The Puffer Forum

Hey!
I just noticed some tiny worms swimming around in Slugsys tank, they are white and about the thickness of a hair and around 5mm long. I'm really worried because he keeps eating them....are they parasites? There are also some kind of water flea? (I dont know the scientific name!) I don't know how either of them got in there, but Slugsy was wild caught...I don't know how to treat him or the tank. I'm in the UK and so far have not been able to find Gel-Tek can any one help????

A type of planaria,nothing to worry about (as in are they parasites or anything harmful) but they are a sign that you are feeding your fish too much. They are scavengers and reproduce to meet their food source.

Do some heavy water changes, reduce your feedings and they should go away.

phew! thanks! I was so worried after reading about Annabelle! I'll do a water change now and limit his food, maybe skip the odd day....he is a little round lol!

Yeah, the first time I had them in a tank I freaked out too. Oh I finally remembered, they are also called Hydro.

Its not so much that you're feeding too often, but generally its too much at once.. so your puffer is leaving a lot to sit in the substrate and not get eaten. The little worms are just cleaning up after what he wastes.