worms in my tank

mikek996 · 03-04-2007, 10:41 PM

I have had my aquarium for 20 years but recently I have been seeing small white thread like worms in my tank they seem to prefer staying above the water line. they are about 6 to 8mm long. and sometimes the cherry barbs will eat them. the main reason I am asking is I have a shallow well and I am cocerned they are coming from it. I have used a medication called hexament ( I think) to get rid of them but seems to me when I add or change some water they are back. any info on what and where they are coming from would be appreciated. I would even like to send a water sample with some in it if I knew where to send them. I am worried because this is also our drinking water but we only drink the water from the filtering system it is filtered twice ran through a UV light and reverse osmosis. I have children I dont want them to get sick or something. thanks in advance.

Mary · 03-04-2007, 11:26 PM

Could they be planaria? Google planaria and see if this is what you have. I have had planaria but they dissapeared on their own. I think I was overfeeding. Planaria are common and harmless. Large numbers sometimes indicate a dirty tank. I have no idea if or how they might be connected to your well water. They need a food source.

Loman · 03-04-2007, 11:29 PM

With UV and RO on you rdrinking water you are pretty safe I think. That said is it all water consumeed and cooked with or is it a special fawcet on the sink. I would probably draw some water from the tap and let it sit and watch for these worms. It could be something from the tank but I tend to think the well is just as likely. I am sure BJP (he is a well driller) will have a few thoughts too.

gm333 · 03-04-2007, 11:30 PM

They are planaria worms. They wont harm the fish or humans. The best way to get rid of them is to feed the fish less and do more frequent waterchanges. You will probably start seeing more as you cut back on the food source. I would change 20% of your water once a week. Once the worm is eradicated you can go back to regular waterchange schedule, but still cut back on feeding.

mikek996 · 03-06-2007, 07:09 PM

I guess they could be that. but the thing that cofuses me is I have only recently been getting them and I feed the fish barely enough to suvive, food almost never hits the bottom. but of course my filter took a dump the other day so its been 5 days now with no filter. I guess I cant complain the fluval I had lasted like 10 years, time to get a new one.