Author Topic: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!! (Read 4104 times) 8 replies

Fiona · « **on:** October 31, 2014, 06:40:09 PM »

I just lifted the otto feeding stones out the tank, I always find some snails stuck to the under side which I dispose of BUT I noticed something else tonight. At first I thought it was water running off a but on closer inspection it turned out to be either some sort of worm or maybe leeches. The front moves first then the back end follows, they were really small about 2-4 mms and there were about 4 on there. They're muddy brown coloured, if they hadn't moved I wouldnt have spotted them.

I've no idea how they arrived unless they piggy backed in on the weed I purchased. Sheesh some people get baby fish I get snails and worms.

What do I do? Will they hurt my fish and if they will, how on earth do I get rid of them?

fishcake76 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2014, 07:51:48 PM »

Ooo! Sounds yukky!

I found this excerpt for you from this website.

Plants should also be inspected to avoid introducing leeches, and to be extra safe you can place new plants in a 5 mg/l potassium permanganate solution for about an hour before adding them to your aquarium. The potassium permanganate will kill any leeches that might hide among the plants in question.

may be helpful?!

FC76

Fiona · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2014, 08:00:20 PM »

Yes but a bit late now

they're in my tank already. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them with fish in?

Richard W · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2014, 07:01:11 AM »

Very few leech species will attack fish and they are fast swimming types, they have to be to catch fish. Yours would be one of those that feeds on other small aquatic organisms, most likely snails. If you want to get rid, you should be able to just wash them off the bottom of the stones, They won't breed until they are much bigger and shouldn't be a problem to dispose of.

brian c · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2014, 04:14:28 PM »

well i have an idea,move out your fish then put a small piece of bloody meat in the tank.the leeches would be attracted to it and then after a day or 2 just throw away the meat.

Richard W · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2014, 04:57:02 PM »

Leeches would not be attracted to meat, they only eat living things. Planarians would be attracted, but they wouldn't stay on the meat after they have fed.

biffster · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2014, 10:21:23 PM »

can you get a photo of this thing it might be a nematode or planarian worm

Fiona · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2014, 08:21:12 AM »

I didnt find any last night when I lifted the rocks out and they were really tiny, about 2-3mm only, I dont think I'd be able to snap them. I'm going to do what Richard suggests which is exactly what I did and just keep an eye out for any more. I must hoover a fair few out during my gravel cleaning.

Thankee kindly folks

brian c · « **Reply #8 on:** November 13, 2014, 02:03:11 AM »

dang i thought for sure that that might work,but oh well you shall get rid of them one way or another.

Ewwww And Argh I Think I Have Leeches!!

Ewwww And Argh I Think I Have Leeches!!

Author Topic: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!! (Read 4104 times) 8 replies

Fiona

Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!

fishcake76

Re: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!

Fiona

Re: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!

Richard W

Re: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!

brian c

Re: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!

Richard W

Re: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!

biffster

Re: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!

Fiona

Re: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!

brian c

Re: Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!

Assess Tankmates In The Tropical Fish Community Creator

Topics that relate to "Ewwww and argh I think I have leeches!!"

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice

Tropical Fish Keeping Product Reviews

Tropical Fish Market Place

Tropical Fish Keeping Community