EMERGENCY! Pistol shrimp parasite?

[clownfish07]

Hello everyone, I recently bought a nice sized tiger pistol shrimp, but I noticed an unusual bulge on the right side of his body, I could be overreacting but it looks similar to an isopod parasite, can anyone help? Thanks!

 

[clownfish07]

Another photo

 

[clownfish07]

Bump

 

[Frostblitz20]

If not parasite it could be a failed molt

 

[clownfish07]

It had this on it since the fish store so unsure if it’s a failed molt, it looks like a parasite, only on one side and near gills, what should I do?

If not parasite it could be a failed molt

 

[clownfish07]

bump

 

[mermaid_life]

There are going to be ppl way more experienced than I am that can chime in. Hopefully my post will help bump.

If it were me, I would try my best to remove it. It really looks like an isopod to me. I am NOT jealous of your situation.... this is what I saw online

 

[clownfish07]

There are going to be ppl way more experienced than I am that can chime in. Hopefully my post will help bump.

If it were me, I would try my best to remove it. It really looks like an isopod to me. I am NOT jealous of your situation.... this is what I saw online

Thanks, I have been looking at videos at will try, only problem is I don’t know how to get it in that position that guy has it because it’s a pistol shrimp, I don’t want it to snap on me, any ideas?

 

[clownfish07]

Bump

 

[clownfish07]

Ok update, I managed to remove the parasites, wasn’t easy with a ticked off pistol shrimp, they came off in either two separate ones or they split, how long for the shrimp’s bulb to heal and do I need to worry about these in the future

 

[clownfish07]

Here is an image

 

[mermaid_life]

Nice job!!!! Very brave.

 

[clownfish07]

Nice job!!!! Very brave.

Thanks, it actually wasn’t too bad after the pistol shrimp calmed down, I just had to pin it down rather than hold it, was tempted to return him but now am glad I can give him a better life, thanks for the video
Edit: and he didn’t even detach his claw out of fear, win!

 

[Karen00]

So were those on the outside or inside? I couldn't quite tell from the pics. That's a great job you did getting them off. Well done!!

 

[G Santana]

Hats off to you, that took nerve and a steady hand. Well done!!!

 

[clownfish07]

So were those on the outside or inside? I couldn't quite tell from the pics. That's a great job you did getting them off. Well done!!

Thanks, glad my little shrimp is doing well now, the pics of the actual shrimp were from the outside, the bulge is the parasite under the gill flap (I think?) and the picture of the two parasites is the one with the wood background after they were removed

 

[Karen00]

Thanks, glad my little shrimp is doing well now, the pics of the actual shrimp were from the outside, the bulge is the parasite under the gill flap (I think?) and the picture of the two parasites is the one with the wood background after they were removed

Thanks for this. It's great information to know in case I (or others) encounter this. I bet shrimpy is feeling a whole lot better now. Please keep us posted on his progress. I'm hoping he has a speedy recovery!

 

[clownfish07]

Thanks for this. It's great information to know in case I (or others) encounter this. I bet shrimpy is feeling a whole lot better now. Please keep us posted on his progress. I'm hoping he has a speedy recovery!

Alright will do! He is hard to get pictures of lol, he just made a burrow and recently paired with a new ywg I added so he’s looking good! All you have to do to take out the parasite is flip the shrimp over, get small tweezers and stick them under the bulge part, grab the parasite, and pull it out, make sure to check extra well because I had 2 in mine, it’s actually quite easy once the shrimp stops being ticked off

 

[clownfish07]

Well I can’t get any pictures of him right now but I sure do hear him snap lol, he’s so funny