Worms in my tank

[purplecandle]

Today, I saw something in my 10 gallon snail tank. Ok, I have got hair thin worms crawling on my glass in my snail tank, they are clear. They are this long - <--..Same shape as the dash.

I have seen what I believe was Planaria once upon a time (not in my tanks). But, I do not think these are planaria...but I could be wrong.

I will go ahead and admit...I totally over feed this tank. Perhaps I do it because I want everyone to eat, like most over feeders do.... But I do it mostly because I have not yet figured out exactly how much to feed the snails..

I keep up on water changes..and I stay cycled..sometimes when it is getting time for a water change the nitrates creep up..but other than than I stay in normal ranges

And another bad thing I have done recently is to put feeder guppies in. I could not feed them to my puffs yet..until I knew they were ok and a little bigger...so they went in the snail tank..they are microscopic (Basically fry)! I suppose they could have brought in something...

FYI since the guppies are in there I have increased my water changes!..At least I did something good!

So, there I admit, I have been a little bad!

And My little "worms" probably come from me overfeeding, I am sure.

So, what are they? How do I get rid of them? Will they hurt my snails or snail eggs?

[J-P]

without seeing a pic it is difficult to tell.

Q1) do they have a diamond shaped head?
Q2) Are the tubular or flat?

That will help determine what kind

[~reefchik~]

I'll bet they are planaria. I had them in an angel tank once, and they are from overfeeding.

Here's a good article on them: http://www.aquariumfish.net/information ... ble_p2.htm

[pufferpuggirl]

I'm still not certain what I have is planaria, although it's probable that's what it is. Thing is, mine were never white, they were brown and had gotten quite big. Whatever they were, I have, for the time being, eradicated them from my Palembang tank.

[soggydrysuit]

I used to have worms in the three foot tank the baby mollies are in now. That was before I put the baby Clarius catfish in - it ate them all.

[Pufferpunk]

Due to overfeeding/undercleaning.

[soggydrysuit]

Umm, I think the worms came from substrate transferred from the pacu tank which was certainly overstocked. I ran the three footer for several weeks just as a QT for any potential purchases with the fluval 4 internal and noticed the worms on top of the sand before any fish went in. I fed the tank to keep the filter running - hence overfeeding, undermaintenance. Then I bought the Clarias, did a 100% water change and added it. There was a two inch depth layer of playpit sand - perfect worm environment!

I posted a while back on these thread like nematodes, if you remember, PP? I was concerned as to what they were?

Yes, I'd admit to that for this animal in that tank at that time (2.5" cat in a 36 by 12 by 15 tank on it's own). It was a question of giving it enough but not too much food. It didn't stay at 2.5" but grew at 1 inch per week and generated enough waste for an 80% water change biweekly. Quite an animal

It's in the vat now and actually needs target feeding bits (half) of cockle and strips of fish via a manual 'claw' which I park outside of wherever it's hiding and watch until it strikes...

It's still a little timid to take food items from the pincers but it won't be long before I can feed it directly.

[purplecandle]

shame shape and length as this dash -

They are clear and are only on my glass. If I take a pic, you really cannot see them...

Ever wiped your glass with a low quality paper towel..and it left lent behind...that is how small they are, in fact I thought they were lint until they moved.

Yes, I am totally guilty of over feeding..and under cleaning...

I do not under clean because I am lazy! I just has so many freaking babies...that I cannot see among spinach left overs and green poop! I clean way to lightly IMO..

Recently, I have been trying to find something I could put in with my snails to help the situation..so I have known I am in trouble..but now I have these worm things UGGGG

Umm..can I pt a catfish in a ten gallon? LOL

[J-P]

nope, maybe a cory cat, but fighting a biological imbalance by adding bioload isn't the most practical thing to do

I have a feeling it is nemetodes. Usually harmless and if you have a magnifying glass handy (or pick one up at the dollar store) you can see them better and possibly take a pic through that.

Some good water changes, and a gravel clean will help things out. The fact that you can see them is actually a good sign AFAIK.

I have a feeling there are 2 scenarios: 1) They are starting to starve and thus emerging looking for food. or 2) you're actually festooned with then and they are starving themselves out.

I found that my worst outbreak was just after setting up a new tank ... usually about 3~6 weeks after it finished cycling. It ended up balancing itself out after that and I don't see them anymore, but I am certain they are there.

Either way, I don't think you'll ever get rid of them 100% as they are part of the eco-balance of the tank (in my opinion). It is not a matter of eradication but keeping the population under control.

[purplecandle]

Some of what you said makes sense..

I did a water change and vaccum on Saturday and since then I have been feeding peas, Because it is hilarious to watch 30 snails floating on a pea..you can practically hear them saying WEEEEEE when they go into the filter's current and because I have run out of spinach, I saved some for yesterday but that was all I had.

So, even though the peas sometimes float to the bottom...there has been less food on the bottom..so maybe they are starving themselves out or whatever you said LOL

Can I feed them to my puffer (the snails in the tank). I haven't feed any since I saw the worms. Oh and are they harmful to humans?

I will work on pics...

[J-P]

the snails should be fine but if you want to wait until you feel comfortable that is fine also.

I have not read of any instances where they were harmful to humans. Mine certainly were not.. unless you're eating the raw sails yourself in a salad

Just be careful not to have any open cuts etc.. and always wash after working the tank.