Horrible Worm Thing, Freaky!

[sarahw20000]

Hi i've asked about worms in our piranha tank before which were small white ones which turned out not to be harmful and supposedly come from overfeeding.

Yesterday when doing a water change we sucked up a really horrible looking grey worm which, when not stretched is about 1cm squared and round but then one end of it stretches out and it can get up to about 6cms long and about 3mm wide.

This is the first one like that we've found but on the underside of the tank lid (juwel) theres quite a few tiny worms which might be babies of this thing?

We don't know what to do because we only feed them once a day which is completly gone within seconds and if we miss a day they get stroppy and one of them ends up with a chunk out of his side.

We gravel vac and water change about 40% weekly

Is it harmful and what is it?

(sorry, can't get any pics as i don't have a digital camera)

 

[prankster705]

It might be a leech, well it probably is. They can reproduce without mates.

 

[sarahw20000]

Ugh i knew it looked like something i'd seen before, thats what it is!

What can they do to the fish?

Oooh i'm glad i didn't touch it

 

[sarahw20000]

Okay just read what they can do to the fish, now my problem is how do i get rid of them bearing in mind i have nowhere else to put the fish whilst stripping the tank down?

I can't just pick them out as i can't see any others at the moment but there must be more coz that ones been growing in there for 3 months?

 

[prankster705]

Yes, just pick em up; or put some blood in the tank and they might just swim to that. If I were you I would start a tank for them because they are very neat.

 

[chishnfips]

tweazers, and industrial gloves. Then chuck it on to a fire so you can end its poor existence of a leechy life in style.

I hate the things

 

[prankster705]

They aint really gonna bite you. And even if it does it's gonna be painless.

EDIT: PS: Hey chisnfips can I save that signature as I totaly love it (as olready mentioned).

 

[chishnfips]

be my guest prankster B)

 

[prankster705]

Thanks chisnfips. Now back to the subject: you could net em out. And about the 3 month thingy: they don't reproduce really fast if there is only one as they are parthogenic and don't need mates the eggs take longer to mature, hope this helps.

 

[Barry P]

Id love to see pictures of your pirhanas..what do they eat..kittens???

 

[prankster705]

Since Barry P reminded me of piranhas, 5 RBP will need more like a 500l tank not a 180l one (but you probably already knew that).

 

[smithy05]

i not know much bout pirhana apart from fact the just a stomach and sharp teeth, wouldnt putting ya hand in the tank lose ya fingers??? or do ya wear huge gloves sorry if it sounds a stupid question but ya see the wild ones on telly and the reputation aint exactly rosy

 

[Dorkhedeos]

put blood in the water? doesnt that make the piranhas go crazy along with the leaches?

 

[Ben]

Red Bellie Pirahna's are genrelly harmless to humans,unless you piss them off, but are nasty to other fish.

I hate the reputation they get

DD

 

[prankster705]

Oops forgot about piranhas, yes blood would make em "active". The solution of the year is probably to just net it out.
Yes, red belied piranhas aren't agressive at all towards humans, just to other fish. Now rombs are another thing. And yes there are more than one species of piranha.