Worms In Filter

[Dana C]

Hi,
We built a pond last year for my goldfish and am now waiting for the weather to warm up enough to put them in there.
Today I did a big clean out to get it ready for the fish which took a while as I haven't cleaned it out before, I opened the filter box and there was a few worms in the sponges and wasn't sure what to do with them. They look like ordinary earth worms and I would like to know if I should remove them or not?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Carp4U]

Well, i found a few worms in my sponges and also found them on the bottom of the pond when cleaning out a while ago. The main worm found is bloodworm (very small red worms) but earth worms aren't uncommon in ponds. The worms are attracted to the moisture and accidentally fall in and can't get out so they drown, and sometimes, if they fall near the pump the may be sucked through if you have a large air pumping fan (inside the pump). You could also have got them by them crawling under the gaps of the filter lid. I personally don't think they're a problem, if they're dead (which they should be) all they will do is rot although if the worms are alive just release them back in the wild. Any worms in their dead can be left in but when your goldfish arrive i'm sure worms will make a lovely welcoming treat.

Hope this helps!

 

[Dana C]

Thanks very much for your reply,

I removed a couple of live ones from the filter today and a dead one that was caught in the spray bar, that isn't going to be my favourite job.
I noticed some in the water so I left those as you said for the goldfish I have just added