Camallanus worms are a common internal parasite that affects a variety of aquarium fish, including guppies, goldfish, mollies, and angelfish.
These red, thread like worms can be difficult to detect in the early stages but become more obvious when they protrude from the fish's anus.
Symptoms of an infection include abdominal bloating, weight loss, loss of appetite, and lethargy. The parasites irritate the fish's digestive system, leading to internal bleeding and secondary infections.
Camallanus worms have a complex life cycle, involving both free living and intermediate hosts, such as small crustaceans like Cyclops and Gammarus, which transmit the larvae to fish.
In some cases, the worms can bypass the intermediate host stage, directly infecting other fish.
Treatment for Camallanus worm infections typically involves antihelminthic medications, such as fenbendazole, levamisole, and praziquantel.
These medications paralyze the worms, which are then expelled from the fish. It is crucial to clean the substrate thoroughly within 24 hours of treatment to remove the expelled worms.
Since these medications can be toxic to snails and shrimp, these should be removed before use.
For effective prevention, it is recommended to quarantine new fish, treat them prophylactically, and avoid feeding live crustaceans or only source them from fish free ponds.
Ensuring good water quality and minimizing stress in the aquarium can also help reduce the risk of infection.
Chewy editorial team offers guidance on identifying the infections, understanding their life cycle and pathology, and exploring effective treatment and prevention methods - so you can keep your aquarium fish healthy and protected.
