Help me!!

[dancin76ersgurl]

I just opened the lid on my tank n saw these white looking thing crawling....its like a lttle string the size of a fingernail....WHAT IS It?? is it bad?

 

[Cat]

I'd close it quick and run

 

[rykitten]

Is there more than one? Does it have legs? Do you have any fish in your tank yet?

*CAT

 

[dancin76ersgurl]

there are more than one....they almost look like worms but white n small. no legs that i can see and i have fish in my tank.....

i am so grossed out

 

[rykitten]

hmm . . . might be planeria. Let me go gather some info. Be right back.

Okay. Quick search reveals:

"Planaria are flatworms, with mouths located under the middle of their body. They are related to flukes and tapeworms. Planeria are hermaphroditic and can reproduce sexually, though the can't fertilize their own eggs, or asexually by splitting in the middle.

Planaria are often confused with leeches, though they can be told apart easily be visual observation. Planaria have horn like protrusions from the sides of their head and eye spots.

Planaria can be a problem in the aquarium in tanks with egg laying fish that don't protect their eggs. The planaria are voracious fish egg eaters. They are also very hard to get remove from the aquarium, and will often transfer to other tanks on plants. "

Is this what they look like?

 

[dancin76ersgurl]

yeah i think so!!!!!

What should i do?

 

[rykitten]

From the research I just did, seems that they are not harmful to the fish, but will eat eggs.

Try searching for planeria aquariums. A got a bunch of results.

 

[dancin76ersgurl]

How can I get rid of them???

 

[rykitten]

Just thought I should add I had some white bugs in my betta tank a few months back. I didn't do anything except increase my water changes and take out a plant that wasn't doing very well. They are gone now

On a site I just looked at it says to stick a piece of liver in your tank and the planeria should begin to jump onto it. Then you remove it.

Not sure if you that would work though. They are asexual so if you miss even one it can multiply by itself.

I wouldn't sweat it. Maybe just increase your water changes and check for any decaying plant matter and uneaten food.