white worms

[boobiebutt]

I did a search and I tried a few of the solutions but these small worms keep coming back.

I recently purchased some stuff and received some live plants from a member of AC(will remain anonymous) and I thought it would be better to QT them before I placed them in my tank. I currently keep the small amount of moss and baby java fern in a 1/4 gallon container with a small desk lamp on it to 'grow out' a little before I place them in my betta tanks.

I noticed dust like material at the bottom of the container before I turned off the light to sleep and ignored it for the time being thinking it was just dust and planned to do a water change the next morning. In the morning I noticed small white worm like creatures crawling on my glass.

While looking up some information on these white worms on the forum I stumbled over this, and I assume that they are not nematodes because they did not move in an 'S' pattern but more like a crawling motion.

Just for reference.
Planaria crawl on surfaces, nematodes wiggle in the water column: the "S" pattern webcricket describes.

I then proceeded to look up planaria and found causes for it like over feeding, unclean water, etc. The plants are by themselves in a 1/4 gallon container which I change out water once a week. I'm not sure the cause of it and I attempted the bleech solution dip, 1 part bleech 9 parts water rather then the 1/19 solution suggested here (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180321&highlight=white+worm).

After the solution dip, I put each moss (creeping and java) and the baby java ferns in seperate containers and no worms came back for about 2 weeks. But today, about 6-7 days after my last water change, I noticed worms on the wall again!

What are the causes for these worms to be forming in my tank with just plants?
How do I stop them from forming?
Are there any other ways to get rid of these white worm pests?

Also this peeked my curiousity.

Funny thing I got these white worms in my 29gal tank now...just noticed them today...I think I am gonna dose some salt tomorrow...not too many but I saw a few floating around and a few on the glass...by the way...does anyone know if these worms are harmful to us humans? Will they get in our skin etc??

Is it harmful to humans? And can they get in our skin? No one answered his/her post.

And sorry for the lengthly post. Thanks for all suggestions/replies.

EDIT: I hope this video works correctly. I uploaded a video of the worms.
http://www.facebook.com/v/1083957575424

 

[mel_20_20]

Hi! :headshake2:I don't know the answer but I found one of those in my tank, too. I will be watching for posts here. Someone will come along with answers for us.

 

[shawnhu]

Those worms are most likely the ones that are not harmful, non parasidic. They are naturally in the water. I have a tank with nothing but plants in it, and I does with ammonia to keep the cycle going. The worms are growing by the day, with no source of "overfeeding". They consume ammonia apprently. Guppies and other small fish will make a quick snack out of them, and you'll be good to go.

 

[Star_Rider]

probably not parasitic.. since parasites rely on a host.

not sure of the species of worm tho. does not appear to be planaria.

 

[Zaffy]

Those worms are most likely the ones that are not harmful, non parasidic. They are naturally in the water. I have a tank with nothing but plants in it, and I does with ammonia to keep the cycle going. The worms are growing by the day, with no source of "overfeeding". They consume ammonia apprently. Guppies and other small fish will make a quick snack out of them, and you'll be good to go.

They do not consume ammonia.

 

[Booyaababe]

yea, what shawnhu said..i've heard in the past that guppies will eat them..I had the buggers in my 10 gallon when i first set it up with live plants...i did several water changes and hooked up a filter to it and they finally dissapeared..