callamanus worms

[irene]

Just wanted to give people a heads up that these worms are around in the area again.  I have them in one tank and must have gotten them from an infected fish from one of the LFS.  These worms spread very easily and are hard to treat.  Symptoms (red bristles protruding from the vent) can take up to 12 weeks to show at which point probably all your tanks will be infected.

Here is an article about them:

http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3322

Irene

[Pistol_pete]

Instructions on how to treat it.

http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=26573.msg178766#msg178766

[irene]

Thanks Pete, I read your thread and am impatiently waiting for my Levamisol to turn up.  I've lost a bunch of rainbows from the infected tank.   I'm going to treat all my tanks at least twice just to be sure.

The fact that I got it from new fish means it's circulating in the local fish/local pet shops so everyone be careful and QT new fish and keep an eye on your tanks!

Irene

[KLKelly]

I think a lot more people have this and have no idea.  I hope people are on guard and realize how easy it is for it to hit them.  Just QT'ng plants/fish isn't enough with this nematode and it spreads between tanks extremely easily.

I'm sorry about your rainbows Irene.  They were so pretty

[dan2x38]

Sorry Irene for the losses. Let me know when the tank/s are healthy again. I can get you more Neons in my travles for you. They had a big bunch last time I was there.

[irene]

I think a lot more people have this and have no idea.  I hope people are on guard and realize how easy it is for it to hit them.  Just QT'ng plants/fish isn't enough with this nematode and it spreads between tanks extremely easily.

I agree.  By the time the fish start showing symptoms they are heavily infested.  You have to QT for 2 months at least or QT and treat preventively. 

[wandmangels]

I have some levamisol here right now (enough for 50gallons) 1treatment if you need it RIGHT NOW

[wandmangels]

http://www.loaches.com/Members/shari2/levamisole-hydrochloride-1

I ordered Levamisole HCl from Charles Harrison and used it successfully on my tanks. His website is http://inkmkr.com/Fish/. The cost is reasonable and there was no issue at the border, as he simply marks the package as "Aquarium Supplies". The drug arrived promptly.

Something I learned that Charles wasn't able to tell me in advance: Levamisole will kill invertebrates, though hardier individuals might pull through. I lost all my nerites and nearly all of my shrimp, but surprisingly not all MTS or pond snails.

From observing my fish, I could actually see the drug at work as soon as it was added to the water. It's good stuff, and a lifesaver.

[KLKelly]

Just curious how the last poster thinks he got these.  Do you think it was from a LFS?  When did you do treatment?

I have a 30 day qt policy but this wouldn't have done anything for these things.  I am going to extend it to 60 days for sure.  I wonder about adding levamisole as part of my qt treatment regime.  With goldfish I do prazi for gill flukes based on an aquatic vets treatment plan. 

[dan2x38]

Could inverts carry them? What would you do if treating a tank with inverts?

Every time hear these guys are around I get scared.

[wandmangels]

i'm not sure what an LFS is...
i am Quite positive that i got them from fish i bought from a store infected whole tank (angels,discus.gouramies) i lost 6 fish all together from this nematode

KLKelly levamisol is not availible in Canada (FDA has banned it)
its not very expensive ($30 for 100gallon worth inc shipping) but does start working as soon as you add it to your tank

Dan not sure if the nematode can survive in SW so i dont think you have anything to worry about but you may want to look it up anyway

TO ANYONE WHO GETS THIS "WORM" DO NOT USE ANY PARASITE STUFF (IE:PRAZIPRO) THEY ONLY MAKE THE WORM STRONGER!!!

[crazy 4 fish]

i'm not sure what an LFS is...
i am Quite positive that i got them from fish i bought from a store infected whole tank (angels,discus.gouramies) i lost 6 fish all together from this nematode

KLKelly levamisol is not availible in Canada (FDA has banned it)
its not very expensive ($30 for 100gallon worth inc shipping) but does start working as soon as you add it to your tank

Hey everyone ... my guppies had these worms last year and I successfully treated them with Levamisole. I bought it through my vet from from a vet compounding pharmacy based in Ottawa so you definitely can get it in Canada. Also, I have Amanos in that tank and they had no problem at all with the meds. I repeated the treatment 3-4 times following Pete's instructions. Good luck. Cheryl.

[KLKelly]

Uh oh.  My three goldfish babies are mid prazi treatment.

I still haven't heard on getting a shipment - I'm still waiting to place my order.  I've got to treat about 150 gallons.  I'm thinking of three treatments just to be sure.

I have had ongoing health issues with my goldfish and chalked it up to my nasty well water.  I think a nematode treatment would benefit them anyways.  Who knows what causes swim bladder disorders other than diet in goldfish.  Just looking at them the wrong way even.  Maybe this will help them indirectly.

[Pistol_pete]

All my shrimps lived through the treatment. Inverts may have a lower tolerance level than fish so it might be wise to be careful not to overdose if you have some.

I believe that some people may have infected tanks and don't know it. If you get an unexplained death, remove the fish right away and put it in a zip-lock bag (with only a few drops of water). If the fish is heavily infested (which is usually required to kill a fish), some will escape and will be visible swimming around in the bag in a few hours. I attached a pic to show what I mean.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[lucodu]

Here is a bit of information in terms of treatment for Callamanus worms from the following (excellent) website posted by wandmangels in an earlier post (above), i.e. 

http://www.loaches.com/Members/shari2/levamisole-hydrochloride-1



Levamisole HCl is light sensitive. Store product in tightly closed, light resistant containers. Leave off tank lights or UV lighting when treating.

Treatment Protocol

Below is the treatment protocol I have used for treating parasites with Levamisole HCl. It is very similar to the treatment recommended by Dr. Yanong. Your mileage may vary.


1. Determine the appropriate dosage for your tank (see below).
2. Treat with the lights off and increased aeration.
3. Perform a largish water change prior to treatment. With my water supply I cannot do more than 50% without causing a tank crash so I don't do the 70-100% changes recommended.

4. Treat once for 24 hours.
5. Do a largish water change and vacuum to remove any paralyzed worms in the substrate.
6. Return tank to normal lighting/feeding/cleaning cycle.
7. Treat again in 5-7 days after a water change. If you know the parasite you are treating and its life cycle adjust the timing for the second treatment accordingly.

8. Do another water change with gravel vacuum.
9. Return to normal schedule.
10. Treat a third time 1 - 2 weeks after your second treatment.

11. Do another good vacuuming with water change and consider your treatment complete.

Usually, I see a marked improvement in vitality and appetite after the first treatment. Don't let this convince you that the fish is cured! Complete a full course of treatment. In commercial fish enterprises and in livestock there have been reports of various parasites developing resistance to Levamisole HCl treatment. If you see no improvement after the first treatment your fish may be suffering from a secondary bacterial infection caused by parasitic damage. Consider treating the affected fish in a quarantine tank with a good broad spectrum antibiotic such as Maracyn I and II, or Kanamycin.


Recommended Dosage

Dr. Roy Yanong, V.M.D. recommends the following for treating fish with internal parasites susceptible to Levamisole HCl:

"In answer to your question, the dosage rate for levamisole in a bath is 2 mg/L (2 ppm) for 24 hours (followed by 70-100% water change, and siphon the bottoms of the tanks), with repeat treatments necessary--retreat in 2-3 weeks, and probably one more time after that. This is regardless of size of fish."
The 2 mg/L dosage rate (of the active ingredient Levamisole) is currently (2007) the level being used by the scientific community. It effectively paralyzes Levamisole susceptible parasites at that concentration. Increasing the dosage level does not seem to have any greater effect. (Another good reason to avoid overdosing.) Paralysis of the worms takes place when that level of Levamisole is present in the host--your fish. Dr. Yanong recommends, whenever possible, trying to diagnose what parasite your fish are harboring prior to treatment. Work with an 'exotic pet' veterinarian, or a fish health specialist to insure you are treating with the right medication.



Dosage Calculation
Some helpful conversions:

For 100% Levamisole HCl in powdered form (Levasole, Soluble Pig wormer):

   1 teaspoon = 4 grams
  .5 teaspoon = 2 grams
.25 teaspoon = 1 gram
1.0 US Gallon = 3.78 Liters


I hope this info helps.

L

[dan2x38]

All my shrimps lived through the treatment. Inverts may have a lower tolerance level than fish so it might be wise to be careful not to overdose if you have some.

I believe that some people may have infected tanks and don't know it. If you get an unexplained death, remove the fish right away and put it in a zip-lock bag (with only a few drops of water). If the fish is heavily infested (which is usually required to kill a fish), some will escape and will be visible swimming around in the bag in a few hours. I attached a pic to show what I mean.

Pete thanks for that very useful.

I only have FW tanks.

LFS= Local Fish Shop

Yes Levamisole was banned in Canada but we manage to obtain like mentioned from someones Vet. Also Like KLKelly said & Irene they ordered from someone who ships it safely to us...

[lucodu]

I am about to start a levamisole treatment for 75 gallons of water (hopefully today... I'm waiting for a second opinion before I start the treatment : yours!).  I have three questions.

1) So according to the info I posted on the forum a few days ago, to treat 75 gallons (i.e. 284 litres) at a rate of 2 mg/litre (recommended dosage), i would need a dose of 568 mg of meds, so roughly 1/2 gram for one treatment. 

Does the dosage sound right?

2) Also, i believe the proper treatment schedule is as follows:

Day 1 :  Full dose of levamisole for 24 hours
Day 2 (after 24 hours) :  Do a 70 to 100% water change, and siphon the bottoms of the tank).  I'm personally not so sure about the 100 % water change, and will NOT do that at any cost!  Might as well kill all my fish and be done with it!
Day 14 to 21 :  Full dose of levamisole for 24 hours
24 hours later : 70 (to 100 %) water change
Day 28 to 35 : Full dose of levamisole for 24 hours
24 hours later : 70 (to 100 %) water change

Does this treatment schedule sound right?

3) I'm actually thinking of doing a 50 % water change, wait a few days, and do another 50 % water change.

Any thoughts about that modification?

Any feedback welcome!  Thanks.

luc

[Pistol_pete]

Below is a copy and paste from instruction I posted before. A few people have used these and had success. This should answer most of your questions.

The minimum dose is 2mg/liter. Pure Levamisole is not stable in water so it is mixed with hydrochloride (HCL). So you need to add 0.18mg for every 1mg of levamisole to account for the HCL. So the actual weight of the product is 2.36mg/liter. If you go over 4mg/liter, you are wasting it. The lethal dose (LD-50) is 250mg/liter which adds up to a gram per gallon. To make it easy, use 2.65mg/liter. Mix 200ml of water with 2 grams of levamisole HCL. Add 1ml of solution per gallon of water to treat (solution will treat 200 gallons). Just to be safe, add the aquarium capacity, not actual water content (10 gallon tank with rocks, gravel and being filled one inch from the top might only contain 8 gallons of water so technically you should put 8ml but put in 10ml). Levamisole is UV sensitive so turn off my lights for the treatment period to make sure the fish get the most out of it. Also discontinue carbon use during treatment. Do a 50% water change 36 hours after putting in the meds and add carbon in the filter. Repeat the treatment in 15 to 18 days. A third treatment may be done in another 15 to 18 days but only if needed.

[KLKelly]

I wonder why some people say water change 24 hours after and some 36 hours after.

I have 160 gallons of tanks that I have to treat and no way to use well water on demand.  If I just aerate the well water in my trickle bins I can make 45 gallons in 24 hours (help to aerate out the sulpher and gas out the CO2). If I use the RO unit it can take almost three days. 

If there isn't a reason to do it the day after or it would allow me to do one tank one night and another another night that would be perfect. Or I'll have to stagger the tank treatments which is I guess what I will do.

[Pistol_pete]

I wonder why some people say water change 24 hours after and some 36 hours after.

I have 160 gallons of tanks that I have to treat and no way to use well water on demand.  If I just aerate the well water in my trickle bins I can make 45 gallons in 24 hours (help to aerate out the sulpher and gas out the CO2). If I use the RO unit it can take almost three days. 

If there isn't a reason to do it the day after or it would allow me to do one tank one night and another another night that would be perfect. Or I'll have to stagger the tank treatments which is I guess what I will do.

I would recommend that with your circumstances, instead of doing a major water change, you could probably get away with a thorough gravel cleaning (to remove any dead worms or live eggs) and lots of carbon in the filter afterwards. The amount of meds in the tank are minor (less than 1% of a lethal dose).

I said 36 hours because from what I read, you need to do a minimum soak time of 24 hours and a maximum of 48 hours. 36 is in the middle.