What killed off my RCS?

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Johnnybravo60025

Johnnybravo60025

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 31, 2008
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So my RCS/snail 10 gallon was doing fine for 4-5 months and then all of the sudden, my RCS disappeared. In the mean time, I noticed I was getting what looked to be flatworms (That's the best way to describe them). Since then, I've noticed my snails have stopped breeding as quickly.

I'm guessing that the worms killed them off, but I'm not too sure. Is there anyway I can get rid of the worms without "nuking" the entire tank?
 
The worms are most likely planeria. They are generally harmless but when in large numbers they can do damage. They usually show up due to abundant food. I would cut back on feeding and increase gravel vacuuming to get rid of them.
 
the planaria is what did it. they can and do sting and kill shrimp. that is what happend i can almost guarentee that.
 
Blue2Fyre;4214086;4214086 said:
The worms are most likely planeria. They are generally harmless but when in large numbers they can do damage. They usually show up due to abundant food. I would cut back on feeding and increase gravel vacuuming to get rid of them.
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How does the gravel vacuuming get rid of them? I only ask because they're all over the sides of the tank.
 
They are in the gravel too. I would suck them off the side of the glass with the siphon. It also helps eliminate extra food that is causing their population.
 
cut feeding in half
do a large water change
vaccum gravel like every one eles says
the little worm live off the un eatten food
 
Interesting, I have never heard of Planaria with the ability to sting. Hydra yes, Planaria no. If you have this many Planaria though you have a major over feeding issue here and that is actually most likely what killed your shrimp. hardy as they can be, poor water quality will knock them off in a heart beat.
 
I know this thread is a bit old but i wanted to respond. The planaria are indeed what killed off your CRS. Vacuuming the gravel, doing water changes, cutting back on feeding, all very good thing's to do when keeping any type of dwarf shrimp. But none of these things will get rid of planaria. If you cut a planaria in half you get two planaria. vaccing the gravel would surely tear many of them in two or more pieces. If your still having this problem heres a link that may help. http://www.planetinverts.com/killing_planaria_and_hydra.html
 
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