Clown trigger w/ worm larvae

[tangcrazy]

I have had a clown trigger for three years, two months ago the impellar on my filter broke and the filter stopped working for atleast 24 hours, maybe as much as 48 hours(however, the tank did not cycle, as I checked it regularly) shortly after this, the clown developed some very small white spots on both pectoral fins, but they did not seem to bother him (no darting about the tank, no scratching on the rocks and such). He has had them now for two months, no other fish in the tank have developed any spots or odd behavior. I have noticed though that the clown will occassionally lose his colors and rest on the bottom of the tank, normal breathing. After some research and a post that Terry had made, stating triggers were prone to worm infections, I am wondering if this is worm larvae spots on his fins, and does this need treating, and if so what is the best treatment? I have read that fish can live healthy lives with worm infections given the right environment, I would like for "Spot" to live a very long happy life. Which brings me to another question, if this worm larvae is the case how did he get it? I have had him for three years, has he just carried it around with him until he got stressed by the filter stopping and the worms became pronounced?
His diet consists of Frozen brine shrimp, krill, prime reef, formula 2, trigger formula; also use Zoe, and garlic xtreme in the food. WP are SG 1.022, temp 78, trites 0, ammonia 0, trates 25.
Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[tangcrazy]

Terry THANK YOU SO MUCH for answering me! It is exactly what I thought, although none of the reading was very specific if treatment was needed or not, so I was confused.
It is hard to tell about the spots as this fish is hardly ever not moving, but I believe the spots are attatched to the rays of the fins.
The change in diet you mentioned, I am wondering if the Trigger formula is enough the indgredients in the formula are "meaty parts of sea urchin, tuna, marine algae, salmon eggs, krill, plankton, squid, clams, silversides, spinach, kelp" would this suffice for the meaty part of the diet, or should I feed those items specifically? I will get the Selcon to use with the Zoe, alternating them.
I will let you know how the treatment goes, I hope to get him in QT today or tomorrow. Thank you again for your help, I am very thankful you are a part of this board

 

[tangcrazy]

Terry, I am hoping you will read this update. It has taken me the two weeks just to find a vet that was sympathetic to my plea for praziquantel; but my persistance did pay off.
The trigger was in QT for 24 hours in the recommended dosage praziquantel, at the end of the 24 hours, the symptoms were rapid breathing and resting on the bottom of the tank. He is now out of the med, and seems to be listless, breathing has slowed but still seems heavy. Has full color, but so far has no interest in eating. The metacercaria spots on the pectoral fins are still there. How long would you expect them to be there if the medicine was effective? And what is my next step?
Terry, I truly appreciate your knowledge and respect your opinions completely, if you tell me that jumping through hoops of fire will save my fish, I WILL do it!

 

[tangcrazy]

Just another update, "Spot" has been more active in the last day, and is eating well, has normal breathing and full color. However, the spots on the fins are still there, so I am guessing the praziquantel was not effective? The vet suggested doing the QT again with the praziquantel again in a week, and therefore gave me another dose, what do you think?
I really hope someone has an answer, this one is really important to me.