Fish Lice

[TBWG]

Hi All

I have a few large pots in the garden in which I keep some fish ( what in the UK would be considered tropical fish) mollies, guppies etc.

Now I notice that a few of them have acquired what I believe are called fish lice, they have a barbed hook which they insert into the fish usually in the gill area and presumably live off the host.

I know these fish only cost about 20 baht for 5 but I would rather not have them consumed alive.

Can anyone tell me how to get rid of the lodgers without having to empty the pots and start afresh? Also do these lice perish when the host eventually dies or transfer to another victim?

Any info appreciated

TBWG

[Jamie]

Sounds like it could be Argulus which is a fish louse. It's found in both fresh and salt water fish. You may want to check with a local pet shop to see what they have available for treatment. From my fisheries science background in college, the one treatment used frequently is a formalin dip. You also want to quarantine those fish that have the parasite from the rest of the group. Since you are looking at such a small infestation, you may just want to take the infested fish out and place in another bowl. Formalin is dangerous and definitely not a chemical you want to use on such a small group.

[TBWG]

Sounds like it could be Argulus which is a fish louse. It's found in both fresh and salt water fish. You may want to check with a local pet shop to see what they have available for treatment. From my fisheries science background in college, the one treatment used frequently is a formalin dip. You also want to quarantine those fish that have the parasite from the rest of the group. Since you are looking at such a small infestation, you may just want to take the infested fish out and place in another bowl. Formalin is dangerous and definitely not a chemical you want to use on such a small group.

Hi Jamie

Thanks for prompt informative reply. Do you know if lice also die when fish eventually dies?

Thanks

TBWG

[Jamie]

TBWG,

You will want to remove the infested fish from the rest of the population. Fish lice are mobile and can find other hosts. The female will lay eggs on hard surfaces and the cycle will repeat. From egg to adult is about 3 weeks length. If you just noticed the infestation and you remove the fish with the lice, there is a chance the others will be ok, if not, you will have to do a thorough cleaning.

Besides formalin, I've heard of people using a strong salt solution for a few minutes repeated every few days. Also, if you can find something called Dimilin (Diflubenzuron), it may help though mainly only when it is in the larval stage.

Edited February 6, 2007 by Jamie

[redbicycle]

Hi All

I have a few large pots in the garden in which I keep some fish ( what in the UK would be considered tropical fish) mollies, guppies etc.

Now I notice that a few of them have acquired what I believe are called fish lice, they have a barbed hook which they insert into the fish usually in the gill area and presumably live off the host.

I know these fish only cost about 20 baht for 5 but I would rather not have them consumed alive.

Can anyone tell me how to get rid of the lodgers without having to empty the pots and start afresh? Also do these lice perish when the host eventually dies or transfer to another victim?

Any info appreciated

TBWG

Get a pail put some water ( just enuff for the fish to survive) and put all your infested fish inside...... rememeber to put salt into your pots once a month.

[tutsiwarrior]

fish lice? surely you mean fish wid rice har, har, har...

but, it sounds like you have a serious problem...try a google an' see what ye come up with...

[TBWG]

TBWG,

You will want to remove the infested fish from the rest of the population. Fish lice are mobile and can find other hosts. The female will lay eggs on hard surfaces and the cycle will repeat. From egg to adult is about 3 weeks length. If you just noticed the infestation and you remove the fish with the lice, there is a chance the others will be ok, if not, you will have to do a thorough cleaning.

Besides formalin, I've heard of people using a strong salt solution for a few minutes repeated every few days. Also, if you can find something called Dimilin (Diflubenzuron), it may help though mainly only when it is in the larval stage.

Hi Jamie

Thanks again ... not a lot you don't know about lice!!!

Well I now have a few options

TBWG