Weird Little Worm

[smithw14]

20g Freshwater planted community tank.

Just noticed a tiny little worm, white in color, about the size of a strand of hair, 1 cm in length, just inching along the glass where some algae has formed.

What the heck is this? Should I be concerned or watch in amazement?

-William

 

[rich311k]

Sounds like a planaria. Is it flat? They are harmless, try feeding a bit less and they will go away.

 

[hc8719]

planarias are not parasitic and safe, but dont get to sure that this is a planaria

heres a link with 2 pics if it helps...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planarium

let us know if the pics match

 

[toddnbecka]

More likely a nematode, harmless scavengers for the most part. I see them in my shrimp tank and betta bowl occaisonally, the betta eats them when he spots one.

 

[smithw14]

Well, no - its not a planaria according to the pictures I saw on wikipedia. Its not flat, about the diameter of a strand of hair, pure white, no distinguishable features to the naked eye. You see it move around on the glass kind of like an inch worm does. After I typed the post and went back to the aquarium, it was gone.

 

[hc8719]

you mean you didnt remove it, coulda been a parasite of something

 

[plecoperson]

I fergit what they are exactly---I think a harmless leech---but if they are the same things I've had they won't hurt anything and are encouraged by overfeeding. I get them in tanks where I'm raising baby snails, as I intentionally feed those guys a lot! The size, color, diameter and inchworm-type locomotion are identical to what I had.

If this is what they are, then gravel cleans and cutting back on feeding will make 'em disappear very quickly.

 

[smithw14]

I fergit what they are exactly---I think a harmless leech---but if they are the same things I've had they won't hurt anything and are encouraged by overfeeding. I get them in tanks where I'm raising baby snails, as I intentionally feed those guys a lot! The size, color, diameter and inchworm-type locomotion are identical to what I had.

If this is what they are, then gravel cleans and cutting back on feeding will make 'em disappear very quickly.

Thanks!

 

[Mosaic]

I think fish like them, as I get them only in fishless tanks. But I've just discovered they're very easy to siphon off the glass with some airline tubing.