One of the goldfish disease that very dangerous is the Anchor Worm. Anchor Worm is a kind of parasite is often found in pond fish and are rarely encountered in the aquarium. The disease is characterized by the head of the worm is anchored into the fish's skin.
Anchor worms were highly contagious and that they are not actually worms, but a freshwater copepod. Only the female will attach itself to the fish, underneath a scale usually deep into the muscle tissue with its powerful extensions on the sides of its anchor shaped head (hence the name anchor worm). The male lernaea will then attach himself to the female’s body. The female will produce egg sacs fertilized by the male, which are then released into the water column. The eggs hatch into a free swimming larvae or nauplii. This is the stage where the crustacean will attach to the fish completing the life cycle. After releasing the eggs, the parents will die off leaving a gaping wound, which is highly susceptible to secondary infections.
Symptoms that appear because of Anchor Worm
1. Lernea or Anchor worms can be seen with the naked eye
2. Frequent rubbing or "flashing"
3. Localised redness
4. Inflammation on the body of the fish
5. Tiny white-green or red worms in wounds
6. Breathing difficulties
7. Commonly near the base of the fins
8. General lethargy
