Brown Worm, should I worry?

[Lorazoo]

The past 2 days I have found a brown worm in my aquarium. It is small, looks like a roundworm. On one side of it, it has a sucker or something b/c it can really stick to things with that side. I found one on my glass at night and one in my filter today. Ive been looking online, but not finding anything that really matches the description. Most sites say not to worry, but then again, I don't really know what it is. I havent had any fish in there yet (moving some in today). I have had the tank a month, its planted and I just added a few cherry shrimp this week.

Any ideas?

 

[LIBPA]

was there ever any fish in the tank?

 

[Lorazoo]

no, its a new tank that i set up. I did take a piece of driftwood from an established tank. But it was bleached and baked in the sun first.

 

[LIBPA]

about how big is it, could be a little loach, any patterns on it?

 

[Lorazoo]

No, just a brown worm. One side of it sticks to whatever and the other side moves around. it can contract as small as a grain of rice, but then can lengthen to an inch long. Maybe it is just a flatworm. I do not know. Doesnt look flat to me.

 

[Dangerdoll]

sounds like planaria to me.... chances are if there's one, there's more.

 

[LIBPA]

sorry, i dont know what it is, take it out if your worried, maby bring it to a lfs so see what it is

 

[Lorazoo]

sounds like planaria to me.... chances are if there's one, there's more.

Is this something I should worry about? I got rid of both of the ones I found, but as you said there are probably more. Is there any way to get rid of them?

 

[monkey_toes]

If it's a planarian, I'll guarantee there are more in the tank. Planaria have a distinctive "head" end.
http://www.luc.edu/depts/biology/111/planaria.jpg
That's highly magnified, but you should be able to see the "head" with your unaided eye. If they are planaria, they're no big deal. If you want to get rid of them, paradise fish and bettas seem to enjoy eating them. Also check this out: http://www.aquariumcorner.com/planaria.htm

 

[Lorazoo]

They all say planaria come from excess food and waste. However, I have had no fish in the tank and haven't been feeding anything. The only things in there are snails and plants. So, I am not sure how I could feed less. I did just add some Cory cats, SAE's and a few Gouramis. I plan on adding more Gouramis. Maybe they will eat them. Hopefully it won't get too bad.