A little help in idenfication (updated with pics !!!)

[nrs89]

Hi all

Great site, a wealth of info.

I just got a question on the worm that i saw hanging out the anus of my Powder Blue Tang. I noticed it when my Tang started showing the typical signs of aggression (flared fins, intense coloring) which obviously caught my attention. It swam up to a couple of my other fish and almost looked as if it was showing it off so another fish could get it out. It tried frantically to push it out or have another fish pull it out but had no success. After watching this for a couple of minutes i thought i should probably do something. I tried netting it so i could physically pull it out but as i cornered the tang it made a dash to get away at which point the worm fell out.

Upon pulling the worm out of the tank I took a closer look at it. It is mostly grayish white and semitransparent, it was about 5-6 cm long and it was still alive when it came out.

I took some pics in case they would help in identifying it.

I guess what im really after is who,what,when,where,why and how do i stop this from happening again.

Any info what so ever is much appreciated.

cheers

[BangkokMatt]

[welcome]
That really isn't a good sign. It will be an internal parasite of some type. Can you put the pics up. I am no expert on such things but many people are on RC.
What I do know is just beause that one was expelled doesn't mean your fish is rid of the problem. it needs treatment. Good luck !

[nrs89]

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/6154/cimg1782ur3.jpg
thats it when i just pulled it out


http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3769/cimg1783dh4.jpgthis is it against a different background in order to show more detail


http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8445/cimg1784ku4.jpg
this is my Powder Blue minutes after it came out. As you can see it appears to be fine.

[BangkokMatt]

Wow ! Thats pretty grim. I can't really comment on exactly what it is other than an internal worm.

I would put this thread on the Fish disease and Treatment forum as well. People will get back to you.

Anyone !

[nrs89]

Ah right sorry, well i guess i will re-post it there. Thanks for your help in this section though.

[cowboyswife]

Oh wow, that is absolutely nuts!

[BangkokMatt]

bump

[bertoni]

I would set up a hospital tank and do a Prazi-Pro dip on the tang. I think an hour is appropriate. You wouldn't need a filter, although more isolation might be appropriate. There's some mild evidence that chopped-up garlic will help with internal parasites, too.