Identify this brown, long worm? Freshwater tank

[Ariel347]

Hello! I have a 13 gallon freshwater tank which I cycled for 3 months, and I've had one betta and one mystery snail.

I saw a long, brown worm moving in the gravel yesterday after I gravel vaccumed. (Photo attached)

Do you recognize this worm? It's staying in the gravel. I wonder if it is something that would harm my fish or if I can allow it to exist as part of the aquarium without specifically treating it...maybe just more gravel vaccuming?

I got the mystery snail one month after the betta and didn't see any problems. I did, however, recently add plants that had been growing in another backup aquarium I was cycling. I'm guessing the worm could have come from that.....Just wondering if it's dangerous to my fish!! It looks almost like an earthworm..and it is cute and fast

Thank you!

 

[Colin_T]

It looks like a leech. Check the ends and see if it has a suction cup mouth. If it does then it's a leech and should be removed.

 

[Ariel347]

Oh my gosh! Do you recommend a glass planaria trap? It stays hidden under the gravel so don't know how I will find it to remove it. Thank you for your response.

 

[Colin_T]

Don't waste your money buying a trap. If it's a leech, it will try to latch onto the fish or snail in the tank, then catch it out. Otherwise just look for it when you do a gravel clean and net it out.

If you're really worried, add 2 heaped tablespoons of rock salt, sea salt, or swimming pool salt for every 20 litres of water. Leave the salt in the tank for a week then dilute it out. Leeches don't do well in salt water.

 

[Martyn87]

Forceps or tweezers would be best...if you can find it