Worms

[Caveden]

Damn I managed to keep my tank free of the planaria worms or something for an entire year. Now I see them crawling around the glass walls of my tank everywhere. I hate the look of it. I know they’re harmless and not feeding will make them disappear. But would they all just die if I don’t feed for a week? Or would they still be there ???

 

[Midwater]

I treat each tank with levamisole every so often. Seems to get rid of all sorts of nasty stuff.

 

[Rocksor]

The best fix is to reduce feeding of your fish. Detritus worms thrive in tanks that don't get enough water changes to get rid of the excess food and poop in the water column. It can take a 3-4 weeks for the issue to resolve it self. Cut back feeding by a large amount, and feed only twice a week.

 

[Caveden]

The best fix is to reduce feeding of your fish. Detritus worms thrive in tanks that don't get enough water changes to get rid of the excess food and poop in the water column. It can take a 3-4 weeks for the issue to resolve it self. Cut back feeding by a large amount, and feed only twice a week.

I will not feed for a week. My fish are large and can survive months without feeding. I would want the issue to resolve faster.

 

[esoxlucius]

I will not feed for a week. My fish are large and can survive months without feeding. I would want the issue to resolve faster.

Take your own comment, "my fish are large and can survive months without feeding", and then ask yourself why planaria, a result of overfeeding, should even be an issue in the first place.

You simply need to be a little stricter with those puppy dog eyed, glass surfing con merchants, lol. We all have fish like that, lol.

Thankfully planaria clear up as quick as they appear. It's solely up to you to keep it that way.

 

[Rocksor]

I will not feed for a week. My fish are large and can survive months without feeding. I would want the issue to resolve faster.

So you want a chemical solution?

 

[Caveden]

Take your own comment, "my fish are large and can survive months without feeding", and then ask yourself why planaria, a result of overfeeding, should even be an issue in the first place.

You simply need to be a little stricter with those puppy dog eyed, glass surfing con merchants, lol. We all have fish like that, lol.

Thankfully planaria clear up as quick as they appear. It's solely up to you to keep it that way.

True. Usually feed them 3x a week. However this and last week I fed them almost everyday. Whenever I walk past my tank my datnoid will be swimming up and down looking at me for food, I couldn’t resist lol

So you want a chemical solution?

dont really want to ruin the water chemistry in my tank. I’ll try everyone’s advice of not feeding first… sigh

 

[jjohnwm]

Isn't your tank a bare bottom, no substrate?

If yes...jam a razor blade into an angled notch at the end of a piece of rigid tubing that can be attached to the end of a siphon hose. Gently scrape all the interior glass surfaces with this while siphoning. It dislodges the planaria and vacuums them right up.

And stop being manipulated by your fish. You are not doing them any favors by overfeeding; planaria will be the least of your problems if you feed large predatory fish every time you walk by.

 

[Caveden]

Isn't your tank a bare bottom, no substrate?

If yes...jam a razor blade into an angled notch at the end of a piece of rigid tubing that can be attached to the end of a siphon hose. Gently scrape all the interior glass surfaces with this while siphoning. It dislodges the planaria and vacuums them right up.

And stop being manipulated by your fish. You are not doing them any favors by overfeeding; planaria will be the least of your problems if you feed large predatory fish every time you walk by.

Will try. Does water changes help as well?

 

[jjohnwm]

They're looking for organic detritus to eat; so, yeah, water changes that include siphoning that stuff up will help.

There's no magic answer; it's just simple routine maintenance.