Worms In Sand?

[tyler88]

I just reached in my tank and mixed up the sand so that after the stuff settles back down i can just vacuum it up. I looked at water because there was alot more debris floating around then usual, and there are tiny worms everywhere in my tank. I had just stopped treatment for ick a week ago, is this a parasite or what? i can post pics in a little if necessary. they are maybe 5mm long and almost clear.

 

[three-fingers]

If it's a relatively new tank or a planted tank all sorts of small worms and critters are common, and can come in blooms in new tanks. They are probably just harmless nematodes feeding off organic waste in the substrate, so don't worry .

If it's a new tank, maybe up the gravel cleaning and water change frequency for a few weeks and see if that reduces their numbers. If it's a planted tank, just give it time to mature and they will eventually reduce in numbers.

Have a check through this guide: Hitchhikers in Freshwater Tanks and Ponds.

In the mean time at least your fish get extra snacks!

 

[tyler88]

Ok, thank you. The tanks been going probably 4 or 5 months now, and has no plants. I have been vacuuming weekly but must not have been getting stuff all the way at the bottom. Ill take a look at the guide.