Worms? What In The World?

[Dan04COBRA]

About a month ago, I noticed what was a free floating worm looking object swimming around in my 29g tank.

This tank is over 7 months old now, fully established and healthy to the best of my knowledge.

So, I called the local pet store which happens to have a couple knowledgeable fish freaks and they both told me if the worms are free floating, they were brought in by contaminated food and it's nothing to worry about as they will cause absolutely no harm to my pleco (my only fish in the 29g, I have 2 bala sharks in quarantine)

Well anyways, about a week ago I noticed a very light brownish, almost creamy colored mass that had a slightly darker center to it, in two small area's on a fake plant. Today I came home from work and found that one of the masses has opened up, and I see a rather scary amount of free floating worms.

I'll leave them be if they truely are no harm to the pleco or any new fish...

But, how in the world did they get in my tank? The contaminated food idea just doesn't sound right to me because how could a single free floating worm or 2 create these masses?

I can get pictures, but I can't promise how good they will come out.

Thanks in advance

 

[voo]

Have you fed any kind of live food before? Or added any plants recently?

 

[Dan04COBRA]

Have you fed any kind of live food before? Or added any plants recently?

No live food, no plants.

I have fed my pleco algae tablets though.

 

[PaulEbs]

The worms might be planaria , if so then too much food is being wasted in the gravel - and a good gravel vac and water change should do the trick. Plus they are harmless to fish.

Paul.

 

[WILDER]

Just to be on the safe side check the fish for puncture woulds or piercing of the skin it will look red and swollen, also check for ulcers.

 

[Dan04COBRA]

Thanks for the input.

The Pleco looks perfectly healthy. I suppose I can transfer over one of my inexpensive fish and see if the worms effect him at all.

I do have a gravel vac and I try to use it once every other day, however I do keep the gravel spotlessly clean. Should I?

However, I should add that the worms aren't white. They are a brown/black color.

 

[WILDER]

So the fish are not eating them.
Leave you this link it might help.
Try and bag one and take it to the lfs to take a look at.
http/edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_FA041