Reducing Infestation of Blood Fluke

A blood fluke is also known as a gill fluke, fluke worm or simply fluke. Blood flukes are worm parasites that without treatment may eventually kill fish. Flukes can also cause other fish diseases that contribute to even more complications. With proper steps, you can treat a blood fluke infestation in your aquarium.

  1. Test Aquarium Water

    • The signs of a blood fluke infestation in an aquarium can mimic many conditions. Fish gasp if ammonia levels are too high and also if they have gill flukes. Before beginning any type of treatment, check your aquarium pH. Buy an ammonia and nitrate kit at the pet store and follow the instructions to test water conditions. Change the filtration carbon cartridge and buy a medication to stabilize your aquarium water pH if ammonia and nitrate levels are improper. Buy a treatment product that contains Nitrospira, which is a good bacteria that breaks down toxic ammonia in your aquarium.

    Recognize Fluke Signs on Fish

    • Aquarium fish infected with blood flukes or multiple parasites generally exhibit red and inflamed gills; however, this is true only if flukes have began to attack the gills. Observe all of your fish and their behavior. If your fish are constantly scratching on rocks and other aquarium items, you may have a blood fluke infestation. Infected fish may also consistently gasp at the aquarium water surface and may stop eating.

    Identify Visible Blood Flukes

    • A blood fluke may look very similar to other aquarium parasites, such as anchor worms. Observe fish with a flashlight. Shine the flashlight through the side of the aquarium and on each fish. Do not shine the light directly into fish eyes. Observe if the parasite is attached to the gills and other locations. Anchor worms usually have a fork-like end, compared to gill flukes, which do not.

    Remove Infected Fish

    • Remove fish exhibiting a blood fluke infestation or appearing sick and place them in a hospital tank, or a quarantine tank. Purchase a small aquarium to use as a hospital tank, a must for any aquarium owner. Amateur aquarium keepers use hospital tanks to separate sick fish and prevent outbreaks of diseases and parasites in the main aquarium.

    Clean and Treat Aquarium to Eliminate Gill Flukes

    • To get rid of a blood fluke infestation, purchase an aquarium medication that has Praziquantel as an ingredient. Praziquantel is used to treat gill flukes. Following the instructions, treat the main aquarium and the hospital tank. Change the water in the main aquarium according to the medication instructions and use a gravel vacuum to remove any debris or food that fish have not consumed.