Sixline wrasse and isopods

[cbooth]

I currently have a parasitic predatory isopod problem. There seems to be very few options in erradicating these nasty creatures, the only option I seem to have left is waiting for them to kill all the fish (tried removing the fish, failed miserably) and then let them starve. The following is a portion of an article I found does anybody have experience with wrasses eating these things or am I just adding another fish to it's demise. "Food habit data is available for two species. The eightline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus octotaenia) feeds primarily on small crabs and other crustaceans, mollusks, tiny sea urchins and fish eggs. The more diminutive sixline wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia) feeds heavily on small benthic crustaceans (e.g., shrimp and isopods), but it also feeds on foraminiferans (which are minute, shelled protozoa). It may also serve as a facultative cleaner, nipping parasitic isopods and copepods off of the fins and bodies of other fishes. I have seen P. hexataenia clean the giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanica) in the Red Sea and have seen them do this in captivity on a number of occasions. The Pseudocheilinus spp. will also eat zooplankton." Desprate thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

It cannot be counted on to cure your problem unfortunatley, and they don't usually eat isopods off of other fish.

You failed at catching your fish? I think it's a question now of how badly you want to save them. How large is your tank? Obviously they CAN be caught, and this is probably your only recourse at this point. Whith an infestation of this kind, you are fighting a losing battle unless you remove the adult parasites.

Cheers
Jim

 

[UnderGrad]

I've observed my sixline "cleaning" my bicolor blenny on one occasion, but I don't think this is a regular occurance. These little guys are avid hunters, but I wouldn't count on them solving your problem single handedly. Who's gonna save your sixline if he becomes the host of one of these parasites? If you think this is going to crash your tank, do what it takes to get those fish out!!!

-AM-