Parasites???

[Jen L]

This morning I accidentally dumped a whole bunch of sinking pellets into my cichlid tank. While I was frantically trying to scoop out as much as possible with a net, I saw a few worms(?) squiggling around in the water. They were hair-width, white, and about 2-6mm long. What are they? Now I am freaking out since I had to go to work and I am worried enough about all the food in there, and there are swimming, non-fish things in my tank. It is a 55 with 8 male peacocks, 5 adult and 3 baby syno. pets, and one striped Raphael cat.

Help!!

Jen

[eitakppurk]

Google search for planaria in fish tank. If it looks like that, not parasites but it means you're overfeeding, no big deal just back off a bit on the meals. I'm not sure you'd notice parasites hanging out in your water before you see them affecting your fish.

[Jen L]

I googled planaria, and I think they may actually be nematodes. No what??

[eitakppurk]

Hmm, some nematodes are parasites, others are not. If your fish seem fine, I would just reduce feeding and increase water changes. I am sure yours were just living in the substrate (and thus nonparasitic) and when you disturbed it to scoop up your food, they got suspended into the water.

[Jen L]

That's what I am thinking (hoping) too. I give it a good cleaning tonight.

Thanks !!!!

[Regalblue]

Detritus Worms... vacuum them out & cut back on food.

[Marty]

Detritus Worms... vacuum them out & cut back on food.

Or just get some corydoras

[Jen L]

Will the synos eat them?

[Marty]

Maybe, but corys are better at getting them.

[mibwb]

Those little white worms are nothing to worry about...unless they're sticking out of your fish. Then those are the parasitic type. If not parasitic type then generally fish will eat them.. loaches,catfish love them.  I was told years ago that if you had them in your tank, you were doing great...it meant your tank was healthy. How things change. Funny thing, some people will buy or cultivate them to feed their fish. Just means you're over feeding or they came in on plants. Only problem I've had with them...is they will eat aquatic snail eggs, the kind that are laid under water. Not a problem if you're not trying to breed snails. If you're really concerned about them...then do as everyone else said, just feed less and clean substrate. Or you could use a UV light they should disappear.

[Mastiffman]

That's what I am thinking (hoping) too. I give it a good cleaning tonight.

Thanks !!!!

 Yep, just means that you are not siphoning your substrate enough and overfeeding. They are nothing to worry about as mentioned below.

Those little white worms are nothing to worry about...unless they're sticking out of your fish. Then those are the parasitic type. If not parasitic type then generally fish will eat them.. loaches,catfish love them.  I was told years ago that if you had them in your tank, you were doing great...it meant your tank was healthy. How things change. Funny thing, some people will buy or cultivate them to feed their fish. Just means you're over feeding or they came in on plants. Only problem I've had with them...is they will eat aquatic snail eggs, the kind that are laid under water. Not a problem if you're not trying to breed snails. If you're really concerned about them...then do as everyone else said, just feed less and clean substrate. Or you could use a UV light they should disappear.

 You nailed Mike! nice work....

 This guy does his homework. ;o)