What Are These White Worms In My Tank

[paul s]

Hi, i have just set up my tank (2 weeks) at the moment i just have plants in there with co2 and the plants are looking good , i have noticed thread like white worms about 1cm long they just float around and sometimes i see them wriggle very fast, should i treat the tank with something before adding any fish or will the fish just eat them

 

[ICEEGRL]

My fish eat them when they show up. All of my fish love them! They act like it is Christmas or something when they see them.

 

[lym]

I had these while cycling my tank, it's because of the high ammonia levels. Mine disappeared once the cycle was over and I did a large water change.

 

[sophos9]

Do you have a photo?

They sound like planaria worms, OK in small quantities but watch out if they carry on infesting!

 

[paul s]

Thanks for your help, after looking on the Internet i think they are (nematodes) so ive just done a 25% water change and soon i will get some small fish that should eat them.

 

[nry]

I view them as an excellent source of live food. My cory must eat them from the gravel and I have seen my other fish eat any that are floating around in the tank. When you are cycling a tank they do tend to appear in huge numbers and then drop off almost as quickly.

 

[sophos9]

A planaria infestation highlights a problem with the tank, usually excess waste in the substrate

Dude, if they are nematodes then I believe you will have to treat, nematodes are internal round worms which can lead to infected fish eating but starving to death!

 

[baboo_jenge]

lol i've had them once. It is SO disgustinf when they crawl on your walls.
So sick. And my fishes dun like them.

 

[planter]

have to agree with sophos9 sounds like planaria. Remove excess waste by syphoning from the substrate and cleaning the filter material. could be that detritus is collecting in the fine leaves of plants? may indicate poor circulation?

 

[nicklfire]

Yes they are like tape (round worms) , they are a viral worm.. gross little things, i saw them in my tank one time... they are sick lol

 

[Brad.H]

i found a one in my cycling tank last week so i got it out and mashed it !!!