White worm things on tank front

[Rob 28]

When I checked my 2 week old tank this morning I noticed small white things attached to the inside of the tank front. I thought these were debris at first but on closer inspection I noticed they were moving. They were small white worms of some sort. There were loads of them - I think some were floating in the water too. I have noticed some very small snails in the tank that must have come from the plants I put in - any connection ? Also the only other thing I can think of is that the day before I put some bogwood in.

What are these things ? Are they parasites that I need to do something about asap ??

 

[DrOizo]

They are harmless Over feeding worms and are common in all newish tanks. They will make excellent live food for catfish and many other fish so I suggest Getting some cories. Don't sweat it as they will be gone within a few hours of putting the Cories in. As for the snails I would get rid of them as once they get hold of a tank they are very hard to remove unless you use a molluscite (Sp?) which I wouldn't

HTH

 

[Rob 28]

Thanks mate - thats a relief.

Plus - Snail hunting tonight it is then.

 

[|SagE|]

I have the same thing and my tank is new, can I just leave them ??? I just have tropical tetras

 

[Rob 28]

just leave them - mine went overnight. fish must have ate them

 

[susangc]

They're called planaria, and they can hide in gravel if they're not eaten. If your substrate is gravel, give it a good vacuuming. (You should anyway, to deal with the extra food, but now you're worm hunting...)

I missed a few the first time -- some went swimming. Made a great live dinner for my betta

Susan

 

[zeddsdead]

I've seen these in my tank too. they are white, the longest ones i could find were only about 3mm, thin as a hair and wiggle wildly in free water. i dont know where they came from but no question about it they are there now. just about all the fish in the community enjoy hopping, skipping, sprinting to the next little morsel. so far so good. not very noticeable unless paying super close attention. oh and by the way, the tank i have has been established for over 10 years now. never noticed these guys before.

 

[yellowsky]

i thought they were mosquito larvae in my plant bowl,
musta been wrong,
u sure theyre harmless?