Fish leeches
Fish leeches are one of the few species of leeches that choose fish as their host. They belong to annelids, have a clearly segmented body (the same as that of earthworms) and grow up to 5 cm.
Symptoms:
Black worms or scarlet rounded wounds are clearly visible on the fish – bite sites. Leeches can often be seen floating freely around the aquarium.
Causes of parasites, potential dangers:
Leeches live in natural reservoirs and from them are brought into the aquarium either in the larval stage or in eggs. Adults are rarely hit, due to their size they are easily seen. The larvae end up in the aquarium along with live food that has not been washed, and leech eggs, along with unprocessed decor items from natural reservoirs (driftwood, stones, plants, etc.).
Leeches do not pose a direct threat to the inhabitants of the aquarium, but they are carriers of various diseases, so infection often occurs after bites. The risk increases if the fish has a reduced immune system.
Prevention:
You should carefully inspect live food caught in nature, wash it. Driftwood, stones and other objects from natural reservoirs must be processed.
Treatment:
Adhering leeches are removed in two ways:
– to catch fish and remove leeches with tweezers, but this method is traumatic and brings unnecessary torment to the fish. This method is acceptable if the fish is large and has only a couple of parasites;
– immerse the fish in a saline solution for 15 minutes, the leeches themselves unhook from the owner, after which the fish can be returned to the general aquarium. The solution is prepared from aquarium water, to which table salt is added in a proportion of 25 g. per liter of water.
