Thread like swimming worm

[aarhud]

Hello,

I seen a very small worm in my planted shrimp tank. The worm was about the diameter of a human hair or slightly thicker and swam in a controlled way in a snake-like fashion. Any idea what it is? I could not get a picture of it because it was so small.

 

[gerald]

Those might be Nais or a related worm in the Naididae family. They can crawl like earthworms (extend & contract) or swim like eels. The shorter worms that glide along like slugs are usually Aeolosoma, also in the Naididae family, but there's also some "micro-Turbellarian" flatworms (related to Planaria) that look similar and often found in aquariums.

 

[aarhud]

Looks like thats what it is. Amazing how so many water critters just appear. Thanks.

 

[Mike Wise]

These worms are harmless to the fish.

 

[Joe Gatchell]

My baby guppies eat these. Nom nom nom.

 

[wethumbs]

They are not parasitic. However, it can be a nuisance to fish. I once had a female Pelvicachromis taeniatus "Wouri" got the worms stuck in her gills. She was obviously distressed and couldn't dislodge the worms. I had to use medication to help 'melted' the worms away. Smaller fish would actually eat them as I managed to culture them in decent quantity.

 

[aarhud]

Interesting. The worms are in a shrimp only tank, so no concerns for fish. The tank is close by the computer so I look at it a lot. I'm noticing all sorts of critters. I have some kind of "snail" that appears to be a clear blob with a brown center.

How did you culture the worms out of curiosity?

 

[wethumbs]

I simply look under the microscope to see what was in their digestive tract. I even got video of the worm doing its 'business'. It turned out that they consume decay plant matters. The rest was easy after that.

 

[Dano1311]

i have heard these worms appear and thrive more when you over feed, is this true?