Springy Worms

[Wyld-Fyre]

Hi all,

Recently, I'd written a quick topic on a worm I'd discovered 'gliding' over the glass insides of one of my tanks. These were very tiny, about 1mm long, moved real slow, and can be better seen in front of darken background (ie in front of a leaf, stone, filter etc).

One of our forum buddies had described it as being a planarian worm. Possibly, this may be the case, but I have a sneaky suspicion this is a type of fluke/flatworm. Am I right to say that worms don't glide?

Just now, cleaning my spare tank, I've noticed another type of worm merrily twirling about in mid-water. These were about 3-5mm in length, transparent, and are much more active than the other worm/fluke/flatworm. Once disturbed, or just hunting, they moved by a twirling motion, ie chasing its 'tail-end' through the water. Altogether, looking very much like a spring. Are these planaria?

Now, the same forum buddy, said Planarians were harmless to fish or humans. Not because I don't believe this buddy, but can someone additional back his fact up?

Finally, are Planarians complimentary to the decomposition process, or should they be removed with all haste?

Thank you for your input.

 

[shadow]

i did some research and the Planarians live in waters all over the world so i agree that they are not harmless to humans or fish.
you can check out this site also http/32.1911encyclopedia.org/P/PL/PLANARIANS.htm
or just do a basic search

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

Phew! Heavy reading or what, Shadow?!

I now know a bit more about Planarians. Unfortunately, the author may not know of such a thing as paragraphs!

Still, in plain English, are what I've got in my tank Planarians.

Thanks for your input buddy.

 

[shadow]

no problem i had seen a few posts and when i looked at yours i decided that it couldn't hurt to do some fast research for both of us (in case i ever saw any in my tank )

 

[judcoynehunter]

planitria are flatworms are they not ???
i had some cos i was away and the housesitter over fed the tank but my caecillian worm ate them so ha (they dont harm fish true but they will eat fry )

 

[Wyld-Fyre]

Beats me. All they are, are critters in my tank. I've heard them being labelled as worms too often to go against the grain of things. I've been taught to think most worms are cylindrical, and flatworms/flukes are as their namesake.