Black Worms

[Cichlid-Man]

I've just noticed tons and tons of small black worms in my tank. No idea what they are or if they are harmful? Sorry don't have a picture they are just to small.

They don't move very fast and the only thing i can relate them to is the size and color of an eyelash. They are very leech like. Anyone know anything about these?

Very broad i know, shot in the dark really....just curious.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Hard to get a picture of them, but here are a few. Possible type of flatworm? Harmless?

 

[1979camaro]

I will look in a couple of my books...see if I can find anything.

 

[ram man]

I havnt seen any hitchhicker like that. My quess would be a flat worm of some kind.

 

[1979camaro]

Hey Matt...I looked in three books...nothing looking similar. Structurally, they do not really look like flatworms to me but I suppose anything is possible. Personally, I wouldn't worry about them; there is likely nothing you could do to actually get rid of them anyway given their size and numbers. The population will probably die back given time (either due to predation or the population simply outgrowing the carrying capacity of your tank). Sorry I couldn't find more.

- Kevin

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Thanks for looking. I'll just keep an eye on them.

 

[Lotus]

There are a whole bunch of worm pics here: Worm Hitch Hikers

 

[iplaydafoozball]

ur probably ok but the first thing i thought when i saw them was nematode. there are many kinds and some can be parasitic. but then again, they don't get bigger than 5 mm. i'd keep an eye on everyone in the tank. maybe some type of fish would find them tasty?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

ur probably ok but the first thing i thought when i saw them was nematode. there are many kinds and some can be parasitic. but then again, they don't get bigger than 5 mm. i'd keep an eye on everyone in the tank. maybe some type of fish would find them tasty?

2.5gal, not many if any fish suitable. =/

 

[CoolWaters]

yeah looks like flat worms.
u can always take them out and just pick them out. hope they dont multiply very fast.

that last pic made them look like seahorses. lol

 

[ram man]

They look like ribbon worms to me now.