Ever wonder how to make the worlds favourite soda pop Coca Cola? Very few people know the ‘real’ secret recipe… but there are versions out there hand written by the inventor of Coke – John Pemberton.

Our diy Coca Cola recipe follows his 1886 version.

Glen got the idea to do this back in 2011 from an NPR radio show called ‘This American Life’, but getting the ingredients for Coca Cola wasn’t easy… and still isn’t.

Obviously Coca loaf extract is the biggie in the room – but even Neroli Oil Extract is hard to get; in that it’s so expensive!

So if you are going to set out and make Coca Cola at home, or any Cola recipe at home; there will be some comprises. In the end, even with compromises, the flavor profile of the Coke recipes is so complex that minor variations are hard to detect.

Ingredients:

• 7x Flavour [Use 2 oz flavour (below) to 5 gals syrup (I used 15mL per 19L, or 1.3mL / 1L)]
  • 236 mL (8 oz) high proof food grade alcohol
  • 20 drops (0.5g / 1 mL) Orange Oil
  • 30 drops (0.75g / 1.5 mL) Lemon Oil
  • 10 drops (0.25g / .5 mL) Nutmeg Oil
  • 5 drops (0.125g / .25 mL) Coriander Oil
  • 10 drops (0.25g / .5 mL) Neroli Oil (You can sub Bitter Orange Oil)
  • 10 drops (0.25g / .5 mL) Cinnamon (Cassia Or True Cinnamon) Oil

Original Sugar Syrup Recipe:

• FE Coca (Fluid Extract of Coca) 3 drams USP (10.5 mL)
• Citric Acid 3 oz (85g)
• Caffeine 1 oz (30 mL)
• Sugar 30 #
• Water 2.5 gal
• Lime Juice 2 pints (473 mL)
• Vanilla 1 oz (30 mL)
• Caramel 1.5 oz or more to color

I made 1/8 Original and re-ordered the ingredients to order of use: Water 1.18L Sugar 1.7 Kg Caramel 5.5 mL FE Coca 1.3 mL (not used) Vanilla 3.75 mL Caffeine 3.75 mL Lime Juice 59.12 mL Citric Acid 10.6g

Method: Mix together all of the ingredients of the 7X Flavor. Set this aside in a sealed bottle.

Heat the water sugar and caramel in a large pot.

Stirring continuously, just until sugar is dissolved.

Take off the heat and mix in vanilla, caffeine, lime juice and citric acid. Stir to fully combine.

Add a measured amount of 7X flavoring to the sugar syrup.

Mix with carbonated water at a ratio of one part syrup and 5 parts water.

Here are the links to the original This American Life story:
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/427/…
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/extr…
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/extr…
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/427/…
https://www.thisamericanlife.org/extr…

(Coca-Cola inventor John Pemberton )

While preparing for an episode of This American Life that aired Feb. 11, the radio show’s producers stumbled upon what appears to be the secret recipe for Coca-Cola, printed in a 1979 issue of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. For 125 years, The Coca-Cola Company has tried its best to keep Coke’s formula shrouded in mystery, especially when it comes to the ingredients of what it calls the drink’s “secret 7X flavor.”

A company spokesperson told Life’s Little Mysteries that This American Life did not manage to concoct “the real thing”, and that the secret recipe is still safe. At least one Coke historian says, however, that yes, this is an authentic recipe for Coke just not the one you enjoy today.

[Click here to see the original 1979 document that leaked the recipe]

For one thing, The Coca-Cola Company has used high-fructose corn syrup rather than sugar in the American version of its soft drink since 1985. That was the year it scrapped the “New Coke” formula which spent only a few months on the market after the company was flooded by consumer protests and reverted to a recipe similar to the one it had used up until 1985 (except switching the sweetener to corn syrup).

According to Pendergrast, current Coca-Cola Classic is also made with phosphoric acid instead of citric acid another change not reflected in the leaked recipe. Small tweaks, yes, but they produce a drink that isn’t quite right by today’s standards.

The evolution of Coca-Cola

Pendergrast believes that this new find is real but also says it’s really no big deal. “I think it’s kind of funny that suddenly there’s this big flap over this when I found the formula in Coca-Cola inventor John Pemberton’s papers and published it in the first edition of my book in 1993,” Pendergrast told us. “This recipe is very similar to the one I found, so I do think it’s probably authentic.” But that doesn’t mean Coca-Cola’s current manufacturing secrets are out. “It’s not the recipe of the drink they’re selling now. The original formula has been changed.”

source

For this Review we chose CustomAquariums.com

9.8 out of 10 Editor’s Choice

We chose to see what all the internet hype was all about….. well we dove in head first with CustomAquariums.com to see how they could make our fish/aquarium vision a reality

If you want the most credible, persuasive way to describe this builder, call it an engineering-first custom glass aquarium company rather than a generic “luxury tank” brand. The official record supports that positioning: the site offers built-to-order sizing, multiple glass thicknesses and clarity levels, tempered or non-tempered panels, custom hole drilling, framed and rimless tanks, paludariums, multiple stand systems, and modular sump-based filtration. It also has public configurators for rectangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, rimless, and amphibious builds, plus dedicated 10-foot and 12-foot custom pages for oversized projects.

The strongest promotional angle is that these aquariums are designed to feel permanent: thick glass, polished and beveled edges, high-strength silicone, marine-grade anodized aluminum framing on the tanks, and a choice between furniture-style hardwood cabinetry or welded steel stands. That message is not only internally consistent across the site, it is also visually credible because the published package examples and manufacturing pages keep returning to the same ideas of rigidity, serviceability, and long-term durability.

The honest limitation is that ownership looks more like commissioning specialty millwork than buying a standard aquarium. Current policies show long lead times, freight and handling caveats on very large tanks, non-returnability of custom tanks/stands/canopies once production starts, and strict damage-reporting and warranty conditions. A good promotional review should say that plainly, because the product becomes more—not less—compelling when framed as a serious custom purchase.

The Customization breadth is substantial. They offer buyers many options for their glass ranging  from 3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″, and 3/4″ glass, with low-iron “ultra-clear” available in every listed thickness, with tempering options, and with panel-by-panel specification

They can drill holes anywhere!

Holes can be drilled for overflow and return systems, and the configurators publicly support multiple shapes and styles instead of restricting the buyer to a few preset rectangles.

They are here for the small custom build all the was to top tier big-budget builds for elite homes and business a like.  Professional is where they start and end from day 1!

The stand and cabinet story is equally important.

The hardwood line is “solid wood throughout” frames are made in the USA from hardwoods such as ash, oak, maple, cherry, hickory, and black walnut, while the tops, backs, door panels, and side panels use matching veneer plywood rather than particleboard.

The steel line is described as high-strength square tube steel, welded into one solid piece and finished with a durable oven-cured powder coating, with a painted 3/4″ plywood top. For smaller, stackable, more institutional displays, there is also an anodized aluminum rack-style stand system.

The company’s customization depth also extends farther into filtration than many competitors’ sites do. The official “dream tank” page describes modular sump packages in 1200, 3600, and 4800 GPH, plus overflows, returns, protein-skimmer options, and plumbing. Lighting is available through its store too, but the site’s real differentiator is structural engineering and flow management rather than bespoke in-house lighting fabrication.

A compelling descriptive line, grounded in the actual specs, would be this: these builds do not look delicate; they look composed. The steel versions feel architectural, the hardwood versions feel like cabinetry, and the framed glass tanks feel intentionally reinforced rather than cosmetically rimmed. That is exactly the sort of distinction that makes a promotional review sound authentic instead of overhyped.

Pricing, Lead Times, Shipping, and Warranty

Published pricing ranges show that the builder spans serious hobbyist budgets up through premium custom budgets. Current package examples on the site run roughly from $770.85–$2,189.04 for a 75-gallon wide, $954.80–$2,578.01 for a 100-gallon, $1,927.70–$4,067.78 for a 150-gallon wide, $2,983.60–$5,172.34 for a 240-gallon, and $4,443.80–$7,150.64 for a 300-gallon package. The site also lists a ready-to-ship 180-gallon complete package at $7,605.30, which suggests that fully optioned, turnkey systems can move meaningfully above the entry package ranges. Truly oversized 10-foot and 12-foot projects are quote-driven instead of openly shelf-priced.

Lead times are not impulse-buy lead times. The current shipping page lists standard aquarium lead times at 40–50 business days, with fast-track options around 20–35 business days depending on the order type, and it says tanks ship fully cured rather than arriving with instructions to wait before use. Tempering adds additional time. That kind of language supports a premium review because it frames the delay as part of the build integrity, not as careless backlog.

Shipping policies are the biggest practical constraint on giant builds. Orders above $4,000 can qualify for free shipping per crate, but residential free curbside delivery has dimensional limits, and very large tanks may only ship free to a commercial loading dock or freight terminal. Extra fees can apply for liftgate service, remote delivery, unloading, and case-by-case in-home or office setup. The FAQ says refundable moving kits help with many popular sizes, but the company still expects buyers to inspect deliveries before signing and to document any damage immediately.

Warranty language is strong but caveated. The posted PDF says aquariums 75 gallons and larger are warrantied for life against leaks or cracks caused by defects in materials or workmanship, while tanks under 75 gallons are covered for 90 days; stands and canopies carry a 1-year limited warranty; custom aquariums, stands, and canopies are not returnable once in production; and accessory returns are limited to 30 days with shipping deductions and a 25% restocking fee. There is also a notable wording mismatch: current product pages and the steel-stand page say tanks sold with a custom stand qualify for lifetime coverage, while the formal PDF specifically references a Majestic-brand stand. A prudent buyer should get that point clarified in writing before purchase.

Third-Party Authenticity Check

The most persuasive outside-case source I found is a 550-gallon school build by Reef Conservation Society, documented on its own site via this . The group says it compared manufacturers, chose this builder after seeing sample tanks and the overflow system at a trade show, received clear drawings, and got the tank built as requested. Just as important, the write-up makes the process feel real: a heavy shipping crate, a purpose-built cart, a loading dock, volunteers, hallway maneuvering, and eventual plumbing into place. That combination of praise and effort gives the brand’s “serious custom build” message real-world credibility.

On the reputation-platform side, the shows a 4.7-star aggregate from 273 reviews pulled from Birdeye, Google, and Facebook. Visible sample reviews repeatedly point to strong customer service, good communication during special-build design, attractive finished runs, secure packaging, and good experiences with 150-, 180-, and 375-gallon systems. The same profile also includes a visible negative review describing a failed delivery/refund experience, which matters because it suggests the public review picture is positive but not artificially spotless.

Best Use Cases and Final Verdict

High-end residential showpiece. The clearest fit is the buyer who wants a long, wide display to function like architectural furniture: ultra-clear front and side panels, a dark rear panel, a hardwood stand that matches the room, and overflow/filtration choices planned at the same time as the tank. The official package examples and cabinetry pages support exactly that scenario.

Waiting room, lobby, or office focal point. The site actively markets to dental offices and hospitals, and the stain/color-matching flexibility makes that credible. This is one of the best authentic promotional scenarios because a custom aquarium can be sold not only as décor but as atmosphere: calmer, quieter, more memorable than standard reception-area furniture.

Corner, peninsula, or odd-footprint room. Pentagon, hexagon, rimless, and other configurable shapes make the builder especially attractive where a standard rectangle would waste the room or kill sight lines. This is the type of buyer most likely to appreciate the configurators and panel-by-panel glass choices.

Fish room, gallery, or multi-tank operation. The anodized aluminum rack system is not the sexy star of the site, but it may be one of the platform’s most functional offerings for breeders, stores, research rooms, and hobbyists building out multiple smaller displays.

Paludarium and hybrid habitat buyers. The amphibious line gives the company a useful edge for turtle, reptile, or land-water projects where standard aquarium makers often stop at “just put a basking area inside.” The official pages show sliding-door and custom-environment possibilities that go beyond basic fishkeeping.

4/25/2026

• President Donald Trump said a suspect “armed with multiple weapons” charged a security checkpoint before shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC. Trump was rushed off stage, and he and his Cabinet members are all safe.

• The suspect — who is in custody — will be charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said. Authorities have identified the suspect as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old from California, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

• A US Secret Service officer was shot in their protective gear and hospitalized. The officer has since been released from the hospital, according to USSS Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi.

• CNN’s Wolf Blitzer was outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton when he saw a gunman opening fire just a few feet away. He was among the dozens of attendees who took cover as law enforcement swarmed.

What we know so far about gunman’s attack on the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Armed commandos stand by as special guests are evacuated from the back of the Washington Hilton after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday.

Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

A suspected gunman is in custody after storming a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner –– forcing President Donald Trump, cabinet members and a ballroom full of guests to scramble to safety.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen, a California native, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN. The suspect was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives and “exchanged fire” with law enforcement officers when he was intercepted and taken into custody, interim Washington, DC, Police Chief Jeffery Carroll told reporters.

A motive has not been determined, and the suspect is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday. He faces two charges: using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.

Here’s what we know so far about the attack:

• Carroll said the attacker appeared to be “a lone actor” and is believed to have stayed at the Washington Hilton, where the dinner took place. Police have secured the hotel room and are examining what’s inside.
• A Secret Service officer who was shot during the attack has been released from the hospital. The officer’s ballistic vest “helped us avoid a potential tragedy,” a Secret Service spokesperson said.
• Authorities said the suspect was not struck by gunfire but was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
• According to public records, the suspect worked as a teacher and video game developer in Southern California. He studied engineering and is a graduate of the California Institute of Technology, according to materials shared with CNN.
• Trump noted his security team was not aware of any threats prior to Saturday’s dinner.
• CNN’s Wolf Blitzer was outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton when he saw the gunman “clearly on the ground shooting” steps away from him. A police officer threw Blitzer to the ground after the assailant opened fire.
• The attack has been condemned by lawmakers in the US and leaders across the world –– many expressing relief over Trump’s safety and praising the swift law enforcement response.

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President Trump rushed from White House Correspondents’ Dinner after shots fired, suspect held

President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, first lady Melania Trump and other top officials were evacuated from the head table in the ballroom of the Washington Hilton hotel at the annual event after apparent gunshots were heard at the venue Saturday night.

FBI secures alleged home of suspect in WHCD shooting, search warrant pending

FBI Agents assemble outside of a residence in Torrance, California connected to Cole Allen who is the suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents; Dinner in DC on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Louise Barnsley/Splash News for Fox News Digital)

The suspected home of the man accused in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting has been secured by the FBI and local law enforcement, Fox News has learned.

The suspect was identified as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, according to a law enforcement briefing to Fox News Digital.

A federal judge in the Central District of California is expected to sign a search warrant, the U.S. Attorney’s Office told Fox News.

Once the warrant is approved, the FBI will be able to search the suspect’s home. Obtaining the warrant could take several hours.

Torrance mayor responds after resident identified as suspect in WHCD shooting

FBI Agents assemble outside of a residence in Torrance, California connected to Cole Allen who is the suspect in the shooting at the White House Correspondents; Dinner in DC on Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Louise Barnsley/Splash News for Fox News Digital)

The mayor of Torrance, California, issued a statement after a city resident was identified as the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

The suspected gunman was identified as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, according to a law enforcement briefing to Fox News Digital.

“Tonight, our community joins the nation in condemning the violent incident that occurred in Washington, D.C., during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner,” Mayor George Chen said in a statement.

“We are grateful to the federal law enforcement officers and first responders whose swift actions helped prevent further harm, and we wish the injured agent a full recovery,” he added. “We are aware of reports identifying the suspect as a resident of Torrance.”

Chen emphasized the suspect does not represent the city.

“While that connection is deeply troubling, one individual’s alleged actions do not define our city or the values of the more than 143,000 residents who call Torrance home,” he said. “Torrance is a community built on respect, diversity, hard work, and public safety.”

“The City of Torrance stands firmly against political violence, extremism and acts of hatred in any form,” Chen continued. “We reject attempts to sow fear or division, whether here at home or anywhere in our country.”

Chen said the city will continue working with law enforcement.

“In moments like this, we are reminded that our shared values are stronger than the actions of any one person,” he added.

 

Secret Service official says gunman ‘stopped at first contact’ after WHCD shooting

Guests walk past a garage at the Hilton Hotel as they leave after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. (Roberto Schmidt / AFP via Getty Images)

Secret Service Deputy Director Matthew Quinn praised law enforcement’s response after a California man allegedly opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, striking an agent.

The agent was shot in the vest after the gunman entered the Washington Hilton, rushed past a magnetometer and opened fire. The agent is OK.

“Tonight, a coward attempted to create a national tragedy,” Quinn said in a statement. “He underestimated the protective capabilities of the U.S. Secret Service, and was stopped at first contact.”

“The strength of our layered security posture was evident, with a myriad of countermeasures still ahead,” he added. “Grateful for the brave men and women of the Secret Service and our valued Law Enforcement partners.”

The suspected gunman was identified as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, according to a law enforcement briefing to Fox News Digital.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Saturday the suspect is charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

 

FBI descends on suspect’s home as investigators race to build profile in WHCD shooting

An exterior view of a home in Torrance, California,. believed to be the residence of Cole Allen who is believed to be the shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in DC tonight, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Louise Barnsley/Splash News for Fox News Digital)

Investigators are quickly building a profile of the suspect in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting as federal agents move in on his California home.

The suspected gunman was identified as Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, according to a law enforcement briefing to Fox News Digital.

Jason Pack, a retired FBI supervisory special agent, said authorities can rapidly compile detailed information about the suspect.

“Right now, tonight, federal agents know his name,” Pack told Fox News. “That name is running through every database the government owns. Criminal history, military service, mental health flags, travel records, known associates, prior contacts with law enforcement.”

Pack said investigators can gather critical information within minutes.

“That process takes minutes, not days,” he said. “Within the hour, prosecutors were likely already on the phone with judges seeking warrants. Digital warrants for his phone, his email, his social media accounts, his search history. Physical warrants for every address associated with his name.”

FBI agents arrived outside the suspect’s home in Torrance early Sunday.

“Those residences are being secured right now,” Pack said. “Agents are establishing a perimeter, making sure nobody enters or leaves, and waiting for a warrant.”

He added that evidence inside the home could provide key insight into the suspect’s motive.

“What is inside that residence, whether it is a manifesto, weapons, materials, a journal, correspondence, will tell investigators more about motive than almost anything else,” Pack said. “The physical space a person lives in is a biography.”

Pack said investigators are already working to reconstruct the suspect’s movements leading up to the shooting.

“The timeline reconstruction has already started,” he said. “Agents are working backwards from the lobby of the Washington Hilton and they will not stop until they reach the moment this began in his mind.”

 

White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting renews spotlight on Trump ballroom push

A rendering of the proposed White House ballroom.

The shooting inside the venue hosting the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner has renewed attention on President Donald Trump’s push for a secure White House ballroom — an idea he argues could help reduce such risks.

Trump pointed to the incident to criticize the hotel as insufficiently secure, promoting a new ballroom with features like reinforced materials.

The proposal, however, faces legal and political hurdles. Courts are weighing whether the administration bypassed required approvals, while critics question the cost and potential impact on the historic complex.

The planned 90,000-square-foot space would seat about 650 guests and replace the East Wing, marking a major change to the White House footprint. Supporters frame it as a largely privately funded security upgrade, while opponents see it as an unnecessary overhaul.

While the White House has hosted countless ceremonial events, it has never had a dedicated ballroom. The new structure would fill that gap, replacing the historic East Wing with a space built to accommodate large-scale gatherings.

 

Secret Service chief praises response after gunman charges WHCD security checkpoint

Director of the United States Secret Service, Sean Curran speaks to members of the media during a press conference on April 25, 2026 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC. A gunman was taken into custody and shots were fired during the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. (Luke Johnson/Getty Images)

U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran praised law enforcement’s response after a 31-year-old California man allegedly opened fire outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, striking a Secret Service agent.

An agent was shot in the vest after the gunman entered the Washington Hilton, rushed past a magnetometer and opened fire. The agent is OK.

“Tonight we saw exactly what our brave men and women do each and every day to protect our protectees,” Curran said in a statement. “It’s not easy, and I will tell you that they performed admirably. We got to see what they do. And that individual, when he charged a checkpoint, was apprehended.”

“It shows that our multi-layered protection works,”Curran continued. “And I’m grateful to our partners that help assist us with building these sites and protecting these sites.”

 

Homeland Security chief praises Trump’s leadership after WHCD shooting

US First Lady Melania Trump and US President Donald Trump attend the White House Correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. (Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin commended President Donald Trump for showing “incredible composure and leadership” following a shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.

“Thankfully, President Trump, the First Lady, all members of the Cabinet, the media, and guests are safe,” Mullin said in a post on X. “@POTUS has displayed incredible composure and leadership tonight.”

“I want to thank the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement personnel for their quick and heroic actions,” he added. “An investigation is ongoing, and we will provide updates as they become available.”

Trump was escorted from the Washington Hilton after shots were reported near a security screening area. One suspect has been taken into custody.

 

Suspect identified in White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting

The suspect was identified as Cole Allen, 31, according to a law enforcement brief to Fox News. (President Trump via Fox News)

The suspected shooter involved in the White House Correspondents’ Dinner has been named, Fox News can confirm.

Cole Allen, 31, was identified via a law enforcement brief to Fox News. He is from Torrance, California.

Allen was potentially a guest at the Washington Hilton, according to law enforcement.

 

DC US attorney says suspect in WHCD incident faces federal charges, more possible

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro speaks during a press conference following a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert)

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Saturday that the individual who rushed toward the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is facing federal charges, with more likely to follow.

Pirro said the suspect, who has not been identified, is currently charged with using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

“Right now, the defendant is being charged with two counts — 924(c), using a firearm during a crime of violence, and a second charge under 111, which is assault on a federal officer using a dangerous weapon,” Pirro said during a news conference.

She said the suspect is expected to be arraigned in federal district court Monday and could face additional charges.

“But make no mistake, there will be many more charges based upon the information that we are learning in this very fluid situation,” Pirro added.

 

Secret Service in line of fire at WHCA shooting still unpaid due to Dem-led shutdown

U.S. Secret Service agent stands in a secured area after a shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The shooting near President Trump and several Cabinet members at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner is intensifying scrutiny of the Democrats’ funding standoff in Congress, which has left the Department of Homeland Security — including the Secret Service — in a prolonged funding lapse.

The incident comes as the standoff stretches past 60 days, with Democrats blocking funding measures and rejecting multiple Republican-backed proposals to reopen the department. The dispute, centered on immigration enforcement policy, has raised concerns about resources for agencies including the Secret Service, FEMA and the Coast Guard, all of which fall under DHS.

The episode adds to a series of recent security threats involving Trump, underscoring the strain on federal protective services. The Secret Service, tasked with protecting the president, vice president, their families and other senior officials, has faced growing demands in recent years.

Last week, Secret Service Director Sean Curran warned lawmakers the agency is not adequately staffed to handle major upcoming events, including the FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Olympics and the next presidential cycle — highlighting mounting concerns about staffing and resources.

 

Acting AG says charges coming soon after shooting near WHCD

US President Donald Trump listens as acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, shortly after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026. (Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Saturday night that charges are expected to be filed soon following the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

“This investigation is ongoing,” he said during the briefing at the White House. “I expect you will see charges filed shortly.”

“The charges should be self-evident given the conduct,” he continued. “But as you’ll hear, there will be multiple charges surrounding the shooting, around the possession of firearms and anything else that we can get on this guy.”

 

Speaker Johnson praises first responders after shooting outside WHCD

Security officials evacuate U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX)

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., thanked first responders for quickly responding to the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.

Johnson was attending the event at the Washington Hilton hotel with his wife, Kelly.

“Kelly and I were at the event tonight, and we’re thankful no innocent people were harmed and everyone is now safe,” Johnson said in a post on X.

“We’re grateful as always for the law enforcement and first responders who acted so quickly to bring the situation under control,” he added. “Praying for our country tonight.”

 

Trump says White House Correspondents’ Dinner to be rescheduled in 30 days, orders evacuation

U.S. President Donald Trump is escorted out during the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 25, 2026, in this screen capture from video. (REUTERS/Bo Erickson)

President Donald Trump said law enforcement has requested all attendees leave the White House Correspondents’ Dinner venue following the earlier shooting incident.

“Law Enforcement has requested that we leave the premises, consistent with protocol, which we will do, immediately,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump said he will deliver a press conference from the White House briefing room in about 30 minutes and confirmed that the first lady, vice president and all Cabinet members are “in perfect condition.”

The president also said the event will be rescheduled within 30 days.

 

President Trump, First Lady arrive at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

US First Lady Melania Trump and US President Donald Trump attend the White House Correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. President Trump is attending the annual gala of the political press for the first time while in office. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were announced at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night, making a long-anticipated entrance at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.

Vice President JD Vance is also in attendance and was announced before the Trumps made their entrance.

The night’s program is getting underway as guests settle in for speeches, roasts and what’s expected to be a closely watched appearance.

 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives at White House Correspondents’ Dinner with wife Jeanette

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his wife Jeanette Christina Dousdebes Rubio attend the White House Correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. US President Donald Trump is attending the annual gala of the political press for the first time while in office. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night alongside his wife, Jeanette Christina Dousdebes Rubio, as red carpet arrivals continued at the Washington Hilton.

Rubio, dressed in a black tuxedo, appeared composed as he entered the venue, while his wife drew attention in an elegant strapless gown.

The appearance comes as Rubio remains at the center of ongoing foreign policy tensions, including developments related to Iran, as top administration officials gather for the annual event.

 

Bret Baier, wife Amy arrive at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Bret Baier and Amy Baier attend the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier arrived at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night alongside his wife, Amy Baier, as red carpet arrivals wrapped up at the Washington Hilton.

Baier, host of “Special Report,” wore a classic black tuxedo, while Amy stood out in a strapless metallic floral gown paired with a statement necklace.

Taylor Lorenz spotted wearing mask years after pandemic at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

US journalist Taylor Lorenz attends the White House Correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. US President Donald Trump is attending the annual gala of the political press for the first time while in office. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

“Independent” journalist Taylor Lorenz was seen arriving at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night wearing a black face mask, drawing attention on the red carpet years after pandemic-era restrictions were lifted.

Lorenz, a controversial media figure, has previously faced criticism after a 2024 post referred to former President Joe Biden as a “war criminal.”

She joined other journalists, lawmakers and high-profile guests at the Washington Hilton for the annual event, where President Donald Trump is expected to attend later in the evening.

 

Karoline Leavitt attends White House Correspondents’ Dinner ahead of maternity leave

Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, attends the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt arrived at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night, appearing on the red carpet just a day after wrapping her final workday before maternity leave.

Leavitt, who is expecting her second child, a baby girl, wore a long-sleeved, sheer black shimmering gown as she joined administration officials, journalists and other guests at the Washington Hilton.

Leavitt, the youngest press secretary in American history, is also already a mother to son Nicholas or “Niko,” born in July of 2024.

 

Corke shares White House Correspondents’ Dinner ‘bingo card’ predictions on ‘The Big Weekend Show’

Kevin Corke shares WHCD “bingo card” predictions on The Big Weekend Show. (Fox News)

Fox News correspondent Kevin Corke previewed the White House Correspondents’ Dinner with a tongue-in-cheek “bingo card” on The Big Weekend Show, sharing moments he expects could play out during the night.

The card included potential references to “fake news,” jabs at the media, a possible teleprompter glitch and even a “Hilton chicken roast,” a nod to the dinner’s long-running traditions.

The other panelists also shared their picks for the night during the segment.

This will be the first time President Donald Trump has attended the storied annual event as commander in chief.

 

Trump Education Secretary Linda McMahon arrives at correspondents’ dinner in leopard print gown

US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon attends the White House Correspondents’ dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2026. US President Donald Trump is attending the annual gala of the political press for the first time while in office. (Photo by Alex WROBLEWSKI / AFP via Getty Images)

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon arrived at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday night wearing a leopard print gown as guests continued to make their way down the red carpet at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C.

McMahon was among a number of administration officials and media figures attending the annual event, which brings together journalists, lawmakers and high-profile guests for an evening of speeches and roasts.

 

Jacqui Heinrich arrives at White House Correspondents’ Dinner with fiancé Brian Fitzpatrick

(L-R) Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jacqui Heinrich attend the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 25, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

Fox News senior White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich arrived on the red carpet Saturday night alongside her fiancé, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., as guests began filing into the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Heinrich was among the early arrivals at the Washington Hilton, where journalists, lawmakers and celebrities gathered for the annual event.

President Donald Trump is expected to attend the dinner later in the evening, marking his first appearance at the event as commander in chief after skipping it during his first term.

Heinrich and Fitzpatrick were engaged last summer after the Pennsylvania congressman proposed in Provence, France.

Streisand effect, phenomenon in which an attempt to censor, hide, or otherwise draw attention away from something only serves to attract more attention to it. The name derives from American singer and actress Barbra Streisand’s lawsuit against a photographer in 2003, which drew attention to the photo she was suing to have taken off the Internet.

The Streisand Effect describes a situation in which a person or organization’s attempts to suppress information leads to greater attention to the information than it would have received otherwise. Not surprisingly, the term was named after singer Barbra Streisand. Before it was known as the “Streisand Effect,” however, there was a long and fascinating history of failed cover-ups that provide an interesting glimpse into the human psyche and our need to get to the bottom of things.

Origins of the Streisand Effect

Mike Masnick, founder of the website Techdirt, coined the term “Streisand Effect” in 2005, after the singer and actress sued the photographer Kenneth Adelman in 2003 for $50 million. Adelman had taken thousands of photos for his online database for the California Coastal Records Project, a resource that provided pictures of California’s coastal erosion to scientists and researchers, and one of these photos happened to show her mansion in Malibu.

Before Streisand sued, the image in question had been downloaded only six times; afterward, it received over a million views and was reprinted countless times. Streisand ultimately lost the lawsuit and had to pay Adelman’s legal fees.2 Streisand’s concern for her privacy was not unreasonable—she had been stalked before. But in this case, she would have been better off just leaving things alone. So, what causes this effect to play out as it does? We’ll explore the causes, provide some real-life examples, and even provide some guidance on how to avoid it in your own life.

Streisand’s lawsuit was filed against photographer Kenneth Adelman, the founder of the California Coastal Records Project, for which he photographed the coastline of the state from a helicopter and posted the photos to the Internet. Adelman indicated that the images were free for nonprofit use and had been used by government entities for scientific research. Among more than 12,000 photographs of California’s coast was one photograph in which Streisand’s mansion appeared. Streisand, who had in the past been harassed and stalked by fans, sued for $50 million, claiming that the photo violated her privacy and showed how to access her residence.

At the time the lawsuit was filed, the photograph had been downloaded only six times, including twice by Streisand’s lawyers. The lawsuit was highly publicized, and a flurry of interest and activity followed. In the month after the filing, the photo was viewed more than 400,000 times and reposted on news sites and elsewhere on the Internet. Thus, Streisand’s attempts to have the photo suppressed made it exceptionally more visible than it would otherwise have been. Streisand lost the suit and was ordered to pay Adelman’s legal fees for the case. The photo remains widely published on the Internet.

Understanding the Streisand Effect

With the Streisand Effect, if someone tries to hide, remove, or censor information, it can backfire. In fact, it can have the unintended consequence of drawing more attention to the thing they are trying to suppress.

As Cara R. Stewart, founder and CEO of Altalunas International, says, “It’s a classic example of having a legitimate concern but choosing an ineffective or counterproductive way to address it. Barbra Streisand’s concern about her privacy was understandable… However, the tool she chose to manage this—filing a lawsuit—was not only ineffective but actually worsened the situation.”

Moreover, the effects can be even more insidious. “There is also the risk of the erosion of trust in institutions or authorities responsible for the censorship,” says Carly Dober, psychologist and founder of Enriching Lives Psychology. “When people discover that information is being withheld or manipulated, they may become skeptical of the motives and credibility of the censors. This can foster a culture of distrust and encourage individuals to seek alternative sources of information, which may not always be reliable or accurate.”

Factors Contributing to the Streisand Effect

There are several factors that contribute to the Streisand Effect. First, psychologically, when people discover that someone—especially someone famous or well-known—is trying to hide or censor information, people become curious and rebellious. “This is driven by a fundamental human instinct to seek out forbidden or restricted knowledge, amplifying interest and dissemination,” explains Dober. Second, people are also motivated by psychological reactance, where one asserts their autonomy over the suppression of information by seeking out the restricted information.

“When people perceive that they are being denied access to information, their desire to obtain that information intensifies,” says Dober, “driven by a sense of defiance and a need to restore their freedom of choice.”

While the Streisand Effect existed prior to Barbra Streisand’s lawsuit in 2003, the internet, and more specifically, social media, has exacerbated the effect even more. Online communities and social media platforms encourage the rapid spread of content and enable information to go viral.

“When users encounter attempts to suppress information, they are likely to share it widely as an act of resistance, bolstered by a collective sense of injustice,” says Dober. “The social validation and reinforcement from peers further encourage individuals to participate in spreading the censored content. Additionally, the internet culture of digital activism fosters an environment where combating censorship is seen as a moral or ethical duty.”

This all combines to create a powerful set of factors that contribute to people’s responses, and makes the Streisand Effect a reality.

Real-Life Examples of the Streisand Effect

While the Streisand Effect existed before it was named, it has become increasingly likely to happen as more and more people have taken to social media. Here are some examples:

In addition to the above, similar attempts at censorship have been failing long before the existence of social media. Just ask any teenager if they are more interested in a particular band, movie, or TV show that adults claim is inappropriate for them.

Impact and Implications of the Streisand Effect

The Streisand Effect can have long-lasting consequences for individuals and organizations that attempt to suppress information. For individuals, the attention can lead to increased scrutiny.

“This phenomenon can significantly damage reputations meticulously built over the years,” observes Stewart. Dober concurs, adding, “This damage is not easily undone, as the initial act of suppression can create a lasting impression of dishonesty or untrustworthiness. For individuals, this can affect personal and professional relationships, career prospects, and public perception.”

For organizations, the losses can be great as well. “The Streisand Effect can severely damage brand reputation and erode trust with consumers and stakeholders,” says Dober. “This can lead to a loss of customer loyalty, decreased sales, and a tarnished public image. Additionally, efforts to suppress information can result in increased media scrutiny and regulatory attention.” Dober adds that it can take a long time to recover one’s reputation from this sort of error.

“However, the widespread sharing of censored information can also lead to the dissemination of misinformation if [the censored information is] not properly contextualized,” she says.

Strategies to Mitigate the Streisand Effect

There are many strategies to mitigate or avoid the Streisand Effect. These include:

• Respond quickly: As Stewart says, “A rapid response can prevent the issue from escalating, but it’s equally important to ensure your reactions are thoughtful and well-considered.”
• Practice transparency: Stewart explains that you should be transparent about acknowledging the problem and the steps you will take to address it. “This approach shows that you are not only aware of the issue,” says Stewart, “but are also actively working towards a solution…. This approach doesn’t just mitigate damage; it can enhance a reputation, demonstrating a commitment to ethical practices and responsiveness….”
• Be polite and professional: “It’s easy to become defensive when under fire,” claims Stewart, “but the goal is to acknowledge concerns and focus on resolving the issue constructively.”
• Refrain from litigiousness: Suppressing information via a lawsuit can attract media attention, and by extension, curiosity from the public. “Instead of resorting to lawsuits,” Dober says, “individuals should consider alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation or negotiation, to resolve issues privately. By avoiding high-profile legal battles, individuals can prevent drawing additional attention to the information they wish to remain private.”
• Practice emotional regulation: Developing coping mechanisms, like emotional regulation, can prevent people from reacting impulsively when information they’d like suppressed comes out. “Therapy can help individuals develop coping mechanisms for dealing with stress and anxiety related to potential public exposure,” says Dober.
• Develop a strong support network: Your support network should include friends, family, and even professional advisors who can offer emotional support, advice, and practical assistance if a crisis strikes. “This network can help individuals navigate complex situations without resorting to actions that might trigger the Streisand Effect,” Dober observes.

source

• • Hostility: It is a formal term for intense dislike, hatred, or bad blood, often rooted in prejudice.
  • Legal/Formal Usage: It can describe the “intent” or motivating spirit behind an action (e.g., animus furandi — intention to steal).
  • Examples:
     “The politician’s
    animus
     toward her rival was clear” or “He harbors no personal
    animus
    .”

animus meaning in law

• State of Mind: It represents the subjective intention (the “mind with which a thing is done”) rather than just the physical act itself.
• Specific Legal Terms: It is used to define specific legal intent, such as animus possidendi (intention to possess), animus revocandi (intention to revoke a will), or animus donandi (intention to give).
• Discrimination/Hostility: In civil rights law, “class-based animus” refers to malicious, hostile, or prejudicial intent toward a specific group.
• Criminal Law: Animus helps determine liability, often distinguishing between accidents and deliberate actions (e.g., animus nocendi or the intent to harm). 

• Criminal Law
  • Animus Furandi: The intention to steal; a necessary element for theft charges.
  • Animus Nocendi: The intention to cause harm or break the law, similar to mens rea.
  • Animus Malus: An “evil intention” or general corrupt state of mind.
• Property & Domicile
  • Animus Manendi: The intention to remain in a place permanently; used to determine a person’s legal domicile.
  • Animus Revertendi: The intent to return; used in property law to establish ownership of animals that habitually return home.
  • Animus Derelinquendi: The intention to abandon or relinquish rights to property.
• Civil & Constitutional Law
  • Animus Testandi: The specific intention to make a valid will.
  • Unconstitutional Animus: A doctrine where the Supreme Court invalidates laws if they were passed with a “bare desire to harm” a politically unpopular group.
  • Animus Donandi: The intention to give a gift, which is required for a transfer of property to be legally considered a gift. 

FISH PARASITE & NON PARASITE WORMS;
In Aquariums & Ponds
The Index below index breaks down the Worms into their three Phylums:
*Platyhelminthes, *Nematoda, & *Annelida
As well as information about Feeding Worms & Anchor Worms, which are not worms, rather copepod crustaceans.

• Platyhelminthes (Trematodes, Flukes, Fish Lice, Flat worms, Planaria)
  • Treatment of External Flukes, Planaria, etc
• Nematodes (Round Worms); Including Camallanus, Capillari
  • Treatment of Internal Nematodes (& some Internal Trematodes)
  • Suggested Treatments/Preventatives for Both Internal/External
• Annelids (Segmented Worms), Detritus Worms
• Anchor Worms
  • Treatment of Anchor Worms
• Hydra
• Feeding Worms including:
  • White Worms
  • Microworms
  • Walter Worms
  • Vinegar Eels)

Basics, Identification, and TREATMENT in Aquarium and Pond Fish.

Readers should note that ALL these parasites are INTRODUCED, whether by a fish directly or by an intermediate host such as a snail.
If you have had a certain fish for over a year, with no additions or possible intermediate hosts in the last six months, chances are you do not have one of these worms infestations listed. So always look for identifiable evidence of actual worms, and lacking these, utilize all circumstantial evidence to confirm otherwise, including the chances of introduction.

Otherwise, follow any circumstantial evidence that may be pointing to other copycat symptoms which may include internal Aeromonas infections, Ichthyophonus, osmoregulation issues, simple aging/genetics/earlier life trauma that injured internal organs, or quite often poor diet which can cause eventual liver & kidney damage as well as making a fish more susceptible to intestinal Aeromonas infections (which can present in feces like parasitic infections).
The bottom line without introduction in the last few months; what many might think is an internal parasite problem is very likely not and is a much more common Aeromonas bacterial infection (which is all around from the soil to your substrate and does not need introduction into the aquarium) or also quite possible, with the plethora of well marketed fish foods with poor energy levels and poor fiber contents, a nutritional issue.

Suggested Diet for CORRECT energy and fiber levels/content:
Clay Neighbor’s AAP Custom Fish Food

Information is included about non parasite Detritus Worms (commonly seen when an aquarium is cleaned or in aquariums with high bio loads and is an area with much confusion especially on the internet and often mis-identified as PLANARIA (Freshwater). More about Detritus Worms further into the article.

Information about: The Truth about Planaria in Aquariums

For information about “Whirling Disease” caused by the myxozoan parasite “Myxobolus cerebralis”, please refer to this related article from “Aquarium/Pond Answers:
Whirling Disease (Myxobolus cerebralis) in Fish

Before any aquarium/pond fish treatment it is important to know all the steps as often treatment is much more than dumping medication into an aquarium.
Please read this article before ANY aquarium treatment regimen:
Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

PLATYHELMINTHES:
(Monogenea, Trematodes/Flukes, Planarians)

Platyhelminthes consists of the unsegmented flatworms, which include both free-living and parasitic species.
These worms have bilateral symmetry, and can move by using layers of muscle or by gliding along a slime trail using cilia.
Flatworms lack a circulatory system and complete digestive system, instead flatworms absorb nutrients through their skin and excrete wastes using specialized “flame cells”.
*Flame cells function like a kidney, removing waste materials.

A few flatworms have primitive light-sensing “eyes” that allow them to move either towards or away from light, while other species have different types of sensors on their bodies, including chemical, balance, and water movement receptors. Most species of flatworms reproduce both sexually and asexually.

The trematodes belong to the Animal Kingdom Phylum Platyhelminthes, and are commonly referred to as flukes.
Trematodes usually have flattened bodies, a primitive digestive system, suckers for attachment to their hosts, and are hermaphrodites (an organism that possesses both male and female sex organs).

The Monogenea are the class ectoparasites that infect fish.

Planaria are both marine and freshwater and can be parasitic, but this is generally rare and the few that are, generally are parasitic toward corals, eggs or other stationary “victims”.
See the section on Detritus Worms for more about Planaria since these are all too often confused with Detritus worms even though a completely different Phylum of worms.

INTERNAL TREMATODES:

Internal Flukes generally use intermediate hosts such as snails or other mollusks. The eggs must get into water in order to hatch and be able to infect their first host, a freshwater snail. The fluke develops in the snail and then burrows out to seek the second host which is a freshwater fish. Many species of snail and fish may carry these internal flukes.

– Here is a dissected fish displaying a serious internal Trematodes infection.

GILL FLUKES:

Gill flukes (Dactylogyrus) will appear on the gill filaments as tiny dark spots 0.04-0.08 inches (1-2mm) long.
Gill flukes can infect freshwater and saltwater fish and are found on fish from the wild as well as farmed fish.

These parasites attach to the gills of the fish and feed on mucus, epithelial cells (cells that line the inside of gills and perform the tasks of secretion, absorption, protection, and transcellular transport), and blood from the host.

The pictures above display first a standard microscopic slide of an isolated gill fluke and then to the right a Scanning Electron Microscope view of a gill fluke attached to gill filaments.

It is noteworthy that 100% positive identification with the naked eye is impossible.
Other than scraping the gills (which can be fatal to the fish) and then preparing a slide, your best recourse is an “educated guess” based on redness in the gills (which can be other issues too such as ammonia poisoning burns), and scraping (flashing) of the fish against objects in the aquarium or pond in the area of the gills.
In fact in the absence of this “flashing”, odds are the redness is bacterial (often Columnaris) or inflammation from ammonia poisoning (past or more likely present)

More about Gill Flukes;
Much of the mucus being produced by the fish is in response to the physical injury caused by the parasites.
Damage is physical and inflammatory, with secondary bacterial infections such as septicemia. Small or weak fish may die from the stress of acute infestations.

Gill flukes reproduce via eggs that drop away to hatch in about 2 to 4 days depending upon temperature.

The hatchling Dactylogyrus is ciliated similar to a paramecium. Once a host is found the water-borne Dactylogyrus larvae has eye spots that enable it to swim away from light and burrow into the fishes’ gill cover as the fish respires.
From my experience in a healthy aquarium or pond, even if one or two fish in the aquarium/pond have a large enough parasite infection to be irritated, if the larva fails to find a host, it dies.

However in poorly filtered and/or crowded ponds or in particular aquariums, these conditions increase the likelihood the larva will find a host. Once attached, it may take a week to mature and start producing eggs.
The adult Gill Fluke is assumed to only live 5-10 days.
Improving filtration and over crowding is as important as treatment.

With larger ponds, generally isolating the fish in a tub or small “play pool” is all that is necessary for treatment, assuming crowding and filtration is not a problem or improved.

Common aquarium carriers of gill flukes include: Plecostomus, Otocinclus, Corydoras, Koi, Discus, Characins, livebearers (Poeciliidae), some tetras (Characins) and Barbs (Cyprinidae), and Elephant Nose (Gnathonemus petersi).

For more about Monogeneans Flukes, which are a group of parasites best described as flatworms but are now considered a different class from Trematodes, please see these articles:
*Monogenean Parasites, Marine Fish
*Monogenean Parasites in Fish

FISH LICE (Argulus):

These are often round, flat and green.

They are similar in treatment to flukes and anchor worms. These can be physically removed with tweezers, and then the wound treated with Mebromin, hydrogen peroxide or even Neosporin followed by a 30 minute Methylene Blue Bath.
Reference: Fish Baths; Basic Ingredients, Methylene Blue

MARINE FLATWORMS:
The Acoel flatworms commonly observed are “Redbugs” or “Red Planaria”, of which the genus Convolutriloba is a member as in the picture to the left of Convolutriloba retrogemma.

While Convolutriloba retrogemma are often blamed for coral attacks, in reality this is rare. Rather, they breed rapidly and reproduce either sexually, laying eggs or by the asexual processes of fission/ budding where the worm simply splits up, producing a bud that forms a new worm.
Therein lies the problem: the flatworms crawl along the coral in search of food and, as they rapidly multiply, they block the coral’s light as well as hamper nematocyst capture of the coral’s prey. The coral is thus deprived of symbiotic nutrient nourishment, as well as planktonic food, and slowly starves to death.

The use of “Reef Dip” or a freshwater dip of corals or similar is the best prevention for these flatworms.

Where to purchase: *SeaChem Reef Dip

Treatments for External Flukes or Worms (including Flatworms/Planaria):

• • Clout/Dylox
    Clout, Dylox (AAP Dyacide) and other “in tank” treatments are often more effective when accompanied by baths or dips, as well, if a parasite such as a camalanus worm is exposed, treatment is often more effective.Where to purchase:
    AAP Dyacide (Dylox)For marine applications, I generally will treat twice with a water change and carbon treatment in between.
    ALL invertebrates should be removed during treatment (Corals, Shrimp, Anemones, etc.).
    Prior to re-introduction to the treated aquarium, all corals should be dipped in pH stabilized freshwater for 25 to 45 seconds.
    A standard dose of Potassium Permanganate or AAP Dyacide or Clout can be added to this dip for extra measure.

    This can also be used for nematodes, camalanus worms, or internal protozoans; although sometimes multiple dosages may be required.

• • PraziPro
    This can be used as either a bath (as well as mixed with Methylene Blue) or ‘in-tank. treatment.
    This is highly effective when used as directed for external parasites
    Mild effectiveness for internal parasites*Methylene Blue from AAP
  • Trichlorfon

• AAP Potassium Permanganate

NEMATODES:
(Round Worms)

Nematodes, also known as Roundworms, are a very common phyla of animals of which there are many parasitic forms. Nematodes are one of the simplest animal groups to have a complete digestive system, with a separate orifice for food intake and waste excretion unlike the Trematodes mentioned above. Reproduction is usually sexual and males are usually smaller than females.

Parasitic Nematodes can have quite complicated life cycles, moving between several different hosts or even locations in the host’s body.

If the Nematode has a direct life cycle, then it does not need an intermediate host and infection can spread directly from one fish to another by means of a fish ingesting of eggs or larvae.

If the Nematode has an indirect life cycle the nematode eggs or larvae enter an invertebrate intermediate host (such as copepod, tubiflex worm, or insect larva) or a fish intermediate host (these fish are then consumed by larger carnivorous fish) prior to being eaten by or entering the final host fish.

Indications (Diagnosis) of Nematode Infestation:
A method of diagnosing a nematode problem is generally just a guess. This is particularly plausible when a fish is eating regularly yet continues to lose weight, metabolizing body musculature to stay alive.
This is usually seen as thinning along the back on either side of the dorsal fin. This often results in a well-fed fish starving to death.

White feces can also be an identification tool, however this can be misleading as to a true Nematode (worm) infestation, as long thin white feces along with bloating are just as often an indicator of a bacterial infection; generally Aeromonas or possibly a digestive issue.
This can also be an indicator of a combination bacterial (again Aeromonas) and protozoan Flagellate infection, usually Hexamita.
Loss of appetite along with the other mentioned symptoms (such as thick white feces, along with some bloating on one side or both of the fish) can also be an indicator of a Nematode infection, especially a Eustrongylid nematode infestation.

Much More Information:
Gram negative, Aeromonas Infections in Fish

Generally a more positive identification of internal Nematodes is a thread like worm protruding from the anus.

True identification begins with a microscope (& often requires a necropsy of the fish after death).
Nematodes are smooth, cylindrical, relatively long worms, which distinguishes them from the flatter, segmented tapeworms and from the wider and shorter Monogenea Flukes.

Here is a list of some other general symptoms of nematode infections (besides the above already mentioned symptoms):

• Body Hemorrhaging
• Lumps or nodules on outer body (epidermis)
• Bloated or the opposite, wasting of the abdomen (the fish may continue to eat or show otherwise normal behavior).
  It is noteworthy that bloating in particular is generally a better indicator of a gut infection such as caused by Aeromonas Bacteria and/or a poorly functioning digestive system (which could also be the result of poor fish osmoregulation)
• Cysts, Inflammation, or Granulomas

A Few Common Nematodes:

Capillaria/Capillari.

These are probably the most common nematode due to the relatively non-complex life cycle and ease of transmission, as Capillaria spread from one fish to another by ingestion of infective larvae that live in the intestines of cichlids such as angelfish, discus, gouramis, tetras, cyprinids (and some other fish as well).
This is often referred to as “Gourami Disease” due to the frequency of infection in Gouramis

Symptoms common to this particular nematode include a bulge in the lower abdomen near the vent, or Capillari worms protruding from the anus.

Eustrongylid nematodes.

These are found in muscle within the body cavity or encapsulated on the liver and other organs. These nematodes can affect a number of different species such as guppies, gar, danios, angelfish and other cichlids.

Affected fish typically have bloated abdomens (similar to dropsy of bacterial origin), as these nematodes often migrate into the body cavity and can be quite large.
Unfortunately the treatment of these Nematodes usually fails due to the location of the larvae within the coelomic cavity or in the muscle of the fish, which is often misdiagnosed as bacterial Dropsy leading to the somewhat misleading statements that “Dropsy is un-treatable” when in fact the problem was NEVER Dropsy!

Reference: Dropsy in Fish

Camallanus Nematodes.

These infect the gastrointestinal tract of live-bearers, cichlids and other species of freshwater fish.

Symptoms (but not necessarily proof of infection):

• Usually, the first CLEAR indication of infection is a red worm extending from the anus of a fish (sometimes mistaken for feces).
• Scoliosis; Lateral curvature of the spine
• The lower part of the fish’ body is hollow and wasted
• Parasite infested fish show very slow or no growth, as parasite is taking the food.
• Fish is fading away, looks as if it is starving to death.

The life cycle of Camallanus worms passes through three phases;

1. A free-living stage
2. A series of molts during which time the worms infect an intermediate host (crustaceans such as Cyclops and Gammarus)
3. Then another molt that takes place in the final host/fish.

If the intermediate host crustacean is eaten by a fish, then the third-stage larvae becomes active and will start feeding again.
After two more molts, it will become a sexually mature male or female adult worms.
These are the distinctive red worms aquarists see protruding from the vents of infected aquarium fish.

One exception is the Camallanus cotti which has the ability to skip this stage, if a suitable crustacean host is not available. However there still needs to be a pathway to infection, which still often can rule out reinfection. Consumption of an infected fish by a tank mate or ingestion of feces produced by infected fish are possible modes of continuing the life cycle and thus reinfection. Removal of dead fish and other methods of consumption along with isolation and quick clean up of any and all feces should break this life cycle from my experience.

TREATMENTS for Internal Trematodes and Nematodes:

Before you treat, I suggest reading this article also from the “Aquarium/Pond Answers library:
Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

The above article is very helpful in that often even milder mediations are much more effective when ALL PARAMETERS are spot on.
In particular, I have seen the relatively mild Metronidazole/Praziquantel combination work well for Camallanus worms when parameter are spot on (this includes a balanced Redox by keeping oxidative stress as low as possible) and not work at all when these are not.
This why we need to be careful with anecdotal advice when it comes to statements that “Metronidazole/Praziquantel will not work”, as when we dig deeper as per my long time experience with fish treatments, we will often find that there is a reason the treatment failed, and it was not the medication.

• • Metronidazole is a mild treatment parasitic worm treatment that is most effective for single cell parasites such as flagellates (examples include Giardia), but it can be even more effective when combined with SeaChem ParaGuard in tank and/or then used as a medicated food soak combined with Praziquantel (do not use ParaGaurd as part of the fish food soak).
    The use of Metronidazole has the added benefit in that it is effective for anaerobic internal infections, common to the gut.Reference:
    *Aquarium Medications; Food Delivery of Medications
    *What Are the Treatments for Intestinal Parasites in Humans (while not aimed at fish treatment, much more research goes into human worm treatment, so still worth a read)Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby::
    *AAP Metronidazole
    *AAP ParaGuard

• • Praziquantel; this product works in part by paralyzing the parasites, thus allowing the host to more easily shed the parasite both internally and externally.
    Generally only one treatment is needed (if fed, two to three times in one day), although re-treatment 5-7 days days later of a product containing Praziquantel is required.
    Praziquantel along with Metronidazole are a couple of the safer medications you can use for your fish to treat parasites, both internal & external (& more effective when combined).
  • AAP General Cure
    General Cure (which contains Praziquantel, Metronidazole) can be used as a medicated fish food soak for internal parasites.
    Jungle/Tetra Parasite Guard is similar (it contains Praziquantel, Metronidazole, Acriflavin, Diflubenzuron).
    Of the two, General Cure is the better choice since Acriflavin & Diflubenzuron are intended only for external parasites (of which this is the better product for external parasites/worms).General Cure can be used as a medicated fish food soak by using 1/2 a packet for an average 60 gallon bio load medicated fish preparation. Fish food should be soaked for 15 minutes. After soak, pour entire contents into aquariumRecommended Product Source that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby:
    *AAP General Cure

• • Levamisol Once one of the more popular treatments for nematodes, but increasingly harder to find due to many safety concerns which includes the fact it is much more dangerous than others listed here when over dosed or even used normally as it can cause serious liver and blood issues. Even in doses needed to treat internal worms, “Neutropenia” may result which then results in the fish being more susceptible to bacterial infections.
    Levamisol is best used as part of a blend, such as in AAP Discomed where overdosing is nearly impossible since it is part of synergistic blend, otherwise use it as a treatment as a last resort due to the problems it can cause with the fish immune system, especially if over dosed accidentally.
    AAP Discomed contains Levamisol, Neomycin, Magnesium Sulfate, NaCl, & PiperazineRecommended Resource: AAP Discomed (Fish Food Soak) This is the strongest yet safest internal parasite fish food soak medication available anywhere! This is a product NO SERIOUS AQUARIUM KEEPER SHOULD BE WITHOUT IN THEIR ARSENAL!See this article for use and cautions:
    Aquatic Medications #3; chemical and parasite treatments

    Treat with Levimisol once followed by a water change and treatment in 3-7 days. Treat a third time after 1-2 weeks following the second treatment.
    Be careful, as Levamisol can kill many worms quickly, which with most internal nemtode infections is not an issue since they are not generally widespread. HOWEVER with use for widespread worm infestations, this can be a problem which is why this should NEVER be used to kill Detritus Worms (often misidentified as Planaria)

    Here is a source for Levamisol:
    https://www.inkmkr.com/Fish/ItemsForSale.html

• • Piperazine An especially good choice for Capillari and a safer choice than Levimisol or Fenbendazole if you can find it. It is also more effective than Praziquantel.
    The reason Piperazine is safer is that it works via anthelmintic action (used to expel or destroy parasitic worms in the gastro-intestinal tract).
    The mode of action is generally by paralysing parasites, which allows the host body to easily remove or expel the invading organism.
    For this reason, Piperazine is gentler on the fish and aquatic environment.
    Reference: Aquarium Medications Part 3; PiperazineRecommended Resource for Fresh Piperazine:
    *AAP Piperazine/Pipzine
    *AAP Discomed (Fish Food Soak)

• • Fenbendazole; Commonly sold as a dog de-wormer and has a wide range of internal worms it will kill. It works by interrupting the parasites’ cellular transport and metabolism.
    Fenbendazole can be mixed with fish foods, but often flavor enhancers such as AAP Garlic Guard are needed to hide this medication so that fish will accept the food “spiked” with Fenbendazole.
    Do not combine with PraziquantelDo not use if your fish has any bleeding issues, as Fenbendazole can inhibit red blood cell production

• • Combinations such as the above mentioned AAP General Cure that have Metronidazole as an ingredient as this medication is often effective for secondary bacterial infections such as Aeromonas and even better for possible Hexamita infestations of the gut, as witnessed in a white feces diagnosis where the aquarist is unsure of whether this is a worm or Aeromonas/Hexamita infection.
    Adding Neomycin to the Fish Food soak may help with secondary infections and/or gut infections while adding Nitrofurazon or even stronger AAP Spectrogram to external “in-tank” or hospital/bath treatments can help with secondary infections, especially Aeromonas infections.Recommended Product Sources:
    *AAP Discomed (contains Levamisol, Neomycin, Magnesium Sulfate, NaCl, & Piperazine)
    *AAP Yellow Powder- Premium Nitrofurazone
    *AAP Spectrogram; Kanamycin/Nitrofurazone Wide Spectrum Combination
    *AAP Neomycin

• • Epsom Salts; While not a treatment, the use of pure Epsom Salts (do not use scented products such as Lavender Epsom Salt) can help with passage of the parasite when used in a bath and or a fish food soak.For a fish food soak (along with medications such as General Cure), I suggest 1/8- 1/4 tsp of epsom salt along for every ounce of food prepared.The addition of AAP/SeaChem Garlic Guard to this fish food preparation can further help with palatability.
    Recommended Product Source:
    *AAP/SeaChem Garlic Guard

For BOTH Internal and External Nematode/Trematode Treatment

• • Medicated 30 minute baths using Methylene Blue, Aquarium Salts, as well as the antibiotics such as Metronidazole or Nitrofurazone at double normal recommended tank strength; This will aid in absorption of medications and osmoregulation that is VERY important, especially with internal parasite infestations which are difficult to treat even with strong medications.
    The Methylene Blue will be absorbed and aid in oxygen delivery although it is only mildly effective against the parasites, Methylene Blue aids in the fish’ general health.

• • A good follow up treatment as well as preventative which also improves fish immune resistance via improved Redox Balance (lowering oxidative stress) would be an AAP Medicated Wonder Shell.
    The AAP Medicated Wonder Shell is also a good part of a everything but the kitchen sink type treatment when it is not clear whether the problem is nematodes or an internal gut infectionsIf a medicated fish food soak is being used, the Medicated Wonder Shell would also be useful as an in-tank treatment to fight infection and improve fish immunity.Product Resource:
    AAP Medicated Wonder Shells

• Berberine (Oregon Grape Root Powder): While a new use in the aquarium hobby, growing evidence for the use of Berberine best found in Oregon Grape Root is growing in human studies. Since more funding is available for human studies, this often makes these studies more valuable and accurate.
  “Berberine has demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against a variety of organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminths, and chlamydia. Currently, the predominant clinical uses of berberine include bacterial diarrhea, intestinal parasite infections, and ocular trachoma infections.”
  Reference: Berberine; US Library of MedicineAnother benefit of the use of Oregon Grape Root as a source of Berberine is this herbal treatment can work with many other standard treatments such as Metronidazole to improve effectiveness.Current suggested use is 400 mg of power per 10 gallons of water and used as a additional treatment in aquariums and fish baths, not the sole treatment.

  Further Reference: Aquarium Medications Part 4; Oregon Grape Root

Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby::
*AAP Yellow Powder- Premium Nitrofurazone
*Methylene Blue from AAP
*AAP Medicated Wonder Shells

How to perform a Medicated Fish Bath:
*Medicated Fish Baths; Dips, Swabs

Salt is advised not only in the baths at 1-2 teaspoons per gallon, but also in the display or quarantine tank at 1 teaspoon per gallon to 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons as this will also aid in mucous generation and the movement of fluids inside the body cavity (osmoregulation).
Correct Calcium Levels are also important for osmoregulation that will aid the fish in “battling” a parasite infestation (especially internal).

Also see these article for more about medicated baths & fish quarantine:
“Aquarium Disease Prevention; Quarantine, Baths”

Prevention is the BEST treatment for Nematodes, Marine Flatworms, and Flukes, especially Internal Nematodes

This is accomplished by regular water changes, the purchase of fish from a known quality resource, removal of the final host (in the case of Eustrongylid nematodes; birds and pond sanitation), or any intermediate hosts (tubiflex worms or other oligochaetes).

It is noteworthy that many (if not most) fish farms are located OUTDOORS, so the spread of nematodes via intermediate and finals hosts is easier than one may think. Knowing your source for your pet fish is very helpful as often many internal nematodes will not show symptoms in fish for over 30 days after arrival in your aquarium.

A final note as to treatment of nematodes in particular is that nematode infestations are generally internal, making treatment and medication “delivery” very difficult. More so with Eustrongylid nematodes since they are found in difficult to deliver mediation internal body locations.
My point here is, hopefully one can start treatment early or prevent an infestation altogether, however from my experience this is not a “real world” expectation as I have often failed to detect and treat with success (assuming it was treatable in the first place), so one should not be too hard on failures in treating internal Nematodes, as I have had my share of both successes and failures even under the good care.

Annelids “Segmented Worms” – Including:
DETRITUS WORMS

The annelids are the phylum of segmented worms which include earthworms. Most annelids are NOT purely aquatic in fresh water; the annelids found in freshwater are all oligochaetes (which means “few-bristled”) and are not very important in the freshwater ecology as are their marine cousins, the polychaetes (which means “multi-bristled”).
All the oligochaete worms are hermaphrodites (an organism that posses both male and female genitalia) and many are nearly microscopic.

Detritus Worms (from the group of worms called Oligochaetes, sub group naidid worms) are often misidentified in the aquarium hobby as Planaria without close inspection by many internet articles such as about.com.

Many of these worms are accidentally introduced by live plants, gravel (especially in the case of common Detritus Worms) live fish foods, and even brought in with fish transfers.
(Click picture to enlarge)

Many not familiar with Detritus worms will label these as everything from midge larvae, Planaria, to baby earthworms, of which none is true. They are very common and most often seen during vacuuming and other cleaning procedures.

These worms generally are not a problem and often go un-noticed living in the gravel aiding in breakdown of wastes, however high numbers of particular species can indicate low oxygen levels, cloudy water, poor Redox and low filter productivity.
This very often suggests some degree of pollution caused by poor cleaning procedures, over crowding, over feeding and poor filtration.

When the population explodes these worms often leave the gravel and cling to the sides, usually close to the surface as oxygen depletion due to the cumulative affects of increased organic mulm (often resulting with pH/KH drops, higher nitrates, poor Redox Balance), cloudy water and simply too many Detritus worms. This then drives them from the oxygen poor gravel where they normally hide/exist.
It is when these worms are crawling up the sides that most aquarium keepers take note, often not realizing that these worms have been present for some time living quietly in the aquarium substrate before a population explosion and often subsequent oxygen depletion drives them into the open.

Do NOT make the mistake of treating with Levamisol to rid your tank of Detritus Worms (aka false Planaria) as so many forums and websites advice.
I know for a fact that the die off can kill off many fish and that simply taking care of the cause of the worm population “explosion” will remedy this issue!!!

Please reference these sources for even more identification (and further information so as to dispel the internet aquarium myth that these are Planaria):
Detritus Worms/Planaria in Aquariums
The above article is THE article to read on the subject!

Other Reference:
*Aquatic Worms

“Detritus Worms” include these:

As stated earlier, control of these detritus (composting) worms is brought about by good vacuuming procedures, proper feeding, good filtration, lowering bio load, and addition of fish that will eat these.

This is a Planaria (a flat worm, not an Annelid)!
(click to enlarge)

ANCHOR WORMS:

Anchor Worms as seen to the left are a genus of copepod crustaceans (Species Lernea) that are parasitic to freshwater fish, especially coldwater fish often raised in ponds such as Goldfish.
I also have personally caught Trout that have been covered in Anchor Worms, but it is noteworthy that these trout were in a small, man made lake that by late spring is too warm for Trout to live in.
The point about the trout is applicable to the many anchor worm infestations I have dealt with in goldfish, in that it was much more common in warm or warming months where water temperatures are higher than is best for goldfish, @ 80F or higher.

The Anchor Worm is not always noticeable as pictured here, often it starts out as a small red sore. These red sores then multiply followed by small thread like protrusions that are the anchor worm.

Other common symptoms include frequent rubbing/flashing, inflammation on the body of the fish, and generally lethargy of the fish such as sitting on the bottom or floating on the surface of the water.

TREATMENT:
Best treatment is to use tweezers to remove the worm from the fish.
The fish should be gently cradled in the palm of your hand so as to not injure the fish as a net can. After removal, the wound SHOULD/MUST BE treated/swabbed with Merbromin/AAP Wound Control (Best to prevent an infection), Methylene Blue (2nd choice), or Hydrogen Peroxide (3rd choice).

If the Anchor Worm cannot be removed (or you are uncomfortable doing so), this is especially true with very small anchor worms, a direct swab of 50% water Potassium Permanganate & water directly on the worm should be performed followed by a rinse then a swab with Merbromin (AAP Wound Control).

With either procedure, a bath should also follow that consists of AAP Nitrofuracin Green, OR Methylene Blue, Salt, Nitrofurazone, & possibly Metronidazole.

Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby::
*AAP Wound Control (Merbromin)
*AAP Nitrofuracin Green- Full Spectrum Treatment
*AAP Yellow Powder- Premium Nitrofurazone
*AAP MethyBlu PREMIUM Methylene Blue (Best version)
*Kordon Methylene Blue from AAP
*AAP Potassium Permanganate (Clear Water)

For serious infections and to prevent reinfestation, an in tank treatment with AAP Dyacide or Clout (Dimilin is similar), OR Pimpzine OR a Super Ich Plus (or ParaGuard, but not as strong)/Furan 2 combination can be used, OR General Clear, OR PraziPro (this is in order of strength).

AAP Dyacide or Clout (Clout is no longer available) are about the only treatments that will kill the Anchor worms while still actually on the fish, otherwise most medications kill Anchor Worms in the free swimming stage.

If a secondary infection is also present (which is common), such as red sores, a combination of AAP ParaGuard and Triple Sulfa OR AAP Furan 2 is often the best choice (beside the before mentioned physical removal and baths)

As part of the lifecycle, the female anchor worm will release her eggs into the water when they are about to hatch into free swimming larvae. These larvae will swim about for up to a week looking for a fish to attach itself to. If they don’t attach themselves in this period of time they will die off. So interrupting this is generally essential for a full “cure”.
This means healthy aquarium conditions, including optimizing ALL water parameters along with water changes.
A medicated fish food using your current fish food soaked with AAP Discomed may help further along with AAP Pipzine, Prazipro or General Cure in the aquarium (Pipzine being the first choice).
More about optimum aquarium care: AQUARIUM DISEASE PREVENTION; Steps to a Healthy Aquarium & Sick Fish

Beware of non aquarium professionals often in social media forums that will recommend herbal products such as Microbe-Lift Herbtana & Artemiss. There are no published ingredients from these discount seller products and more importantly these products negatively affect your aquarium’s Redox balance which would be the last thing you would want to do with a fish suffering from an Anchor Worm infestation especially one that is accompanied by sores and/or Septicemia.
Reference: Aquarium Medications Part 4; Microbe-Lift Herbtana & Artemiss

As well, beware of discounters such as Amazon selling products containing diflubenzuron (Dimilin).
With diflubenzuron, fish have been shown to accumulate diflubenzuron at a rate 76 and 99 times greater than the water content in the gills and liver which can affect long term fish health.

Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby:
*AAP Dyacide (Dylox)
*AAP Pipzine
*AAP Discomed
*AAP Super Ich Plus
*AAP ParaGuard
*AAP Yellow Powder- Premium Nitrofurazone

A follow up in tank treatment with a Medicated Wonder Shell can be helpful too, regardless whether a previously mentioned strong in tank treatment was used or not.

Where to purchase: *Medicated Wonder Shells

HYDRA:

These small invertebrates are closely related to jellyfish and coral, which prey on small fish, shrimp, etc. While Hydra appear quite small and undefined in shape, they are simply small adult predatory animals.
Hydra have a tubular-like physique and measure just about a few millimeters. They possess one sticky foot on one side of the lower part their body, with several tentacles forming the other end of their body.
These tentacles have stinging cells which are capable of immobilizing their prey.
Hydra can take out prey close to their own size and their quick reproduction allows for the quick spread of Hydra.

Generally Hydra are accidentally introduced into an aquarium by many different means, often without the the unsuspecting aquarium keeping even knowing.
Plants or other bio introductions from a pond sources are common sources of introduction.

TREATMENT FOR HYDRA:
Many have successfully used fish such as blue or gold gouramis as well as paradise fish and sometimes mollies too to eat hydra (although this often does not completely rid your aquarium of these pests).

Generally chemical treatment is the best method of treatment, but can treatments that are effective generally will kill shrimp, snails, and similar invertebrates.
Be careful of using Dog wormers as is often suggested, as while these can be quite effective, these also can remain toxic to your aquarium environment.
Better is something intended for the aquarium environment that degrades quickly such as Clout or AAP Dyacide (unfortunately Clout has been discontinued).
Thorough water changes after use is also a must to keep down a possible spike in the nitrogen cycle.

Resource: *AAP Dyacide (Dylox)

WORMS USED AS FISH FOOD

Annelids:

Whiteworms (Enchytraeus albidus):
These are worms commonly used in feeding for larger fish; for instance, Gouramis and Cory cats love Whiteworms. Microworms (which are Nematodes not Annelids as are Whiteworms) are used for fry.
What we typically refer to as a “white worm” in the aquarium hobby is a segmented round worms (Annelids) that are closely related to the earthworm from the family enchytraeids. Whiteworms are an excellent food source for many amphibians and other aquatic creatures.

These worms can reach over 1 cm or more long. They are NOT a parasite danger to fish or other inhabitants of aquariums and are often seen wiggling up the sides or even at the surface. Whiteworms are basically a worm of de-composition and can multiply rapidly when over feeding is a problem. At this point the biggest danger is oxygen depletion from over population of these worms and a good vacuuming is in order. Many a customer has called or written me about these worms worrying that they have a parasite problem when in reality these worms are good for composting and are at worst an indicator of too much decomposing food and other organic debris.

Grindal worms

Nematodes

MicroWorms:
All the worms that fall under the popular term of Microworms are Nematodes (roundworms) and include Vinegar Eels, and Walter Worms. Microworms (Panagrellus Redivivus) are non parasitic and small (0.5 – 1.5 mm.) worms, which make excellent supplementary live food for fry which are either too big for infusoria or have outgrown the infusoria stage.

Walter worms:

Walter Worms are about half the size of the Microworm. These are recommended for feeding the very smallest fry. Walter worms generally live in the water longer than the Microworm.

Vinegar Eels

Vinegar Eels are also a nematode are readily cultured in large numbers, provided certain procedures are followed. These worms (also nematodes) are a little smaller than micro-worms, a great size for most baby fish. The worms must be grown in natural cider vinegar that has not been chemically treated to inhibit the growth of bacteria or yeast upon which the worms feed. Advantages of Vinegar eels is they do not breath oxygen so don’t create any problems in the fish tank, live a long time in the aquarium, and swim in the water column and stay towards the surface.

References:
*Camallanus (Camallanus cotti & C.lacustris)
*The Worms
*Whiteworms
*Microworms (Panagrellus redivivus)
*Platyhelminthes
*https://www.inkmkr.com/Fish/CamallanusTreatment/ *University of Florida; Nematode Infections in Fish

source

Getty Images

Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. (1941-2026)

Spies, drones and blowtorches: How the US captured Maduro

Key Facts

Getty Images

crucial Quote

“We’re not afraid of boots on the ground,” Trump said Saturday afternoon, in response to a question of whether U.S. troops will have a presence in Venezuela after Maduro’s capture. In a subsequent question about troop presence, Trump said “there would be a presence in Venezuela as it pertains to oil.” He said “we’re going to make sure that country is run properly” and “we’re designating people, we’re talking to people” to run Venezuela. He said Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in to take over for Maduro, and “she’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.” Rodríguez contradicted Trump in an address later Saturday, insisting the Venezuelan government stands firmly behind Maduro, repeatedly calling him Venezuela’s “only president” and calling the attacks “an unprecedented military aggression.”

What We Don’t Know

It is unclear how long the U.S. will administer Venezuela, whether troops will end up being deployed to the country and exactly what the benchmark would be for the U.S. ending its direct oversight. Trump said Saturday that “a group” will run Venezuela, and though he did not state who would fully compose it, he motioned toward Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine and said it would “largely” be them “for a period of time.” It is not known who could lead after U.S. involvement ends, with Trump saying Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado—a Venezuelan opposition leader who voiced support for Maduro’s capture—lacks “the support or respect within the country” to be a successful leader. Trump also did not explicitly state which American oil companies could be involved in the Venezuela’s oil industry moving forward.

What To Watch For

Trump and Rubio suggested the actions in Venezuela should be considered a warning sign for other Latin American countries that have poor relations with the U.S., specifically Cuba and Colombia. “I think Cuba is going to be something we’ll end up talking about because Cuba is a failing nation right now,” Trump said in response to a question about whether there’s a message for Cuba. “If I lived in Havana and I was in the government, I’d be concerned,” Rubio, who is the son of Cuban immigrants, said. Trump also reiterated his comments that Colombian President Gustavo Petro, whom Trump has accused of sending cocaine into the U.S., “has to watch his ass.” Trump also mentioned Mexico in his Fox News interview Saturday morning, claiming Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum “is not running Mexico” because “the cartels are running Mexico.” The president said the U.S. is “very friendly” with Sheinbaum, but “something’s going to have to be done with Mexico.”

Tangent

Trump warned Venezuelan officials in an interview with Fox News “if they stay loyal [to Maduro], the future is really bad, really bad for them,” but said “most of them have converted.” He also dismissed concerns being raised by some lawmakers that he did not seek proper congressional approval for the strikes, telling the network, “they should say ‘great job,’ they shouldn’t say ‘oh, gee, maybe it’s not constitutional.’ You know the same old stuff that we’ve been hearing for years and years and years.”

Key Background

Maduro and his wife were at their home in the Ft. Tiuna military base in Caracas when the U.S. “bombed” and “carried out what we would call a kidnapping of the president and the first lady of the country,” Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernández told the Associated Press. In addition to Caracas, the U.S. also conducted strikes in the states of Miranda, Aragua and La Guaira overnight, Venezuelan officials said. No U.S. military personnel were killed in the strikes, though Trump suggested several were injured when a helicopter was hit. The strikes follow a months-long U.S. military campaign against Venezuela the Trump administration has said is designed to target drug cartels. The U.S. has conducted dozens of strikes on vessels in the Caribbean it alleges were being used to smuggle narcotics into the U.S., killing more than 100 people. The U.S. military has also built up its presence in the Caribbean, intercepted Venezuelan oil tankers in recent weeks and conducted a drone strike on a dock in Venezuela last month, The New York Times previously reported. The U.S. views Maduro—whom the Trump administration has accused of being a “narco-terrorist”—as a fugitive and offered an award of up to $50 million for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima after he was captured by the U.S. military overnight Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.

The White House

(Spicy Charred Pasta)

Spaghetti all’Assassina, or “Assassin’s Spaghetti” shows that sometimes it pays to break the rules! This Southern Italian favorite cooks the spaghetti right in a spicy tomato sauce until it’s crispy, singed, and totally irresistible.

Nicholas Antonacci, a Bari-based maître-sommelier and chef by trade who in 1981, at just sixteen years old, was promoted to demi chef at Il Sorso Preferito, offers a slightly different version of events. He recounts how an angry spaghetti all’arrabbiata slowly evolved into a killer spaghetti all’assassina.

Initially serving chilled meats and cheeses, Antonacci explains how chef and owner Enzo Francavilla gradually introduced hot dishes in response to popular demand, including a fiery spaghetti all’arrabbiata. With time, the well-used iron pans used to cook the arrabbiata sauce began to yield a charred, caramelised crust adding new depth to the dish. “This is a killer!”, declared one diner—and spaghetti all’assassina was born.

By the late 1970s, the restaurant passed into new hands: maître d’s Giuseppe Saracino and Mimì De Cosmo, alongside chef Gaetano “Nanuccio” Lonigro. The trio would go on to acquire another of the city’s landmark restaurants, Marc’Aurelio, later bringing in Pierino Lonigro—Nanuccio’s brother and a skilled chef in his own right. It was during this period spaghetti all’assassina made the leap from off-menu curiosity to a fully fledged first course.

Antonacci notes that many chefs who passed through Il Sorso Preferito and its sister restaurant Marc’Aurelio took fragments of the assassina story with them—recipes adapted, origins forgotten, and in some cases, credit claimed.

Today, Il Sorso Preferito remains in the ownership of Pierino Lonigro who, with his nephew Vincenzo in the kitchen, is still serving up the dish.

Assassina | the risottatura “error”​

I burnt the garlic in an iron pan with oil and chilli—not just browned, but burnt—and then removed it.

Into the boiling oil, I poured raw, hand-crushed peeled tomatoes, causing a flare-up. That flare-up was the ‘joy of the kitchen,’ which I immediately covered with a lid. The resulting smoke remained inside, imparting a smoky flavour to the spaghetti, as if they were burnt, but they were actually roasted.

Meanwhile, I brought water and salt to the boil and cooked the spaghetti—actually vermicelli—until just before al dente, when they began to bend. I drained them well and added them to the pan with the tomato to absorb the flavours. I stirred continuously, adding more raw, crushed tomatoes if they became too dry, and continued cooking until the pasta was done and the tomato had thickened. I tasted them to check the cooking, flavour, and salt, then gave them a superficial toasting. I finished by adding a little oil to give them a sheen, and my recipe was complete.

Assassin’s Spaghetti proves that sometimes letting things burn is the best way to develop the flavor.  They wouldn’t be quite the same without that brave first person who let them burn!

How to Make Spaghetti all’Assassina 

I think it goes without saying that you don’t have to be a professional chef to make Assassin’s Spaghetti. You’re trying to burn it after all! But it does take a little faith to avoid fussing with it too much. Here are the steps:

Make a tomato broth. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan set over high heat, then stir in 1/4 cup tomato paste and season generously with salt. Turn off the heat, leaving the pan on the burner.

Prepare the tomato sauce. Set a wide, deep skillet (large enough to lay the spaghetti in it without breaking) over medium-high heat. Add 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil. When the oil begins to shimmer, add 2 sliced chili peppers and 2 minced garlic cloves. Cook, stirring regularly until fragrant, no more than 30 seconds. Add 16 ounces of tomato sauce to the skillet (not the tomato broth you made earlier, we’ll use that in a minute). Bring the sauce to a simmer, about 5 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Slighly burn the spaghetti. Place the (uncooked) spaghetti in the skillet with the hot chili and oil and garlic

Coat the spaghetti. Place 12 ounces (uncooked) spaghetti in the skillet with the hot chili and tomato sauce. Use a large spoon to spread the spaghetti in one layer, pushing down and spooning the sauce over the top so the noodles are well-coated. Turn the heat to high and let it sit until the pasta has absorbed some of the sauce, about 3 minutes.

Cook the spaghetti. When the pan starts to look dry, add a ladleful of the warmed tomato broth. Do not move or toss the pasta, as it is meant to absorb the tomato broth and char some of the noodles at the bottom. Once the majority of the broth has been absorbed, add another ladle or two of the tomato broth over the pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Continue to ladle the tomato broth over the pasta, letting it absorb the broth before each new addition.

Flip. When you’ve used about half the broth, use tongs to turn the spaghetti over. You should see dark, almost burnt-looking crispy pieces. Continue ladling in the broth and allowing the spaghetti to absorb and char until you’ve used all of the broth.

Finish and serve. Remove from heat and transfer to pasta bowls. Serve immediately, with a spoonful of burrata on top if you’d like.