Worms In Filter

[Barday]

I posted this in the emergency section but got no response so I thought i'd try here

I was cleaning my filter yesterday and found something wrigling in my filter sponge. I assume that they are planeria (sp) and as my mum feeds that tank I can only assume it is due to overfeeding! This is the first time I have had worms in any of my tanks so i'm not 100% sure how to deal with it.

So what do i do?

I did not feed the fish yesterday, and today I only feed peas and cucumber.

If they were in the tank the fish would eat the worms, but since they are in the filter will they breed in there and just multiply?

Thanks for any help

 

[Chunandler]

ttt

 

[Tarot]

I heard that it's alright in most cases. This may help you. http/www.ponddoc.com/WhatsUpDoc/FishHealth/RedWorms.html


If it were me I'd probably be a bit grossed out but most people say it's normal.

http/badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article1.html

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

the fish should eat them but yes it's probably from overfeeding

 

[Barday]

Thanks for the help all!

ttt

Is that supposed to mean something?

If it were me I'd probably be a bit grossed out but most people say it's normal

Trust me I was grossed out!

It's not red worm, I think it is definately planeria. I have heard of this in the tank but never in the filter

the fish should eat them but yes it's probably from overfeeding

How will the fish eat them if they are in the filter?

What I really want to know is, If I cut down on the feeding, will they die off or will they just continue to multiply in the filter sponge. There is obviously going to be quite a bit of food/debris going through it and it looks like they will not be short of neutrients where thay are. Should I just dip the affected bit of sponge into some boiling water to hopefully kill them?

 

[nitro]

Putting the affected sponge into boiling water will probably kill them but also kill all the frienndly bacteria!

I would think feeding less and and 1 or 2 more smaller water changes a week may get rid of them.

 

[Barday]

I Wasn't going to put the whole sponge in, just the top inch or so where the worms are.