READ NOW!!! there's something lurking in the tank

[Olive]

Okay so we got a really bad case of ick in the puffer tank. Killed the puffer . He died this morning.

My hubbie noticed there are little white squirmy worms crawling around in the tank.......they are slinking around on the tank walls..........is this ick? I didn't think you could see them?!?! Maybe some kind of parasite?

Please help, I have never ever seen this before.........fear for the bristlenose!!!!

 

[Olive]

Pa-lease someone help.......it is really getting gross. I plan to do water changes out the wazoo........but wanna know what else to do.........eek this is sooooo nasty.........little worms just oozing around the tank sama: :saddam: ........probably attacking my poor bristlenose!!!!!

 

[LoveMyOscar]

...

 

[Olive]

LoveMyOscar,Feb 26 2004, 12:43 AM] Well they are probably either Hydra, Nematodes or Planaria.

There are approximately 10,000 to 10,000,000 species in the Phylum Nematoda. Free-living (ie without a 'host') forms can reach sizes between 1mm to 2 cm (0.04"- 0.8"). Nematodes that live in the aquarium usually reside in the gravel, but when disturbed they swim in a snake like manner. Much like that of a sea snake. They can be easily seen in a bucket after cleaning the gravel.

There are three types of nematodes: parasitic, scavengers and herbivores. The vast majority of nematodes are parasitic. All three are able to live within the aquarium; however the scavengers are usually the most common.

Not all nematodes are a menace in the aquarium, the scavenger nematodes can help break down the organic waste in the aquarium. If you are treating your fish tank for nematodes, make sure you know that they are parasitic, as the medications you use will kill the beneficial worms as well.

Populations of nematodes can be reduced or elimated by reduced feedings and increased water changes. There is a product produced by Materpet called CureEx, which kills a range of nematodes.

Oh wow I am so glad that you replied..........they are exactly like these........

 

[Olive]

LoveMyOscar,Feb 26 2004, 12:43 AM] Well they are probably either Hydra, Nematodes or Planaria.

There are approximately 10,000 to 10,000,000 species in the Phylum Nematoda. Free-living (ie without a 'host') forms can reach sizes between 1mm to 2 cm (0.04"- 0.8"). Nematodes that live in the aquarium usually reside in the gravel, but when disturbed they swim in a snake like manner. Much like that of a sea snake. They can be easily seen in a bucket after cleaning the gravel.

There are three types of nematodes: parasitic, scavengers and herbivores. The vast majority of nematodes are parasitic. All three are able to live within the aquarium; however the scavengers are usually the most common.

Not all nematodes are a menace in the aquarium, the scavenger nematodes can help break down the organic waste in the aquarium. If you are treating your fish tank for nematodes, make sure you know that they are parasitic, as the medications you use will kill the beneficial worms as well.

Populations of nematodes can be reduced or elimated by reduced feedings and increased water changes. There is a product produced by Materpet called CureEx, which kills a range of nematodes.

Oh wow I am so glad that you replied..........they are exactly like these........

soooo....how do I know which are which? I am assuming since there was a problem in the tank before that maybe these are parasitic nematodes?

I want to thank you so much for all that info you pulled up for me.......I had no idea what to do. You are a true lifesaver.......my bristlenose thanks you for all of your help!

 

[LoveMyOscar]

...

 

[Olive]

No problem! I am glad I could help I think I have heard somewhere that using coppersafe will take care of them also.

Hmmm....wondered about that...........I am thinking since I have only one fish in there now that I will just move him and tear down the tank and start over........gonna use the tank as a baby tank/ hospital tank........

thank you so much again for your help. really helps to know someone is always here with an answer when I am freaking out!

 

[MartinB]

I think I have the same thing eating my neon eggs.

 

[Olive]

I think I have the same thing eating my neon eggs.

YOUCH! that sucks........sorry to hear that.......neon eggs are so rare.......at least for me anyway..........

 

[MartinB]

My main tank don't have any.
But I have found my other 2 tank has them.
Their is alot of them in my fry tank.

Like to know where thay came from.

Also as I have none in my main tank.
Do I have a fish that eats them?

 

[wuvmybetta]

They also eat eggs and newly hatched fry.

This is true

I sat in horror watching them eat my little orange betta fry yesterday *bursts into tears*, there was nothing I could do to save them

 

[Olive]

They also eat eggs and newly hatched fry.

This is true

I sat in horror watching them eat my little orange betta fry yesterday *bursts into tears*, there was nothing I could do to save them

OMIOSH that is horrible horrible horrible!!!!!!


sooooo sorry.............


my lfs store said to try "had a snail", or just to tear the tank down and start fresh..........I think I will just try to reduce feedings.................

 

[MartinB]

Olive have you still got them

 

[akhtar]

They also eat eggs and newly hatched fry.

This is true

I sat in horror watching them eat my little orange betta fry yesterday *bursts into tears*, there was nothing I could do to save them

ORANGE BETTA!!!! woooooooooow theyre raaaareee!!! sorry to hear theyre eggs are being eaten


olive, i heard if its planeria ( tiny white worms ) its coz u have overfeeding, and food is bein leftover and isnt being eaten... feel them less is the best u could do,

or siphone them all out