My sister gets feeder fish for her fish and has noticed now that there are ver small white (they may be red) worm things in her tank. Appear to be swimming freely. She didnt notice until she was cleaning the outside of her tank. Any ideas on what they are and how to get rid of them?
2007-03-08 12:29:15 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
I would have to say insect larvae. Some type of small flying insect such as a gnat. Smaller fish will eat them and the filter will suck up plenty as well. A few good sized water changes should take care of the rest. If they are large enough or you have a fine enough net, you could probbaly scoop some out.
MM
2007-03-08 12:44:39 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
These are most likely the larvae of a small fly (a midge). Has she ever noticed small (~1/4 inch or less) dead flies on the top of the water? These lay the eggs on the water's surface or in the filter. I've had them show up in a number of my tanks.
You almost have to remove these by netting them. Some fish will eat them. I'll try to find a photo to post - you can ask her if they are what she found in her tank.
PHOTO: http://www.wetlandcare.com.au/images/research/larvae.jpg - this is what they would look like - only about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. You can tell they aren't worms because they have a head (at left in photo) if you look at them under a microscope. These swim in a kind of "S" shaped wiggling motion.
2007-03-08 12:47:36 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it particularly is a parasite that one in each of your different fish could have had (and nonetheless have). it may even have come from the meals you feed them in case you feed them stay meals. examine the contents if so, toss it away in case you spot something suspicious. in case you have presented new fish to the tank your quarantine could have not been long sufficient. Small spots on the fish must be the larvae of parasitic worms. be sure you purchase your fish at respected puppy shops, no longer the decrease fee places on account that their inventory tend to fall ill from the lack of ability of stable therapy. examine the gravel for any signs and warning signs of pests, and your filters too - they are able to be a breeding floor for those pests. replace all floss and upload new charcoal just to be secure. in case you do spot any worms take a %and convey it to the puppy save with you, they're going to provide help to be attentive to what meds to put in the water to get rid of them. As on your barb, he could be ok, do no longer complication.
2016-11-23 16:18:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nematodes, virtually harmless. You shouldn't use feeder fish for two reasons:
1) they have very little nutritional value
2) they carry all sorts of parasites and bacteria
2007-03-09 01:28:30 · answer #4 · answered by bzzflygirl 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your fish have parasites. get a medication for paracites.
remember to take carbon out of your filter while treating. feed only half as much.
2007-03-08 15:12:22 · answer #5 · answered by robrr03 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋