Anchorworms galore!

[bichly]

My poor goldfish is riddled with anchorms despite being treated over the last two weeks with praziquantel/metronidazole powder dissolved in tank every 48hrs, Coppersafe, water changes, and 4 "surgeries" where I tweezed off as many of the anchorworms as I could see ever few days. Every few days I still see another batch of these parasites growing again. I've cleared out all the decorations and the carbon filter. The PH is a bit low at 6.2, but otherwise nitrogen/ammonia are all in range. Temperature has been around 74 degrees. I had an Oranda that came down with anchorworms first a few weeks ago that has since died because we didn't detect it fast enough and I'm trying to save this last one! He did look better after I manually removed the parasites (though still with some swimbladder and floating issues), but how do I get rid of the infection completely from my 20 gallon tank?

[bigbettadan]

Is there gravel in your tank? cause if the worms have dropped eggs, they will be in the substrate.........

Dan

[BruceP]

Dimilin is our go-to drug for anchorworms.

[bluebelly]

If you can't find dimlin email Gary Hater and ask how to contact his son for a remedy.

[VeiltailGuy]

Dimilin is the answer! wont really kill them, but will stop the life cycle in its tracks prevents them from reproducing...and being that the actual anchor worm doesn't live that long they eventually just die...Stop the life cycle and you stop the infestation!

also I have heard jungle parasite site guard is a good option:exact:

[William Tricker Inc.]

Dimilin is a great product....contact us at 800-524-3492 as it is not on our website, but we keep in in stock for these issues! also carry parasite guard which is online, if you wanna give that a go

Good Luck!

[bichly]

Ahhh...the gravel! Would you all agree then that i might as well start prepping a whole new tank with all new equipment/gravel, then move my fish into that new tank in a few weeks (assuming he lives till then)? It just sounds like there is no way to eradicate the infection from the current tank. If even Dimlin doesn't get rid of all the eggs from the gravel, I'm just asking for more future infections if I keep my current tank!

I JUST ordered some Proform LA as a last resort upon someone's suggestion. I assume i can use these "pond formulations" for the aquarium. If that doesn't work, Dimlin it is.

THANKS so much for the suggestions!

[BruceP]

Proform LA is a viable substitute for Dimilin. No need to replace the tank; just clean it out well and treat for the bugs. But hey, if its an excuse to get another tank, go for it!

[bigbettadan]

Always good to have a bare hospital tank......... But if I were you I would clean the substrate too....

Dan

[Ichthius]

If you use dimilin it will kill all the bugs and their offspring. Keep the temperatures up to speed up their life cycle. Dimilin can work in a single treatment but a second is often a safe bet.