that the tapes would be expelled in huge segments, not dissolve. My water is moderately soft but I still need RO for eggs to hatch. gH 0, kH 4.5. Has anyone else who has treated for tapes seen this?
    Mama Bear

  10. #10
    Administrator brewmaster15's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    Liz,
    How did you dose the Prazi?
    Al
    AquaticSuppliers.com Freeze Dried BlackWorms and other foods your Discus will Love!!!


    >>>>>I am a science guy.. show me the science minus the BS

    Al Sabetta
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    Aquaticsuppliers.com


    I take Pics.. click here for my Flickr images

  11. #11
    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    1 teaspoon per hundred mixed with a bit of acetone and then water.
    Mama Bear

  12. #12
    Administrator brewmaster15's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    Liz, I thought so.

    The acetone maybe the culprit on the cloudy water, its been known to do that sometimes....doesn't seem to hurt the fish but you can just mix it in water and shake in a jar. It'll float around and dissolves slow but enough will get in to kill the worms.
    You can also mix it with the food..

    hth,
    al
    AquaticSuppliers.com Freeze Dried BlackWorms and other foods your Discus will Love!!!


    >>>>>I am a science guy.. show me the science minus the BS

    Al Sabetta
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    Aquaticsuppliers.com


    I take Pics.. click here for my Flickr images

  13. #13
    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    I could use Vodka too, right? Will a bit of vodka cloud the water?

    The strange thing is that I haven't seen the first tape worm. I know I have them because I saw one floating in the tank before I treated. It could not have been anything but a tape.
    Mama Bear

  14. #14
    Administrator brewmaster15's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    Vodka should be fine.

    Usually you see them within 24 hours
    AquaticSuppliers.com Freeze Dried BlackWorms and other foods your Discus will Love!!!


    >>>>>I am a science guy.. show me the science minus the BS

    Al Sabetta
    Simplydiscus LLC Owner
    Aquaticsuppliers.com


    I take Pics.. click here for my Flickr images

  15. #15
    Moderator Team LizStreithorst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Tape worms

    I should have seen them and haven't. I'm still sure I have tapes. What I saw before I treated was a classic example of a tape worm. I think they may be disintegrating rather than being passed whole. I'll drive into the big city where it's not against the law to buy the hard stuff and pick up a pint of vodka. (ah the joys of living in the Bible Belt) I'm looking forward to seeing if vodka vs acetone makes a difference in water clarity.

    Thanks for the help, Al.
    Mama Bear

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