Please help - gouramis extruding red worms!

[martonic]

Hi - I have a new 55 gallon planted tank. Has been up less than a week. Has 15 plants from two different stores, and 7 small fish from two different stores (two blue gouramis, two dwarf gouramis, two flying fox, one otocinclus). And two algea-eating shrimp. I know, pushing the envelope!

Here are the stats. Temperature steady at 78F (25C), PH 6.8 to 7.2, hardness 120, alkalinity 150, nitrite 0, nitrate 0 (all steady), ammonia went up to 1.0 ppm two days ago, 50% water change, ammonia steady at around 0.25 ppm since then. CO2 injection during the day along with 110 watts of compact fluorescents at 6500K, air bubbles at night. I added Cycle last night.

The Worms! About 30 minutes ago, just after feeding, all four gouramis quickly sprouted segmented red worms hanging down from their barbel areas. One had about two inches of worms (four worms) hanging down, end to end! They all came out at once on all four fish. I ran to set up a salt water bath and by the time I got back ten minutes later, all of the worms had fallen off.

So what should I do? Please help!

 

[TheFighterFish]

I'm thinking your tank isn't cycled yet. Since you have 0 traces of nitrate and 1 ppm of ammonia. Typically, a stable tank should have some readings of nitrate and 0 readings of ammonia. Generally your PH isn't supposed to fluctuate either.

You said you're using cycle? This is supposed to be like Bio-spira I believe. This should help speed up maturing process, but I have no experience working with it. Stick it in the fridge when you're done.

As for the issue with the worms, it's probably disease transferred from the store's tank to your own. I'm glad the saltwater bath got rid of the worms, sounds rather disgusting. Check the books to see what kind of disease or parasite you are working with it. Without a quarantine tank, it's difficult to stop these diseases from spreading about. Look into medications but be careful about adding it into your main tank.

Keep an eye out for these symptoms on other fish as well. Good luck.

 

[skratikans]

the cycle product is worthless..the bacteria are dead...all you will do is create more waste..return the fish and fully cycle your tank, otherwise you will have to monitor your levels everyday and do wc everyday

 

[TabMorte]

Even for cycling WITH fish you have WAY too many in that tank. Also the gouramis are territorial fish and four of them in that space may result in fighting (which can also kill your fish).

The rule of thumb is start slow, add your most peaceful fish first and slowly work up to the aggressors. With all those fish and plants dropped into the tank so quickly your bioload is way more then your tank can handle. I would take the gouramis back clearly they're sick, most fish sellers have a warrenty for that. I known nothing about the flying fox, never kept one, your shrimp may not survive (they can't handle the nitrates I'm told) and the ottos are usually tough guys but keep an eye on him for signs of stress if you keep him (and he's the only fish I would keep in that tank) you need to change the water EVERY SINGLE DAY and do a full spectrum of tests.

Most people who cycle with fish use Neons, black skirts or other hardy tetras who are durable little suckers who can survive in the harsh conditions the tank goes through and even then only like 3!

Lastly, if it's at ALL possible you need to find a fish only pet store (Big Als is the only chain I can think of that's in Canada and the States but I'm sure there's others where you live look in the phone book). The regular pet stores will lead you astray, as most of us have learned the hard way as they don't know what they're doing usually and often just want to sell you as much stuff as possible.

 

[Adorkable]

Even for cycling WITH fish you have WAY too many in that tank. Also the gouramis are territorial fish and four of them in that space may result in fighting (which can also kill your fish).

Not true about the Gouramies. I have four in my 20 gallon tank, and they are all males, an they haven't fought with the other fish (Neons, pleco), nor with each other.

 

[martonic]

Update

Here is an update.

The two fish that originated the infection were returned.

The tank cycled fine, and the two remaining gouramis do not fight.

However, the cammalanus worms are hard to get rid of.

I have been treating the tank with soluble levamisol (1 gram per 10 gallons) and with fenbendazole (1 teaspoon of 10% suspension, per 20 gallons).

I removed the driftwood and removed the plants.

I have been thoroughly vacuuming the gravel every few days.

At present, I see no signs of the worms.

No fish have died, but I did kill one of our shrimps with the gravel vac.

Hopefully, the worms will stay away, and I will be able to stop putting chemicals in the tank.

What a pain. This is my first attempt at aquariums. I really hope this vigorous regimen will resolve the problem.

 

[Adorkable]

Did you try cleaning your filters? I had found a worm in mine once.... And since this is your fist shot at aquariums, here is a tip, try not to get frustrated, it will ruin the hobby for you.

 

[TabMorte]

Sounds like you did the right thing! Keep us posted and good luck. We've ALL made mistakes like this when we started out. It's all about learning how to avoid it in the future.

 

[martonic]

I have the Rena Filstar XP3. Yes I serviced it, rinsed the sponges etc. and I am going to do it again and replace the tubing as well. Thanks for the information about finding a worm in the filter. I did clean it out pretty well and yes there was a lot of matter in the bottom of the filter after about four weeks.

 

[ishar]

I have been having problems with camellanus as well- I know how you feel.

What you are doing with the Levamisole sounds good and that should be all you need. The fenbendazole is what I am using as I am in Canada (we don't have Levamisole available to us due to border shipping or something of the sort) and it MUST be fed to them- you cannot use it in the water the same way you can with Levamisole.

I have been writing a journal: Camellanus Journal. Check it out if you want to see how I have been using my fenbendazole.

Good luck with the worms.

 

[Adorkable]

I have the Rena Filstar XP3. Yes I serviced it, rinsed the sponges etc. and I am going to do it again and replace the tubing as well. Thanks for the information about finding a worm in the filter. I did clean it out pretty well and yes there was a lot of matter in the bottom of the filter after about four weeks.

No problem I have got to clean my filter out on of these days...

 

[TabMorte]

Make sure you don't clean the filter with chlorinated water or water that's too cold, it will kill off the good bacteria. I suggest using tank water that you've syphoned off after a water change.