Threadlike worms? (NOT planaria)

[Korzak]

Hello!

So there are these tiny worms in my tank. They are extremely thin, as thin as a hair or as thread, and range in length from 1/8" to 1/4" long. Sometimes they slither on the glass or the sand, and sometimes they float through the water. Then they float, every now and then they will wriggle about, then float still again.

They are definitely not planaria, because I have some of those, too, and they are different. I do not think they are mosquito larvae, either, because they are too thin and have no head.

Can anyone help me identify these things? I hate them, and would love to get rid of them.

Thanks!

[jackqaz]

They are thread-worms. Fishes can eat them, then you can remove the fishes when they are wipe out.. I won't recommend chemicals though, fishes can eat a few shrimplets, depending on their size. But a chemical attack could potentially kill all the shrimps.

[Orange-Eyed]

I always thought thread worms were pretty harmless...? more harmless than the planaria, anyway.

[TitoC]

be careful young shrimp jedi. Don't let the hate pull you to the dark side of aquarium keeping.
If the worms are in a shrimp tank, which I guess they are, think twice before trying any eradication.
- they are probably thriving on the feed you give for the shrimp. reducing this might be a good idea, or reduce the performance of your shrimp.
in fact they might be performing a usefull task..
- any chemical treatment could kill your shrimp too. Even shrimp-safe products like flubenol can still result in the death of your shrimp by rotting worms producing ammonia.
- any biological treament might also hunt your shrimplets.
- even if you ever kill all of them in your tank, they might be back. Eggs of nematodes and the like can be very resistant. Also they might be living in any of your other tanks too, or could come back if you shop at the same place where you got them in the first place (might be your back yard too).

Trapping them with a lure in shrimp-proof box might be the most durable solution, although it is time consuming and might never eliminate them. If you hate snails less, you could look for a carnivorous species to deal with the worms.

Or use the force to be at peace with them.

Good luck

PS. a picture would be nice, if you can take it.

[retardo]

You have nematodes. They are harmless. I'd get some fish and let the fish eat them or just leave them alone. Just don't overfeed and you won't have an infestation on your hands.

[jetset]

Are these the same as Vinegar Eels?

I have some in my tank and was thinking of culturing them to feed to fish fry in other tanks.