Our fish tank has white looking worms floating throughout? What are they and what can I do to save my fish?

Question

We have two Cichlids that we got 2 weeks ago and we are afraid we are going to lose them. We have never seen this stuff before .

Answer 1

These probably don't pose a threat to your fish. Very few "worm" parasites are large enough to see without a microscope.

Are these just floating in the water with sort of lethargic swimming motions, or are they actively swimming by thrashing back and forth in a "S" shape? If the first, they're probably nematodes that usually live in the substrate or on the filter media (they're most noticeable if your fish stir up the substrate, or if you've just cleaned the tank). These also lack and segmentation: http://www.olympusmicro.com/micd/galleries/moviegallery/images/pondscum/nematode.jpg . If it's the second, it's most likely the larval form of a midge (small terrestrial fly that lays it's eggs in the water - these can be white or red, and if red, that's what's sold as bloodworms). These will have noticeable segmentation (at least seen under a microscope), with a definite head, and false legs: http://www.waterbugkey.vcsu.edu/image_uploads/chironomidae-body_kgr3_39.jpg . In either case, if you have a lot of them, it can be an indication that there's a lot of organic matter building up in your substrate. You may need to do a little extra cleaning with a gravel vacuum, or pull up the filter plate if you use an undergravel filter with your fish.


ADDITION: These might be planaria as Venice said (see photo: http://www.caudata.org/cc/images/articles/critters/planaria1JOHNSON.jpg ) but these attach to the glass and substrate and move like snails. They're also broader and flatter than the species I mentioned.

Answer 2

Those are planaria worms and are harmless. They are very common in aquariums with Oscars or other big Cichlids and carnivores because most aquarium owners who keep these fish over-feed their tanks or do not clean them enough. These worms are feeding on uneaten fish food or pieces of feeder fish leftover from the sloppy feeding habits of bigger fish. So, it won't be the worms that harm your fish, but the possible poor water quality that exists that encouraged the worms to grow. Do a good water change, vacuum the gravel and try to cut back on feeding and they will go away on their own.

Answer 3

http://www.oscarfish.com they have the answers...... ive heard of these before and i had them in my tank not sure what the cause or a fix but im sure these people can tell you and from what ive heard its not bad