Little white bugs / worms on glass

[Brandonclark88]

So I brought home a new flowerhorn that had a white spot on it. Asked the seller what it was and he said it was from her and another fish getting into a fight. Kind of odd that after adding her to the aquarium about 5 days ago now these little white bugs / worms have appeared. Any idea what these are? How do I get rid of them? Thanks in advance!

 

[flukekiller]

looks like planaria,, usually comes from overfeeding

 

[tarheel96]

Planaria ... a type of flatworm. Fenbendazole or flubendazole will kill flatworms but try reducing feeding and increasing tank maintenance first.

 

[Brandonclark88]

Thanks for the quick responses. Will up wc from 50% once a week to 50% twice a week til it clears up and will cut way back on feedings. My Flowerhorns going to be mad.... he's a pig lol. Will adding salt help clear it up any quicker? And can these be transferred by fish? 10 years in the hobby and the first time I've had planaria

 

[markstrimaran]

Yes, fish can, very common.

 

[flukekiller]

i dunno bout the salt never used it for planaria. i have always bought dewormer for dogs in the past. just check the ingredients, it must have Fenbendazole

 

[tarheel96]

Also, be sure to vacuum the gravel with water changes to get their numbers down. I've heard of salt being used but at very high levels ... near SG 1.008. Dog dewormer (Fenbendazole) is the easiest way ... 100mg dewormer per 10 gallons.

 

[Brandonclark88]

Thanks guys. My female is sitting on eggs so I'm going to wait until they are free swimming and I suck them out before I try that. Not sure if it would harm them or not. Just did a very thorough gravel vac and a 60% water change. Thank you everything me so far!

 

[duanes]

When your cichlid fry become free swimming, you may find they see the planaria as a good food source. Planaria are eaten by many types of small fish, paradise gouramis (Macropodus) will clear a tank of them in a very short time, if you stop overfeeding.

 

[duanes]

One thing you may want to check.
If they have a triangular shaped head, when viewed under magnification, then they are planaria.
If not, they could be juvienelle leeches, which could harm your fish, and a much more punitive approach should be taken.
Find someone with, or buy a magnifying glass that works with that size organism, or find someone with a microscope to be sure.