Can Parasites Be Transferred Through Snails to a Puffer?

[Twood]

Hi Team - I recently got a puffer fish and have been feeding him snails. I was wondering if parasites can be transferred through snails that the pufferfish eats. Does anyone have experience with this? Just want to make sure that I don't undo my deworming efforts.

Thanks!

-Tyler

[Galabar]

Where do you get the snails from?  Do you grab them from other, established tanks?

I think many people here (and in the YouTube videos I've seen) do exactly that.

To be safe, you could freeze the snails, which would kill various parasites.  However, again, I think most people tend to use there own snails successfully.

 

Edited October 30, 2023 by Galabar

[Colu]

On 10/30/2023 at 12:08 AM, Twood said:

Hi Team - I recently got a puffer fish and have been feeding him snails. I was wondering if parasites can be transferred through snails that the pufferfish eats. Does anyone have experience with this? Just want to make sure that I don't undo my deworming efforts.

Thanks!

-Tyler

You can get parasites in the water around the shell of snails they can act as an intermediate host usually you need birds fish and snails to complete the live cycle 

[Galabar]

I'm not sure sushi is a 100% accurate guide, but, again, if you are paranoid:

Parasites become a concern when consumers eat raw or lightly preserved fish such as sashimi, sushi, ceviche, and gravlax. When preparing these products, use commercially frozen fish. Alternatively, freeze the fish to an internal temperature of -4°F for at least 7 days to kill any parasites that may be present.

I think the ACO folks feed frozen clams to their puffers (but I'm not sure they do it for this reason).

[pancake]

Allicin is the chemical in garlic that does have the power to actively and directly kill parasites. I don't know if puffers can eat stuff with garlic in it, but I have heard of some types of fish food having garlic in it. I also don't know if it is enough to effect the fish that way or not as a preventative only. Something to research or think about I suppose. I also wonder how garlic in fish food may effect snails as they can be bottom feeders in community tanks.

I'd freeze the snails if your puffer accepts that.