Little White Wiggly Worm Things...

[Sc0tt8]

Hi guys,

As the description says, there seem to be some small white worm type creatures that have appeared in my water during fishless cycle.

Reading FHM's guide on 'hitch hikers' it seems as though these are the 'wormy things' listed..

Any idea why these have appeared at fishless cycle stage? Is this a bad thing? And how do i get rid of the little buggers?!

Thanks,

Sc0tt8

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I might have the same problem as you.

My little white wormy things were about 3mm in length and there was little bugs (about 1mm in length) in the water? Are your wormy things the same?

It looked like larvae and adult "things" in the tank.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

http/www.caudata.org/cc/articles/Tank_critters.shtml

http/www.caudata.org/cc/articles/Tank_critters2.shtml

Check these out. I think mine might be "mites".

 

[waterdrop]

When this comes up during fishless cycling its almost always Planaria. Harmless. Goes away. Even if it was around at the end of cycling the fish would gobble them up.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[aly_starh]

i second that, they are Planaria. I only saw them once, which was when tank was cycling. Harmless to fish!

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Are they harmless to newts too?

 

[aly_starh]

QUOTE:

"I believe these worms are Planaria. Planaria are flatworms, related to flukes and tapeworms. They won't harm your newts at all, but can eat any aquatic eggs. If you use any copper medication it will kill them off fast. If you have snails in the tank remove them when treating with copper as they will die from it as well. It's safe on your newts and a few water changes and your copper level will drop. I would take out any carbon during the copper treatment. When worms are gone add fresh carbon and it will remove copper also. I hope this helps you with the annoying Planaria infestation.

Chuck"

 

[Sc0tt8]

I might have the same problem as you.

My little white wormy things were about 3mm in length and there was little bugs (about 1mm in length) in the water? Are your wormy things the same?

It looked like larvae and adult "things" in the tank.

Thanks guys,

Hopefully that will help me clear it up now.. Would the copper medication be worthwile during a Fishless cycle?


Ps. dipsydoodle noodle (nice name BTW!) I definately don't get any bugs,, just the worms & they look more like the last picture/description from FHM's hitchhiker thread post No1...

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...;hl=hitchhikers


Thanks,

Sc0tt8

 

[aly_starh]

Thanks guys,

Hopefully that will help me clear it up now.. Would the copper medication be worthwile during a Fishless cycle?



Thanks,

Sc0tt8

As long as your not planning to add shrimp or snails. I dont see the big deal but anyway, i would stay away from medications like this.

The planaria will eventually go when you get fish, so i reccomend just leaving it as it is.

 

[Sc0tt8]

Thanks guys,

Hopefully that will help me clear it up now.. Would the copper medication be worthwile during a Fishless cycle?



Thanks,

Sc0tt8

As long as your not planning to add shrimp or snails. I dont see the big deal but anyway, i would stay away from medications like this.

The planaria will eventually go when you get fish, so i reccomend just leaving it as it is.

Thank you.

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Is copper safe for newts? I'm sure the man in the shop (where I didn't buy them from - they don't sell them but he seemed to know what he was talking about) said that newts don't do well with metals...

I'm not bothered if these bugs can eat aquatic eggs - both of my newts are male so I don't have to worry about that; if there are eggs it will be stupid snail eggs (ones that came with a plant). Although I hope there are no more snails in there; I found a few last week but promtly removed them and put the now plastic plant, rocks and gravel in boiling water to kill off any remaining eggs.