Help!! Sperm-like worms

**skyluck2001** · 10th Apr 2009, 17:21

Recently spotted these white coloured worms that look like sperm, with a large pointed head 2~3mm and a tail approx. 1cm long. It even swims and wriggles like sperm.

What are these and how to get rid of them? My endlers wouldn't eat them. I have never had these worms until I introduced shrimps into the tank.

I have seen pictures of planarias posted in AQ so I know these worms in my tank aren't planarias.

Many Thanks.

**barmby** · 15th Apr 2009, 16:52

Maybe this is a result of overfeeding. What else you have in the tank other than endlers and shrimps ? You may add some corydoras.

**khtee** · 15th Apr 2009, 22:51

did you feed FW? If you did, most likely is the midge fries. Do a google for this insect.

Originally Posted by Mez

Can i ask what is FW?

FW == Frozen Worms

**wllm33** · 16th Apr 2009, 01:02

these worms usually come around when the water is "dirty" either with pollution from uneaten food or delay wc.

i have seen them on and off. You especially get them more when you have messy eaters like flowerhorns for the above reasons.

I noticed they irritate the fish usually. Otherwise harmless except for the water quality.

Best way I know how is to get your fishes out of the tank and put enough pp wash inside for a day. You can literally see them dying off when contact with pp within 5 minutes if it is concentrated enough. Most rewarding way of getting rid of them.
Hope this helps.

**skyluck2001** · 16th Apr 2009, 09:41

Thanks for all the replies.

I've gotten some corys and so far has contained the problem. I've also reduced feeding my endlers and shrimps to once every two days.

No, I do not feed fresh worms.

Hope my problem goes away.

**barmby** · 16th Apr 2009, 11:20

I have this problem when I overfeed and these food tablets, wafer and etc go under, hidden or beneath the driftwood.

**SGFrontosa** · 22nd Apr 2009, 19:18

Recently I have the same problem in my sump tank too.
Was recommended to use tiger barb to solve the problem.
It works.

**derekchia** · 22nd Apr 2009, 20:52

Originally Posted by SGFrontosa

Recently I have the same problem in my sump tank too.
Was recommended to use tiger barb to solve the problem.
It works.

Normal pleco will do the job.
Last time when I have this problem, I will simply throw in 2pcs of pleco into the troubled tank. Normally the worms will be gone in few days.
Tiger barbs will also do the job but have to consisder the safety of existing faunas as they are tail/fins nibbing experts.

**SGFrontosa** · 23rd Apr 2009, 02:53

Originally Posted by derekchia

Normal pleco will do the job.
Last time when I have this problem, I will simply throw in 2pcs of pleco into the troubled tank. Normally the worms will be gone in few days.
Tiger barbs will also do the job but have to consisder the safety of existing faunas as they are tail/fins nibbing experts.

Oh yes, mine was in the sump tank so tiger barb was ok.
If within the tank, better watch out, as you said they are nibbing experts.