Little Worms - Aquarium Advice

Zezmo · 03-29-2005, 04:38 PM

Well it's not under sick fish, because my fish seem very healthy. But last night, while doing my weekly maintenance. I noticed some small worms in my gravel, I saw about a dozen on the glass below the gravel line, and at least one on top of the gravel.
The smallest was about 1mm long with most 2-3mm long. they are very thin, less that 1/4mm and white/clear. They move like an earthworm...by wriggling and squirming... not say like a leech. In fact i would describe them as miniature..micro sized earthworms. They are too small for me to get pictures. Anyone have any thoughts? is this something common? I know its hard to diagnose without pics... but I am hoping for ideas to set me down the right path to find out what they are... a deadly parasite in my tank? or some nice lil worms keeping my substrate healthy and giving my fish an occasional snack.

severum mama · 03-29-2005, 06:13 PM

Are they tiny white worms? I think those are planaria, if that's what you have. I had them for a while in one of my tanks and I heard that if you cut down on your feeding a bit, they will go away. Your fish may eat them also. At any rate, they are not harmful, just nasty. :P

dr_girlfriend · 03-29-2005, 08:36 PM

Adding some salt will kill them if you want them gone too. I know theyre gross

03-29-2005, 08:40 PM

my fish absolutely love eating those nematodes but i think they are glass worms although they may seem gross to some people i think it makes my tank seem more in a 'natural' state

Zezmo · 03-31-2005, 03:07 AM

Thanks for the input. I think I will leave em, I imagine my Botia's and Cory enjoy em.

03-29-2005, 04:38 PM	#1
Zezmo Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,112 Images: 14	Little Worms Well it's not under sick fish, because my fish seem very healthy. But last night, while doing my weekly maintenance. I noticed some small worms in my gravel, I saw about a dozen on the glass below the gravel line, and at least one on top of the gravel. The smallest was about 1mm long with most 2-3mm long. they are very thin, less that 1/4mm and white/clear. They move like an earthworm...by wriggling and squirming... not say like a leech. In fact i would describe them as miniature..micro sized earthworms. They are too small for me to get pictures. Anyone have any thoughts? is this something common? I know its hard to diagnose without pics... but I am hoping for ideas to set me down the right path to find out what they are... a deadly parasite in my tank? or some nice lil worms keeping my substrate healthy and giving my fish an occasional snack.

03-29-2005, 06:13 PM	#2
severum mama Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,771 Images: 22	Are they tiny white worms? I think those are planaria, if that's what you have. I had them for a while in one of my tanks and I heard that if you cut down on your feeding a bit, they will go away. Your fish may eat them also. At any rate, they are not harmful, just nasty. :P __________________ WE CAN STAGE A RUNAWAY GOLF CART MARATHON 5 gallon, 45 gallon, and 55 gallon planted 75 gallon SA/CA cichlids 8 gallon Oceanic BioCube nano reef

03-29-2005, 08:36 PM	#3
dr_girlfriend Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: N. CA Posts: 701 Images: 23	Adding some salt will kill them if you want them gone too. I know theyre gross __________________ Fish are friends, not food We weep for the bird's cry, but not for the blood of a fish. Blessed are those who have voice. Pinky: "What are those Brain?" (pointing to a group of people protesting) Brain: "People without jobs Pinky." N. California aquarium maintenance, scuba certification, and boat services. Need computer services in N. California? Click here!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
worms	Scarah	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	2	08-13-2006 11:53 PM
worms?	J-D	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	3	06-27-2006 03:09 AM
Worms . . . Help	PBirdsong	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	7	04-24-2006 07:03 PM
worms	leesanhua	Saltwater & Reef - Identification	1	02-23-2006 07:46 AM
the worms crawlin, the worms crawl out.....	ohio reefer	Saltwater & Reef - Identification	8	04-21-2004 02:14 PM

03-29-2005, 08:40 PM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a	my fish absolutely love eating those nematodes but i think they are glass worms although they may seem gross to some people i think it makes my tank seem more in a 'natural' state

03-31-2005, 03:07 AM	#5
Zezmo Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,112 Images: 14	Thanks for the input. I think I will leave em, I imagine my Botia's and Cory enjoy em.