New to the forum, what is this worm

[Allan]

Hi everyone,

I was enjoying my tank today when I noticed these hair like worms swimming around.  Two of them, I tried to get a video.  I'd say they were 1-2" long. The tank is 10 gallon, stocked with plants, 2 snails and less than 10 shrimp.

 

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMFJKDU8zPPr5oMLaOshQs0b5x4trf2YDqhfEE1PyhfVYiIeQ-l1I00gIeHTZ8v4A/photo/AF1QipNilO7nX9At0PZ5Eebt3PoQPtJorAPbB7Y3U_07?key=UC1GZlRvdlRRMUZ3bnNTbFBaYVBHWlctU0xBMFd3

[Zac]

Some sort of parasite more than likely. I would try to get rid of it. You have to be careful though if you want to treat the tank because meds with copper will kill off your snails and shrimp. API General Cure is a good anti-parasitic medicine that’s safe for use with invertebrates.

[Guppysnail]

It’s a bit hard to see but it looks like a detritus worm. Harmless and a natural part of aquariums. Fish eat them but in a shrimp and snail tank there are no predators so they get more plentiful and a bit longer than in a tank with fish. Vacuuming up excess food and waste that is their food source will help control the numbers. When I had a shrimp and snail only tank I eventually added some Celestial pearl danios to help control the microfauna. They did not bother the adult shrimp and the babies were hidden enough they never consumed enough of them to slow my population growth. 

[Jennifer V]

On 11/11/2021 at 3:38 AM, Guppysnail said:

It’s a bit hard to see but it looks like a detritus worm. Harmless and a natural part of aquariums. Fish eat them but in a shrimp and snail tank there are no predators so they get more plentiful and a bit longer than in a tank with fish. Vacuuming up excess food and waste that is their food source will help control the numbers. When I had a shrimp and snail only tank I eventually added some Celestial pearl danios to help control the microfauna. They did not bother the adult shrimp and the babies were hidden enough they never consumed enough of them to slow my population growth. 

Could I add CDPs to my five gallon tank when I get the parameters right to control the detritus worm situation I have? 

[Atitagain]

@Allan welcome to the forum.

[Flumpweesel]

On 11/11/2021 at 10:57 AM, Jennifer V said:

Could I add CDPs to my five gallon tank when I get the parameters right to control the detritus worm situation I have? 

I would think so. ( not crazy numbers mind)

[Jennifer V]

On 11/11/2021 at 6:55 AM, Flumpweesel said:

I would think so. ( not crazy numbers mind)

I read they need to be kept in groups of at least 5. Is that too many for such a small tank? 

[Guppysnail]

As long as it is a standard 5 not a tall shape then yes. I actually started with 1m2 f in the shrimp and snail tank. If you have live plants 3 is fine 5 if you intended to have other fish they feel safer. 

[Allan]

On 11/11/2021 at 6:03 AM, Atitagain said:

@Allan welcome to the forum.

Thanks!

[Allan]

I have 2 pregnant guppies in my main tank.  I moved them in with the shrimps and snails hoping they, or their fry will eventually eat the worms.

[Griznatch]

 The fry will hunt those worm down with a vengeance. The adults will if the worms start swimming out in the open, but I've watched guppy fry systematically cruise the bottom looking for them.  Overfeeding typically causes the worms to go into overdrive, it also makes fish fat and happy, and less likely to hunt down the worms 🙂

[md363]

@Allan welcome!  🙂