Tiny white bugs on my driftwood... - Aquarium Advice

Mofo2713 · 11-28-2004, 11:19 AM

Over the weekend I was doing a [acronym:f8883b34c3="Partial water change"]pwc[/acronym:f8883b34c3] on my tank. When I do my [acronym:f8883b34c3="Partial water change"]pwc[/acronym:f8883b34c3]'s I always unplug the heaters to prevent them from getting damaged when I lower the water level.

Unfortunately, I was in a hurry Thurs. night (Thanksgiving!), and when I was finished I forgot to plug the heaters back in. When I went to take a piece of zucchini out of the tank last night, I thought to myself "Geez!, that water is cold!!" So I checked the water and it was 66F

I immediately plugged my heaters back in, and examined the tank for anything unusual. I was looking on my driftwood and I saw a bunch of tiny little white things crawling all over my driftwood. They are about the size of a ballpoint pen tip. There are probably hundreds of them.

I checked my tank this morning when I woke up and it was back to normal 78F. I know that is a quick rise in temp in such a short period of time, but it seems all the fishies made it ok.

Wondering if anyone knows what these things are. Could it be related to the temp. drop at all or just a coincidence?? Would like to know what these are please.

BrianNY · 11-28-2004, 12:06 PM

More than likely just harmless nematodes. They can infest a tank, look ugly, but are harmless to fish. The probablity is that they are brought in with commercially prepared dried fish food.

A diatom filter is a good investment for sevearl reasons. Ridding the tank of nematodes is just one.

Mofo2713 · 11-28-2004, 01:58 PM

Are there any other ways to get rid of them until I can purchase a diatom filter?

Meredith · 11-28-2004, 02:59 PM

I had a planaria problem not too long ago. Little white worms on my glass. I upped the water changes, and really cleaned the gravel. Also cut back on feeding. If the little wormies have nothing to eat, they will die and go away.

Mofo2713 · 11-28-2004, 03:13 PM

Thanks for the advice, but they are not worms at all. Also, they are not on my glass. I only feed once every other day. I think Brian is right

Meredith · 11-28-2004, 03:17 PM

I thought nematodes are also worms?? I also thought nematodes were free swimming. I could be wrong though.

11-28-2004, 11:19 AM	#1
Mofo2713 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 273	Tiny white bugs on my driftwood... Over the weekend I was doing a [acronym:f8883b34c3="Partial water change"]pwc[/acronym:f8883b34c3] on my tank. When I do my [acronym:f8883b34c3="Partial water change"]pwc[/acronym:f8883b34c3]'s I always unplug the heaters to prevent them from getting damaged when I lower the water level. Unfortunately, I was in a hurry Thurs. night (Thanksgiving!), and when I was finished I forgot to plug the heaters back in. When I went to take a piece of zucchini out of the tank last night, I thought to myself "Geez!, that water is cold!!" So I checked the water and it was 66F I immediately plugged my heaters back in, and examined the tank for anything unusual. I was looking on my driftwood and I saw a bunch of tiny little white things crawling all over my driftwood. They are about the size of a ballpoint pen tip. There are probably hundreds of them. I checked my tank this morning when I woke up and it was back to normal 78F. I know that is a quick rise in temp in such a short period of time, but it seems all the fishies made it ok. Wondering if anyone knows what these things are. Could it be related to the temp. drop at all or just a coincidence?? Would like to know what these are please. __________________ -Chris 20 [acronym:de4e4cdd7b="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:de4e4cdd7b] [acronym:de4e4cdd7b="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:de4e4cdd7b] 3 jumbo neon tetras 3 bloodfin tetras 3 otos....1 with only 1 EYE 1 long finned red serpae tetra 1 chinese algae eater 1 male blond tux guppy 1 male red neon guppy ...and 10 guppy fry!!!!! [center:de4e4cdd7b] Vote Here for Aquarium Advice[/center:de4e4cdd7b]

11-28-2004, 01:58 PM	#3
Mofo2713 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 273	Are there any other ways to get rid of them until I can purchase a diatom filter? __________________ -Chris 20 [acronym:de4e4cdd7b="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:de4e4cdd7b] [acronym:de4e4cdd7b="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:de4e4cdd7b] 3 jumbo neon tetras 3 bloodfin tetras 3 otos....1 with only 1 EYE 1 long finned red serpae tetra 1 chinese algae eater 1 male blond tux guppy 1 male red neon guppy ...and 10 guppy fry!!!!! [center:de4e4cdd7b] Vote Here for Aquarium Advice[/center:de4e4cdd7b]

11-28-2004, 03:13 PM	#5
Mofo2713 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 273	Thanks for the advice, but they are not worms at all. Also, they are not on my glass. I only feed once every other day. I think Brian is right __________________ -Chris 20 [acronym:de4e4cdd7b="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:de4e4cdd7b] [acronym:de4e4cdd7b="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:de4e4cdd7b] 3 jumbo neon tetras 3 bloodfin tetras 3 otos....1 with only 1 EYE 1 long finned red serpae tetra 1 chinese algae eater 1 male blond tux guppy 1 male red neon guppy ...and 10 guppy fry!!!!! [center:de4e4cdd7b] Vote Here for Aquarium Advice[/center:de4e4cdd7b]

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
Tiny White Bugs?	duddi	Saltwater Fish Only & FOWLR	6	09-25-2006 12:55 PM
Shrimp looking things and white tiny bugs		Saltwater & Reef - Identification	5	09-11-2006 08:44 PM
Tiny, tiny white 'bugs', what the heck are they!?	20 20	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	12	04-20-2006 12:52 PM
tiny bugs in the water	Blue_Diamond	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	1	12-27-2005 09:54 PM
LR and tiny bugs	krystaltolliver	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	3	05-04-2004 02:37 PM

11-28-2004, 12:06 PM	#2
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	More than likely just harmless nematodes. They can infest a tank, look ugly, but are harmless to fish. The probablity is that they are brought in with commercially prepared dried fish food. A diatom filter is a good investment for sevearl reasons. Ridding the tank of nematodes is just one.

11-28-2004, 02:59 PM	#4
Meredith Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 3,184 Images: 17	I had a planaria problem not too long ago. Little white worms on my glass. I upped the water changes, and really cleaned the gravel. Also cut back on feeding. If the little wormies have nothing to eat, they will die and go away.

11-28-2004, 03:17 PM	#6
Meredith Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Washington Posts: 3,184 Images: 17	I thought nematodes are also worms?? I also thought nematodes were free swimming. I could be wrong though.