Small Worms??

[Jason Tsangaris]

Hi,

I have a friend who claims he now has "small worms" in his tank. What he
initially had was a convict and texas cichlid, who mated and laid eggs.
The fry hatched, but due to neglect, most of the fry were eaten within a
couple of weeks.

Now, he has seen the tank and claims there are very small worms in it. Can
someone tell me about these worms and where I can find more info on them on
the net.

Thanks,

Viper

[Jim Anderson]

In article 1>,
says...
> Hi,
>
> I have a friend who claims he now has "small worms" in his tank. What he
> initially had was a convict and texas cichlid, who mated and laid eggs.
> The fry hatched, but due to neglect, most of the fry were eaten within a
> couple of weeks.
>
> Now, he has seen the tank and claims there are very small worms in it. Can
> someone tell me about these worms and where I can find more info on them on
> the net.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Viper
>

Probably Hydra, a type of freshwater coelenterate related to marine
anemones. They are usually found in ponds, but are sometimes introduced
with plants or livefoods. Hydra are predators and usually feed upon
small zooplankton like Daphnia. Their bodies and tentacles are equipped
with tiny harpoon-like stinging cells called nematocysts with which they
spear passers-bys get paralyzed by the venom. They rarely do large
fishes any harm, but can sting and catch very small ones. They tend to
thrive in dirty tanks.

Blue and Pearl Gourami eat Hydra. Hydra are also copper sensitive, so
treating with copper will kill them.

--
Jim Anderson
( 8(|) To email me just pull my_finger

[Johnny]

If these 'worms' are on the glass and very thin and white, then
its prabably planaria. These occur when there is food source available
for them in the water.

[js1]

On 2005-04-14, Johnny > wrote:
>
> If these 'worms' are on the glass and very thin and white, then
> its prabably planaria. These occur when there is food source available
> for them in the water.

Small white worms could also be microworms. Planaria are wiggly, while
microworms will crawl on the glass. Both are good food for fish.


--
"I have to decide between two equally frightening options.
If I wanted to do that, I'd vote." --Duckman

[Billy]

"js1" > wrote in message
...
> On 2005-04-14, Johnny > wrote:
>>
>> If these 'worms' are on the glass and very thin and white, then
>> its prabably planaria. These occur when there is food source
>> available
>> for them in the water.
>
> Small white worms could also be microworms. Planaria are wiggly,
> while
> microworms will crawl on the glass. Both are good food for fish.
>


Yep, and pretty much harmless. If they're that visible, it is usually
an indication of overfeeding.

billy

[Geezer From The Freezer]

js1 wrote:
>
> On 2005-04-14, Johnny > wrote:
> >
> > If these 'worms' are on the glass and very thin and white, then
> > its prabably planaria. These occur when there is food source available
> > for them in the water.
>
> Small white worms could also be microworms. Planaria are wiggly, while
> microworms will crawl on the glass. Both are good food for fish.
>
> --
> "I have to decide between two equally frightening options.
> If I wanted to do that, I'd vote." --Duckman

Planaria swim freely and crawl on the glass.