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Type: Parasitic Crustaceans. There are over a 150 species of Argulus, and some closely related genera. In the picture an imported argulus(?) sp. can be seen on Pimelodus pictus.

Symptoms: Usually the parasite can be spotted either free swimming through the tank, or settled on a host. A picture how the parasite looks on a complete fish can be found here

Description: See picture(s)

Infections: The parasites are introduced with live food, or fish.

Treatments:

- Removing all fish from the aquarium for a period of two weeks. Adults can survive without a host for 2 weeks. Juvenile argulus die if they haven't found a host within a few days of hatching. As an addition a fungus treatment could be used, since the wounds that the fish louse create are susceptible to fungus attacks.

Temperature: At higher temperatures the Argulus multiply faster, but cannot survive as long without hosts.

Feeding: The fish can and should be fed well, varied live foods!

Quarantine period for new fish, and for treated fish: 1 day

Additional:

Picture references: All pictures E. Naus

References:Schubert, G.(?): Ziekten van aquariumvissen. B.V. W. J. Thieme & cie, Zutphen, The NetherlandsBaensch, H. A., Riehl, R.(1982): Aquarien Atlas I. Mergus Verlag, Melle, Germany.(click on the link to buy this book)Sterba, G. et al.(1981): Encyclopedie van de Aquaristiek en de Ichtyologie. H. J. W. Becht's Uitgeversmaatschappij bv, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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