Worms - what to do?

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kj fishy-finn

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Sep 5, 2008
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Littleton, CO
I was going to replant my tank this summer, but plans came to a halt when I started finding leeches and red worms in my substrate when I did a gravel vac. I would like to get rid of these worms for good and hopefully try to keep them out when I reintroduce plants back into my tank. I only have 4 weeks left this summer to get it planted and situated before I become too busy with school, so what should I do?

On FishProfiles I tried to get my question answered, but the forum has come to a screeching halt: http://fishprofiles.com/files/threads/38370.1.htm?24#

Can anyone help me please? And with all haste?!?
 
Could you please post pics of both leeches and red worms? If these red worms are simply an inch, those are bloodworms that will not harm anything. They are midge larva and they thrive better in muddy areas.
 
Here is what the black leeches look like for the most part: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=514717&l=746ce058ad&id=1221167544

Here are what the red worms look like: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=514718&l=0d325a3fcf&id=1221167544

This isnt the best picture of the red worms though, but I assume they are all the same species. The red worms are usually like 1-2 inches long probably and a dark red, almost bloody color. They are a lot thicker around like the black ones also.

Hope this helps.
 
The red worms are detritus worms. I wouldn't worry about that. Cut on feeding and do more gravel vacuuming. If these leeches are not parasitic, just remove them and cut on feeding.
 
It was suggested in another thread on another site to add salt to the water, but not enough to harm my fish to get rid of these worms. I have harlequin rasboras and panda corydoras. Would this work? If so, how much could I probably add that would be safe and work?
 
I don't recommend using salt just to get rid of the creatures that do not even harm your fish. You will only end up harming your fish more than help them. I'd still recommend cutting back on feeding and doing more water changes and vacuuming in the next few days.
 
Lupin;3300414; said:
I don't recommend using salt just to get rid of the creatures that do not even harm your fish. You will only end up harming your fish more than help them. I'd still recommend cutting back on feeding and doing more water changes and vacuuming in the next few days.
Click to expand...


lupin knows his stuff.. his advice is worth listening to...


and your corys wont like the salt.. neither will your plants...
 
I guess I'll be really aggressive for the next few days in my gravel vacs and water changes. I will also be very strict on not over feeding my fish. This way hopefully I will have rid my tank of these worms in time to replant my tank at the end of next week.

Are the blackish leeches harmful/blood suckers? I would rather not be putting my hand in the gravel with them lurking in there even if they arent harmful to me or my fish.

Also, I should mention, that a few weeks ago I did find some of those reddish worms that were like easily 5 inches long. Would this be different than the one in the picture and still harmless?
 
Day 1: Water change and gravel vac. Found 5-6 pretty decent sized worms.
Day 2: No water change/vac, but did skip feeding.
Day 3: Water change and gravel vac. Found 1 smaller black worm (leech).
 
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