WTF? Live substrate?

[Lance M.]

I just remembered to post this- About a week ago when I changed my water and did the gravel suction, I found these little worm-like things. I always put the water I suction out in a bucket and then later look at the bucket to find any snails I may have suctioned then pull them out and put them back into the tank. Last week I looked at the bottom of the bucket and saw these short like 1.5 cm long red worms that were as thin as a hair. They were wiggling and stuff. What are these?

[BrianNY]

Those are nematodes Lance. Little round worms that are harmless but look ugly. They are sometimes introduced with dry foods. They often will disappear on their own but increasing the gravel vacs and water changes will speed up the process.

[Lance M.]

Ok thanks. They must have come from the fd tubifex worms then.

[FishLover14]

yeah try freeze dried food instead of just frozen if that is what you feed.

Dan