Tiny white worms?

[DreaminginBlue]

I just saw some tiny white worms crawling along a leaf in my tank. They were only a few millimeters long. When disturbed, they swam away by wriggling rapidly. I can try to get photos or videos in the morning, but they're just so small I'm not sure how to.
I'm thinking they're detrius worms, but I could be wrong. Any ideas?

 

[nirbhao]

Likely planaria. If they looked like they were doing mini figure 8s, they are probably nematodes.

 

[DreaminginBlue]

Gosh... I'll try to get a video. I honestly have no clue. Are any of those types of worms harmful? If so, what do I do to get rid of them without hurting my shrimp and snails?

 

[DreaminginBlue]

I've been trying to find some but no luck. I saw them last night right before lights out while checking on the tank. I've watched YouTube videos and now I'm even more confused...
All I know is they were crawling along my vallisneria (eating some algae?) and when I disturbed them they swam away really quickly by wriggling really fast. I will do my best to get pictures or videos.

 

[TMaier]

I have never seen planaria swim. They glide over the substrate surface or on the glass. And they are not fast. So it has to be something else.

 

[DreaminginBlue]

Hmm... well at least we've ruled something out. That leaves nematodes or detrius worms. I don't have any experience with either, so I'm probabaly of no help. I will try and get another picture this evening if they come out again.

 

[TMaier]

Try searching YouTube for both and see which looks like what you spotted.

 

[The Shadow]

One picture is worth a thousand words .

 

[Brookster123]

Detritus worms aka fish food

 

[nirbhao]

I would be curious how these critters respond to a solid vacuum and tank fast.

 

[DreaminginBlue]

I'll give that a go. I've been a little concerned about doing a water change as I just spotted some teeny shrimplets! Maybe if I go slow and make sure to check the bucket all will go well.
I have had no luck spotting them again, I looked last night and found nothing. When I saw them the other day they were crawling along a leaf eating algae, yet last night I checked every leaf and found none. I'll just have to keep my eyes peeled in case they make another appearance.

 

[TMaier]

Use a white bucket to help spot shrimp!

 

[DreaminginBlue]

Good idea! I'll have to run to the hardware store and pick one up. My current bucket is red so I have no clue how I'd manage to spot reddish babies in there

 

[TMaier]

Clear is even easier to spot them. Some of the young ones are hard to spot. Not a lot of color yet.

 

[DreaminginBlue]

Yea, I can barely find them when they're in the tank... I'll see if I can find a clear bucket.

 

[TMaier]

I got a food safe one at Smart & Final. It's only 6 quarts but I can check a bit at a time. Autumnsky gave me a trick. If you swirl the water a bit the shrimp will move across the current. It makes them easier to spot too.

 

[DreaminginBlue]

I'll have to try that! Thanks for the pointers