ChicagoDiscus.com     Cafepress Store

Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

  1. #1
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Chatham, MA
    Posts
    29
    Real Name
    Chris

    Default Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

    Hello all,
    2 weeks ago I received 5 Discus from Kenny's December Shipment and they have been doing very well in quarantine. I have not added any medication, and have only been doing daily 90% water changes.
    This morning shortly after feeding, and right before I was going to do my water change I noticed some sort of parasite that was dead at the bottom of the tank.
    I took a few pictures of it at the bottom of the tank (Please excuse the dirty tank as this was right after feeding and right before my water change).
    The parasite looked white in the water, but when removed it is mostly translucent. In the pictures is a Nickel for scale.

    Is anybody able to identify this? And should I be concerned?

    Thanks in advance for any help.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Homesteader RogueDiscus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    OR
    Posts
    3,130
    Real Name
    Steve

    Default Re: Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

    What are you feeding? I had something similar show up in a batch of FDBWs a while back. AL said not to worry about it, a dead flatworm "hitchhiker."
    Lifting dictionaries literally strengthens your muscles.

  3. #3
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Chatham, MA
    Posts
    29
    Real Name
    Chris

    Default Re: Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

    I have been feeding various different foods, but this morning was Omega One frozen blood worms. But I only feed them 1 blister pack at a time, and I am 99% sure it didn't come from the food. I always watch them eat and go after the food and I didn't notice it the entire time they were feeding.
    When I went back to do my water change I noticed it immediately from all the way across the room.

  4. #4
    Registered Member jmf3460's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Greensboro, NC
    Posts
    2,920
    Real Name
    Jacklyn

    Default Re: Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

    is it a leech?
    ~JACKLYN~

  5. #5
    Homesteader Altum Nut's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Toronto, Ontario
    Posts
    3,139
    Real Name
    Ralph

    Default Re: Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

    Looks like a leech of some sort or flatworm as Steve mentioned. I remember finding a few live ones similar to this one that hitched a ride when I used to feed live black worms.

    ...Ralph
    "Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."
    -John Wooden

  6. #6
    Registered Member bluelagoon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Halifax,Canada
    Posts
    2,498
    Real Name
    Mervin

    Default Re: Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

    Quote Originally Posted by jmf3460 View Post
    is it a leech?
    l
    Looks like it.

  7. #7
    Homesteader RogueDiscus's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    OR
    Posts
    3,130
    Real Name
    Steve

    Default Re: Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

    That "sucker" sure looks like a leach, so where did it come from? And was it ever alive in your tank, or found dead? I'm going with it came in with some food, not on Kenny's discus, and was probably already dead. i would just watch for signs of any more.
    Lifting dictionaries literally strengthens your muscles.

  8. #8
    Registered Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Chatham, MA
    Posts
    29
    Real Name
    Chris

    Default Re: Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

    Found it dead on the bottom of the tank shortly after feeding. I haven't noticed any sort of illness or anything bothering any of the discus. I think it would be hard to miss that hanging off one of them. Fingers crossed it was only in the food. Thank you all for your input.

  9. #9
    Registered Member jmf3460's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Location
    Greensboro, NC
    Posts
    2,920
    Real Name
    Jacklyn

    Default Re: Looking for Help Identifying this Parasite

    Chris, i know that finding a weird creature laying on the bottom of your tank is alarming, and when they are gross and squishy it really makes the situation kind of dramatic and panicked. we have to remember that in the wild, these fish would encounter these creatures every day, and would likely eat them. most of the time they are already dead and are harmless. keep your head up I'm sure it was a one time incident
    ~JACKLYN~

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Cafepress