Hi, I hope someone will respond- I see not many people are on right now.
First tank/ water status:

18 gallon tank
pH 8.4
ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates 5

Inhabitants: 2 pearlscales. (1" and 2" size)

Tank recently seeded from main tank (3 weeks ago-used filter material that had been in the main tank filter box waiting for a few months).

No new additions. Fish eating well, lively, no signs of anything unusual EXCEPT

I noticed this tiny hairlike dust like thing on one fish's fin. I thought 'Anchor worm' and immediately got out the microscope and tweezers..I have removed this thing BUT in the process I dropped it into the tank . My question is- is it going to reattach and what should I do next?

I have started to salt the tank-have added slowly 7 teaspoons so far.

Are there eggs in my tank- how did it get in there? I change water religously every 2 or 3 days (20 or 30%).

Hi Imogen, I've seen pictures of anchor worm and from recollection they do appear to be more like a white worm than a "hairlike dust".

It would be strange for an anchor worm to appear in your tank so I think the best thing would be to search around and find some pics to see if anchor worm looks the same as what you saw.

Thanks Annette, I know you know about this tank recently set up. It surprised me too. I had anchor worm once before though (years ago) and panicked thinking it was this. The thing that worried me was this was quite stuck on and wouldn't pull off easily- I tried to rub it off gently but then resorted to the tweezers. Oh I hope you're right...

I couldn't see the distinctive fork end but I had read there are anchor worms without fork ends...anyway thankyou .

Well, I hope it isn't anchor worm. Another good point is that the worm usually attaches itself to the body of the fish rather than a fin, it needs to bury into the flesh. Good luck.

I've read the same about not all worms having forked ends, I even heard from someone that some male species of anchor worm infest under the skin and aren't visible at all. Tricky things.

Ah yes, true about the flesh not the fin..I'm going to browse on some more anchor worm info and keep an eye out. Hope its all a mistake. Thanks!!!