Every once in a while, I see little white worms thinner than a human hair and about 1/4 inch long floating around. About a year ago, I had an infestation, so I broke down the entire tank, cleaned everything, threw out the gravel, and started over, and now I'm seeing them again, but not as abundant. I'm also having problems keeping my water clear. I'm doing 20% changes 3X a week trying to clear it up, and it's gradually getting better. It's a white cloudiness, which is a bacterial imbalance, right? Fish sem to be doing ok, but Oscar isn't as aggressive as usual. Any clues? Especially the little worms?
Tiny White Worms
- Thread starter jcashion
- Start date
hi fella heres a name for you to research what you have is almost certainly a worm called 'planaria' do a google search for lots of info. i would think from what you are saying about a cloudy tank that both are related and the cause is over feeding. planaria will thrive in a tank if you over feed, ive done it myself many moons ago. when i had an outbreak i did a good gravel vac and didnt feed the tank for a week and a half (you could go for two weeks without problems.) the key to feeding most fish is all they can eat in about 30 seconds if veracious, and say a minute for the slow eaters. this much once a day is plenty for them and i regularly miss 2 days a week when i feed.
the white cloud could be a bacterial bloom, the problem here is that too many water changes removing too much ammonia is starving your bacteria in the filter and you are actually causing a mini cycle. i suggest no feeding and a 20% water change in about 3 days time followed buy say a 15% water change on the 7th day. then a 30% water change every week or two from then on. if that dont sort your tank out nothing will. hope this helps
the white cloud could be a bacterial bloom, the problem here is that too many water changes removing too much ammonia is starving your bacteria in the filter and you are actually causing a mini cycle. i suggest no feeding and a 20% water change in about 3 days time followed buy say a 15% water change on the 7th day. then a 30% water change every week or two from then on. if that dont sort your tank out nothing will. hope this helps
Overfeeding. That is my suspicion. Try to feed less and test your water, the "milkyness" is probably an ammonia spike. You need to let the tank cycle out.
Those little worms are present in EVERY tank but are not normally seen unless they are way over abbundent. Which is almost always a sign of gross over feeding.
Those little worms are present in EVERY tank but are not normally seen unless they are way over abbundent. Which is almost always a sign of gross over feeding.
The tiny worms could be planaria. Walls is right. There will be an explosion of planarians if there is an abundance of leftover food. A way to lessen them is to do more water changes and cut back on feeding.
You can also employ fish that love to snack on planarias. Small livebearers work and small sized geophagus too.
You can also employ fish that love to snack on planarias. Small livebearers work and small sized geophagus too.
danny boy said:
I dont think i echoed you if that is what your implying. Your method is not to feed the tank which to me is overkill. Planarians are not harmful so reduction of feeding and not completely halting it should be adequate.
I also recommended small fish that are capable of eating planarias.
Thanks guys! I usually only feed them once every couple of days, and I give the Dempsey and Oscar about 8 Large Cichlid sticks. Once in a while a few feeders. The one time my tank had the bad infestation I was feeding them like twice a day, so I cut way down. I love my Oscar, but when he eats, so does everyone else. Nasty fish, but he's my baby. 2 1/2 years old now 
) Thanks for the help fellas. I'll keep you posted.
) Thanks for the help fellas. I'll keep you posted.
Less food more filtration.And for an oscar you should hahe a bottom feeder for all the food he chuffs out his gills.I have a pictus cat look cool and get pretty big.