Hmmm...they are eating them...

mudwoman

mudwoman

Large Fish
#1
Nov 14, 2003
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#1
Hi all,

It's been quite a while since I've visited! Does anyone have any good nematode experience?

I just did a big water change in my 5.5 gallon planted tank and stirred up the gravel pretty significantly in the process. When I poured in my new, clean water, I was enjoying watching the fish frolic around when I noticed small clearish/whitish squirmy wormies about 5mm long twisting around in the current from the filter and my water-pouring. Not just one or two. LOTS of them. They look like nematodes of some sort to me. I know some are parasitic and plenty of kinds are not and I have no hope of being able to identify them positively.

My betta was happily chasing them down and eating them. The pygmy cories who share the tank were swimming around the tank in an active/agitated manner but I didn't see them eat any of them. Should I assume the betta knows what he's doing and they aren't a problem? (Just tasty!)

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

-Maggie

PS. Yep, I'm washing my hands REALLY thoroughly after tending the fish from now on. My brother caught pinworms from our cat when we were little. :)
 

mudwoman

mudwoman

Large Fish
#3
Nov 14, 2003
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Thanks for the response!

Do you mean planaria? I know those are the flattened ones and have a noticeable head. I've had them crawling around on the glass before. :)

These are like tiny spaghetti, clearish, and I can't really tell which is the head-end. They were very active, twisting around in the water column. Does that sound like what you were thinking of? Other thoughts?

I feel like if the betta is eating them, they probably aren't something parasitic, but then again, he's not too bright. He spend a lot of time flaring at the toothbrush I use to scrub the tank glass when I clean in there. :)
 

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