Worms in substrate

[Mr. C]

Hi,

I’ve had my 55 gallon freshwater tank for over 20 years and this is the first time that I’ve gotten worms. I think they’re detritus worms, but I’d like more confirmation from the community. I’ve attached a video.

Some background.
1). About a year ago, I added plants. I’ve never had good luck with plants, but I periodically keep trying.
2). Tank load is light with 2 clown loaches, 1 good nugget Pleco, and 4 tetras. They seem healthy though the pleco and one loach are very shy. Not unusual.
3) I have a filter that I hang off the back. I’m bad about my water changes.
4). The plants brought snails. The loaches cleared that up and I like them.
5). Recent water change as I’m vacuuming the gravel, I see worms. I just vacuum them up. Obviously I can’t get them all without major effort.

So, my questions:
1). Are they detritus worms?
2). Are they very harmful or should I just be better about my water change?
3). Or should I medicate or tear down?

Thanks everyone

M. Chin

 

[Lil_Monster]

I’m definitely no expert, & as far as I know I’ve only had 2 worm experiences. Keeping that in mind, to me that looks more like a leech - how big is it? It looks kinda huge. I don’t know what that is, but I’m almost certain detritus worms are only tiny... and are never black. But like I said, I’m no expert so I could be wrong. Either way, the safe bet would be to use a gravel syphon to give your substrate a thorough cleaning. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Hope all goes well with it

 

[Mr. C]

Now that you mention it, they could be leeches. They have that flat look to them. I’d say they’re about 2, maybe 3 inches.

I guess I’ll try to do that gravel vacuum. That’s how I spotted them the first time. I wonder if they came in with the plants.

Thanks

 

[Mr. C]

Moved the decorations. Stressed out the pleco and loaches. The loaches were doing an excellent job of hiding in the decorations until they fell on the floor. I really looked hard too before lifting it out of the tank.

Vacuumed the gravel and evicted about a dozen of the leeches. Going to do this several more times, but I’m not sure I’m going to get them all. Is there a chemical method I should do or is that a last resort? The fish don’t seem to mind them, but I don’t know