External Parasite?

[YSS]

I have noticed that there are a few white string looking thing embedded on the sides of the fish. The length is barley 1/8 to 1/4 inches. They don't seem to bother the fish and I see one once in a while. Are these some sort of parasite? If so, what should I use to treat the tank? I have seen these on three of my discus within the last three or 4 weeks. They seem to disappear after about 3 to 4 days. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[phidelt85]

does it look like a white skin tab?

[YSS]

does it look like a white skin tab?

What's a skin tab? It looks like a piece of short white string sticking out of the fish.

[YSS]

So no one knows what this could be?

[pcsb23]

So no one knows what this could be?

I wouldn't say that

It is probably cartilage and indicates a dietary deficiency of calcium, phosphorous or vitamin D.

[BSW]

Is it Anchor Worms ? (I hope not)
Looking something like this ?

B

[pcsb23]

Anchor worms a very large compared to what is described here.

[YSS]

I will try to get some pics, but the pic posted is white and thin stringlike looking, so there is some similarity. The growth sticks out from the body of discus and it is at most 1/4" long. Then, after a few days, it goes away. My guy in my avatar has two growing right on top of his eye, but like I said before, it doesn't seem to bother the fish at all. So, if it is cartilage and due to diet difficiency, what would be a good supplement? I feed mine variety of frozen food once a day and feed tetra bits and other pellets during the day.

Also, if it is anchor worm, what do I do? Is it serious? What is the length of the worm in the picture? Thanks for the help.

[kaceyo]

Sounds like it might be puss from HITH? Is it solid to touch or does it desolve easily when rolled with your fingers?

Kacey

[pcsb23]

Feed red wrigglers or beefheart with a vitamin/mineral supplement in. 99% sure it's not anchor worm, they don't go on their own. Nasty things. They can be up to an inch or so in length too (from memory).

[YSS]

Ok, it's not the anchor worm. I looked it up and it's not even close. Don't know what it feels to the touch because I never touched it. I feed my fish frozen bloodworms, beefheart, mysis shrimp, and brine shrimp along with tetrabits and Hikari pellets. I will continue to monitor the fish and see how they are. At the moment, none have them.

[pcsb23]

That is consistent with the cartilidge material.

[YSS]

Ok, thanks for the info. I will do a better job of feeding them.

[kaceyo]

Paul,
When you say cartilidge, do you mean it's a solid like bone cartilidge, which can be soft and rubbery but is still a solid? Or is there a different kind that is....more...squishy?

Kacey

[pcsb23]

Paul,
When you say cartilidge, do you mean it's a solid like bone cartilidge, which can be soft and rubbery but is still a solid? Or is there a different kind that is....more...squishy?

Kacey

It's more squishy because it is breaking down.