Tuesday, 18 December 2007

Camallanus biology

One of the challenges of home diagnoses is "getting it right". Based on the University of Florida IFAS Extension document (Yangong 2006) on nematode infections in fish, a diagnosis of Camallanus infection seems reasonable. But, like any biologist, my first question is: what species? Is there only one species that you tend to find in freshwater aquaria, or are there many?

According to Yanong, Camallanus requires a secondary host, usually a copepod. I suppose a moderately planted tank with driftwood has lots of room for copepods, even if I can't see them. There are enough hiding spots for them in there. So I'm guessing that control of secondary hosts really isn't an option.

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