fish tank need help now quick HELP!!!!!!?

Question

i have an oscar tank that has some kind of worm in it at 1st i thought they were mosquito larva because we had been feeding them frogs from outside and we have a swamp like thing in the woods that fills every summer so i thought mosquitos came in on them but ive been trying to treat it and the worms have only gotten worse but mosquito LARVA cant breed so i know its not that plus i havent seen any mosquitos in our house they kind of look like worms that a dog could get but i dont think those can live in just water i thought they had to live in a stomache or something but i need help and i need to know what they are because whatever they are they are making the tank VERY dirty and gross smeling and the oscars dont seem to be getting sick or anything but the tank just keeps going worse with amonioa and nitrates and what not and i am able to control it some with tablets and hunk but im worried about my fish and i want to get the worms out so i need to know how to get rid of them quickly!!!

and for the first person that answered if your just going to answer with a bull shi't answer that wont help i actually love my fish and need help so i would appreciate it if your going to state the obvious and be an ***' to a person that really wants help then i would really enjoy it if you would leave the problems to the people that actually know what they are doing because obviously you have no idea what you are talking about and you are only answering for the points so why dont you delete your account you son of a *****

Answer 1

What you are most likely seeing is either midge larvae (from a small fly like animal) or planaria. Midge larvae would swim in the water in the shape of an "S" and would be very small, about the thickness of a hair. Planaria look like this:

http://www.ru.ac.za/institutes/iwr/ucewq/pix/planaria.jpg

and are also quite small, but larger than midge larvae.

Either of these animals can come in with the water from the swamp or on the frogs. Neither one will cause poor water quality, but both indicate poor water quality. That's not a big surprise with an Oscar, they are really messy fish. Also, neither of these will harm the fish at all, so that at least is one thing you don't have to worry about.

Midge larvae will eventually hatch into tiny fly like bugs and will leave the tank. Planaria will not leave the tank and feed off of waste and excess food in the gravel. Cleaning the gravel well will be the most effective way to remove them from the tank.

Instead of using chemicals to try to clear or clean the water, do water changes. Use a gravel siphon to carefully clean the gravel as you change about 40-50% or the tank water each week. This will help remove the worms as well as lower the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. You can also replace the carbon in your filter every 2 weeks to help control the odor and discoloration of the water.

Stick with this program and in a week you will see the tank become far cleaner looking and smelling. Within 3-4 weeks you will probably no longer see any worms in the tank at all.

EDIT: You can find the rest of the copyright protected information illegally copied in an answer above at this link:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=16&cat=1791&articleid=2811

MM

Answer 2

These unsightly white worms are flatworms. They're not parasitic, and won't harm your fish. They're thought to be introduced into the aquarium through food (both live and dried). When water conditions are poor, and contain high levels of nitrates and large amounts of biological matter, such as fish waste, these worms can grow and multiply.

To rid your aquarium of pesky flatworms, try removing all your fish and placing them in a temporary holding tank. Then, increase the water temperature above 95°F for several hours. If this doesn't kill the flatworms, try a water treatment that specifically targets parasites, such as CopperSafe, Clout, or Fluke Tabs.

To prevent future infestation, consider upgrading your filtration system. Undergravel filters are typically not efficient mechanical filters. Aquariums with undergravel filters usually require weekly water changes and thorough gravel vacuuming. Consider adding another filter that employs more efficient mechanical filtration. A canister filter or power filter offers an effective solution. Both are easily maintained and require that you simply change the mechanical and chemical cartridge when it becomes clogged with debris.

Most importantly, be sure to clean your aquarium regularly, control nitrate levels in the water, maintain your filter, and perform frequent water changes to prevent problems with pests like flatworms.
Some fish such as Gourami's are very fond of eating them.
Good Luck!! : )...i know i need it w/ my algae problem..lol... take care. hope this info. helps!

Answer 3

I just wanted to say, listen to MagicMan, because he's absolutely right and also, if your worms are planaria, you might be overfeeding, which can add to a planaria problem. So, watch for that as well as doing the waterchanges he advises.

Answer 4

put your fish in a new bowl with fresh water immediately or the fish will die the worms you describe i got and now i am fishless!!!:(

Answer 5

u proboly need a new fish tank there proboly worms

(gross!!!)