White Spiraly Worm?

[Velvet AciD]

Last night while I was doing water tests/rearranging all of a sudden this little worm (parasite?) looking thing was swimming about!

It was a .5" long, white, and it looked like it's oval head was a little bit thicker than the rest of it's body, about a hair-width. The body however was moving in a spiral motion. Any ideas as to what this is? And if there's a chance anymore could be in there?

(I trapped it and killed it)

 

[Velvet AciD]

Well, after asking at a few LFS I found out that the little 'worm' was actually a type of planaria. And that I must have had an excess of nutrients and left-over food (where? lol).

The majority of them suggested a good siphoning and daily water changes.

Just an update if any others were wondering.

 

[guppymonkey]

I had the same problem. Planaria show up when there is excess nutrients. The best way to get rid of them and make sure they don't come back is to feed the fish less ( I know its hard not to feed them when they sit at the top begging!) and to do large water changes daily for awhile.

 

[smb]

Yea, they are harmless albeit unsightly. Like mentioned, feed less clean more.

I would say that a lot of people probably have them but just don't know it as they hide in the gravel.

 

[Shark_Lover]

Your fish will probably eat them I had the same problem too, I haven't seen my in a while.

 

[Cutlass]

I got these once. My marble molly ate them Just feed your fish less food and clean the gravel regularly.

 

[shang hi]

i have very little worm like things in the gravel there about 5mm long, i've beenn using food to cycle, i think thats why i have them, ill cut back on the food.