small worms in the cannister and power filter

[nihn]

Im cleaning my cannister and power filter and notice that theirs a worm inside both. Not like the one outside, its really small you can see it crawling. Its smaller than a blood worm but i havent feed my fish any kind of worms. I tried to take a picture but its too small for a close-up.
Is their something wrong or is that a parasite or something.
(use a fine pen and draw a small line, its almost that big but a little smaller)

Thanks for all your help.

 

[joey02]

Sounds like planaria worms to me. They appear in tanks that are overfed and when ammonia levels rise. Luckly they are hamless, and they fish will probely eat them all eventually.

 

[nihn]

Is their any side effects for the fish?

 

[Ang]

though if it is planaria, take that as your cue to step it up on cleaning your tank and feeding your fish less.

 

[Ang]

Is their any side effects for the fish?

no - the planaria dont harm anything. The problem when you see them is you know your tank needs some attention.

 

[nihn]

how can i get rid of it?

 

[nihn]

any medication to drop in?

 

[Ang]

no. No meds. only use meds as a last resort for things.


What you need to do is clean your tank. Do a 75% water change. Vacuume the gravel really really well.

Also, you can use some panty hose and put a small amount of meat in it and hang it in the tank. After a few hours, maybe the next day, you'll see a lot of the planaria swarming on it. Then you can just yank it out and you've removed a bunch of them. ---> this method isnt necessary though. And i dont recomend it if you have large carnivorous fish that could eat the panty hose. lol


Just do 75% water changes every 3 days and cut the amount you feed your fish by like half - for good.

Then in a couple weeks. Open your filter and rinse out your media (not in tap water though).

Basically you will be starving the planaria out of your tank without starving your fish. In fact they'll be happy with the frequent water changes.

 

[nihn]

I did a search, but mine is only found inside the cannister and power filter its not visible outside or floating in the glass. Is that still planaria?

 

[Ang]

I did a search, but mine is only found inside the cannister and power filter its not visible outside or floating in the glass. Is that still planaria?

i dont know. They are tiny white worms