Tiny Hairlike Worms?

[kntrygrl4lyfe]

I have noticed some little white hairlike worms in my tank, they are not even a quarter inch, and i'll see them squerm around or just on the bottem or sometimes on the sides... I tried to take a few pics but its hard to even see them, are they harmful to my fish?

[DaisyTattoo]

No, they shouldnt bother your fish, but this is a symptom of not enough water changes or too much feeding. So make sure that you are feeding your fish only as much as they can eat in a few minutes and that you are doing water changes at least weekly.

[liv2padl]

they maybe nematodes. There are approximately 10,000 to 10,000,000 species in the Phylum Nematoda. Free-living (ie without a 'host') forms can reach sizes between 1mm to 2 cm (0.04"- 0.8"). Nematodes that live in the aquarium usually reside in the gravel, but when disturbed they swim in a snake like manner. Much like that of a sea snake. They can be easily seen in a bucket after cleaning the gravel.

There are three types of nematodes: parasitic, scavengers and herbivores. The vast majority of nematodes are parasitic. All three are able to live within the aquarium; however the scavengers are usually the most common.

Not all nematodes are a menace in the aquarium, the scavenger nematodes can help break down the organic waste in the aquarium. If you are treating your fish tank for nematodes, make sure you know that they are parasitic, as the medications you use will kill the beneficial worms as well.

Nematodes can be introduced to the aquarium in egg or adult form. Eggs can be present in almost anything that you add to your aquarium; feeders, live plants, driftwood etc. Adult worms are more likely to be introduced by live plants and in the water accompanying your feeder fish.

Populations of nematodes can be reduced or elimated by reduced feedings and increased water changes and gravel vacuuming.

[kntrygrl4lyfe]

thanks alot! it was scaring me b/c ive never had them before, thanks again for easing my worry

[plah831]

liv2padl,
I like your "canned" nematode shpiel. :D I saw it on another thread today. Is that what happens when you've been here that long, you just have stored documents of your old speeches? :)

I can't wait to get to that stage. Maybe I'll start writing one now about why variety is better for fish nutrition...

[FishBliss]

How do you tell the difference between the types of nematodes? When I vacuum the gravel I suck up thousands of these things. They seem to live in the filter and in the gravel -- I don't seem to see them hanging on the fish, but they are very hard to see so maybe they are there....I would like to make them go away. Any suggestions?

[plah831]

FishBliss, the ones that you see in the aquarium are most likely not the parasitic kind. The parasitic ones would be mostly in the fish's bodies. Occasionally you'll see them hanging out the fish's anus (graphic, sorry) or a few on the gravel if they somehow got expelled.

To reduce their numbers, it's the same for treating any unwanted "hitchhikers" in the aquarium. Reduce feedings, and increase water changes and gravel vacuuming. The first two help decrease the amount of excess nutrients on which the nematodes, planaria, hydra, snails, etc. thrive. The last one physically removes a lot of the nematodes. Keep in mind, you'll have to stay on this cleaning schedule for at least a couple weeks, as it will take some time for the little buggers to starve.

[FishBliss]

thanks for the information. I will definitely step up the vacuuming. I only feed them once a day as it is. I've had these squirmy things for a long time now in varying numbers -- for a couple of years. I wasn't too worried because the fish didn't seem worried, although I did wonder why a fin would look ragged from time to time (a white cyst would develop mid-fin and then soon it would have a hole and then a tear -- but it wasn't often) I figured it was these little wormy things -- do you think it is? For years, when I described my worms, no one ever said the word nematode. They listed all the 'regular' parasite things but shook their heads when I described these. I was so glad when I finally found a conversation about them! So, is there any way the nematodes harm my fish? Is it possible to have harmless ones and harmful ones simultaneously? The reason I ask is that two of my fish seem to be un-well. They hang nose down, or belly up, or sit on the bottom -- sometimes they are upside down AND on the bottom. All the things I read say that this behavior could be bacterial or from internal parasites. I don't see any other 'buggies' The water is in good condition, except for the little squirmies in the gravel. I've medicated them with antibiotics, tried all the swimbladder remedies...So, I'm thinking it isn't bacterial (because I medicated them) but it still could be parasitic...Any ideas?

[plah831]

eek, it sounds like you might have a lot going on. Perhaps you should start a new thread about it, as you will get much better responses than tacking it onto another thread.

For now, what is your regular water changing schedule? It should be AT LEAST 25% every week. I personally do a minimum of 50% weekly on all my tanks. That will help tremendously as it will reduce the amount of wastes built up in a tank, thereby allowing the fish a better chance of fighting off any infections.

Do you know your tank's ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels? If not, you should really think of purchasing a liquid test kit. They are much preferable to the strip/dip tests because of greater accuracy. The test results will tell you if anything is out of whack, and also when to do a water change.

Also be aware that all those medications will also harm your fish if their immune systems are battling all kinds of stuff. I definitely suggest clean water FIRST, before adding any chemicals or meds.

As for the parasites, or cysts, I can't really help there. I've never had to deal with those myself. I find the clean water method the best medicine, but it is mostly preventative.