Help IDing a parasite (maybe) from my gig in QT

[MikeyA]

Fellow reefers, I'm perplexed by small objects I keep removing from my QT tank that is housing a very small 2"-3" gig. So my gig has been in QT approx 18 days going on his 2nd round of antibiotics for suspected bacterial infections. He's on his 6th day of round 2 of meds (total of 13 days of meds). And I keep finding these fiber like items throughout his tank everytime I clean his tank. I find at least a few of them everyday floating about. They don't move or swim though. And my gig is doing very well. Anyone seem anything like this before?

 

[OrionN]

can you see head and tail on these crustacean? eye spots?

 

[MikeyA]

I think I do see eyes. But unsure really what I'm looking at. I ordered a microscope but won't be here till Thursday. I'll try and get a more macro pic uploaded

 

[OrionN]

Dissect one. Is it a shell with tissue inside of it? In a bare QT tank, they must come on the rock you have the anemone is on, from inside the pump housing or from inside the anemone. which is it?

 

[MikeyA]

They are way to small and mushy for me to try and dissect. Approx 2mm in length. I usually find them either sucked to the powerhead strainer or floating at the bottom of the tank. They're is no rock in the qt with him. Just pump, heater, guard, and ceramic cup. And when I swap qt tanks for the next day/treatment everything (tank included) goes through disinfection with hot tap water soak for about 15 mins, scrub then wipe down dry.

 

[MikeyA]

Maybe sort of infection being balled up during expelled?

 

[OrionN]

They are way to small and mushy for me to try and dissect. Approx 2mm in length. I usually find them either sucked to the powerhead strainer or floating at the bottom of the tank. They're is no rock in the qt with him. Jump pump, heater, guard, and ceramic cup. And when I swap qt tanks for the next day/treatment everything (tank included) goes through disinfection with hot tap water soak for about 15 mins, scrub then wipe down dry.

Then they must live inside the anemone. Parasites. Maybe you need a Bayer treatment. Bayer is extremely toxic to crustaceans and insects but not to corals.

 

[OrionN]

Maybe sort of infection being balled up during expelled?

If you think it is a crustaceans, then it must be parasites living inside the anemone. If it is not organic, then it is pump related.

 

[MikeyA]

Here's a pic of one that I sucked out and placed on a paper towel. I am seriously thinking this is organic

 

[MikeyA]

Here's the pic

 

[MikeyA]

Here is a pic of the other one. It stayed more intact while I was removing it to place on the towel

 

[MikeyA]

If you think it is a crustaceans, then it must be parasites living inside the anemone. If it is not organic, then it is pump related.

Do you think the gig will survive a Bayer treatment? I'm not sure if I have Bayer anymore...I'll check to see. I know I have coral rx.

 

[MikeyA]

Maybe a heavy iodide/iodine dip?

 

[OrionN]

Wait until the microscope come in in a few days.

 

[MikeyA]

That's best. Should I then stay the course with medicating the tank till Thursday? It'll put his treatment on day 9-10 with antibiotics

 

[Solo McReefer]

Maybe your catfish coughed up a hairball

 

[MikeyA]

I need one of those lol. Are they reef safe?

 

[MikeyA]

Ok here is a pic on the end of a pencil point. I'm not so sure what to think now, it's definitely hollow

 

[Solo McReefer]

Your tank has Morgellons Disease

Those look like Morgellons

 

[MikeyA]

Thank you. How did you discover that, I would like to read up on it. This QT only has a pump, heater, ceramic cup, acrylics wall/barrier, and the nem... So it must've come from the nem.