There's A Worm In My Tank!

Author Topic: There's a worm in my tank!  (Read 4467 times) 13 replies

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Offline sunshine

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There's a worm in my tank!
« on: March 19, 2015, 06:25:24 PM »
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Hi
Saw a worm zipping around 1 corner of my tank this morning - it moved very fast along the substrate then up the glass a couple of cms then back on to the substrate again.  It's dark in colour & about 2cm long.  Didn't see it swimming.  The fish didn't seem bothered by it.
I've already got snails that I didn't knowingly add to my tank & now there's a worm too!   :)
Any ideas what it is or advice please?
Thanks

Offline Sue

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2015, 07:10:33 PM »
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Simply because I have no idea what it is, I would try and remove it if you can find it. It may be harmless, it may not but I believe in better safe than sorry when it comes to my fish.

Offline fishcake76

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2015, 08:36:27 PM »
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Hi!

I always link people with unknown critters in their tanks to this website.

http://www.planetinverts.com/what_is_that_bug_in_my_aquarium.html

FC76

Offline sunshine

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2015, 09:29:33 PM »
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Thanks for the advice Sue & FC76. 

Sue, it's so fast I doubt if I'd be able to catch it without completely panicking my fish  :-(   The only way I could possibly remove it is by taking everything out including the fish and try catching it that way....I've got a quite a few plants in there now too but I don't want my fish to be in danger!

FC76 - from your link it could be a planaria (flatworm) but not sure....

Do you think it got in there with a plant, rock or wood?  I did soak everything before adding them to the tank & I haven't added anything else recently    :-/ 


Offline sunshine

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2015, 10:01:52 PM »
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I've found a pic of a similar worm on google images....I've attached it to this post.  (1st time I've done this so hope it comes out ok!)

Offline Richard W

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2015, 07:11:08 AM »
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If it's a planarian it is probably feeding on the snails.

They have non-segmented bodies and move without any obvious bending, wriggling or change in length, just glide along very smoothly, easy to recognise really.

Offline sunshine

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2015, 11:00:00 AM »
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Thanks for the info Richard.  It doesn't seem like a planarian.  This one acts like a worm doing u-bends, etc.


Offline Richard W

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2015, 11:07:28 AM »
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It might be a leech. Very few of them are actually dangerous to fish, only those that swim quickly through the water, any that stay attached are harmless.
Of course it could just be an actual worm!

Offline sunshine

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2015, 05:58:32 PM »
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A leech?!  Oh dear I'm going to be even more careful checking plants, etc before putting them in my tank!  I'll keep an eye on it - altho I've only seen it twice so it must remain hidden or on the substrate most of the time.

Offline sunshine

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Re: There's a worm in my tank! UPDATE
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2015, 09:51:33 PM »
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Hi

I haven't seen that 'worm' for ages & then tonight realised there was a strange worm shape on the side glass halfway up.  After quite a faff trying to get it (fluval edge with that small opening!) I managed to scoop it out. It was still moving about and I've taken a rather blurry photo of it - apologies.  Still have no idea what it is but at least it's not near my fish any more.   :)


Offline Sue

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2015, 09:37:56 AM »
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Well done! I don't think I could have done that with an edge  ;D

Whatever it is, I would be happier with it out of the tank rather than in it, simply on the grounds that if I don't know for certain it won't do any harm, I don't want it.


Just in case there are more, don't relax your vigilance just yet.

Offline sunshine

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #11 on: April 18, 2015, 07:39:43 PM »
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Oh thanks for the warning, Sue!  I'll keep a lookout.   :o

Offline Richard W

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2015, 07:12:04 AM »
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It does look like a planarian. You may find you get more snails now .................. it would probably have been feeding on them.

Offline sunshine

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Re: There's a worm in my tank!
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2015, 07:23:04 PM »
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Funny you should say that Richard, I have noticed more snails lately.  Thanks for the ID of planaria.

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