How to Kill Anchor Worms

Anchor worms are a parasite that not only infect your fish, but can also attract diseases. These hook-like worms attach themselves to the head of the fish, damaging the health of the fish and potentially causing death. It only takes a single anchor worm to kill a small fish; however a larger fish may be able to tolerate a few of them. Anchor worms affect cichlids, goldfish and pond or outdoor fish. In order to protect your fish you must treat their tank or pond immediately.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 milligrams/liter concentration of potassium permanganate
  • Anti-parasitic medication, purchased from pet store or veterinary clinic
  • Cotton swabs
  • Tweezers
  • Antibiotic fish medication
  • Antibiotic fish food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take a cotton swab and dab it in anti-parasite medication. Dab it on the anchor worms.

    • 2

      Use tweezers to remove visible worms from your fish. Inspect carefully around the eyes, mouth and gills. The worms will be between 2 and 5 centimeters long. They are pale in color and will look similar to a string of cotton.

    • 3

      Dab antibiotic medication designed for fish on the wounds.

    • 4

      After the infection has appeared to clear, feed the fish with antibiotic fish food to ensure that the infection has been eradicated completely.

    • 5

      Treat the aquarium with 2miligrams/liter concentration of potassium permanganate or specialty aquarium treatments from the pet store.