Worms

[wildbill5150]

For the past couple months these white "critters" have appeared in my small (2 gallon) shrimp tank. Can someone identify them and let me know if they are harmful to my shrimp and catfish?

Thanks,

Bill

[Bru]

It looks like you have planaria, I just see it as a healthy little ecosystem and snacks for the fish to munch on. ^^

[Mmiller2001]

Some type of flat worm, but I don't think it's planaria.

This is planaria

 

[NanoNano]

I think what you might have are Rhabdocoela worms (they hitchhiked into two of my tanks on plants). Unsightly, but harmless and another creature that will work your mulm and substrate.  I haven't had any issues with them in a tank where I have breeding blue dream shrimp (other than my freaking out thinking that they were planaria or snail leeches of some sort).   When they first appeared they would cruise over the tank glass and decor in bright light with no shame- now that they're established they're 99% nocturnal.

Edit- I should mention that my Rhabdo worms tend to move at fairly constant speed, in fairly straight lines, and adhere to surfaces.  The Planaria that I've seen seem to almost float over surfaces, move with a lot of stopping and starting,  and frequently change direction as if they're hunting for things.

Edited May 30, 2021 by NanoNano

[wildbill5150]

Thank you for the information. Just wanted ot be sure they weren't harmful

[Guppysnail]

I agree w @NanoNano. Rhabdo Harmless natural part of the ecosystem.  Whenever mine brave the glass my CPD snatch them right off the glass. Whenever my Bnose Plecos find them you can tell they wiggle like excited children