Darlene

I woke up this morning, turned on the light in Neptune's tank and there are a bunch of these little white worms...at least that is what I'm guessing they are. They look like little white hairs, but wiggle. Neptune has been chasing them and eating them. Are they a type of planaria? Or should I be worried? Thanks

sirdarksol

Likely planaria. They aren't harmful, but they are an indication that there is too much food going into the system.
I'd "fast" Neptune (he's not really going to be fasting, cuz' he'll be eating planaria) for a couple of days, and then make sure you're feeding him less when you start feeding him again.
A water change and gravel vac should help things, too.

Darlene

Thank you! I have been only giving him one pellet at a time until he eats it, but before he was in that tank it had baby mollies, so maybe I over fed them I will cut back on feeding him also though until they are gone. Thanks again.

steveangela1

That was exactly what I did when my little betta tank got planiara, I didn't feed him for 3 days, and then at the end of that, I vaccumed the tank out really good. Now I only feed him one bite at time, so I can see how much he will eat, when he is done he doesn't get extras.

He must have had a feild day eating those worms, I watched him swimming all over the tank bitting at the glass and rocks.

Chief_waterchanger

Just imagine that if a fish's stomach is the size of its eyeball just how small of an amount of food the planaria would need to multiply..

The dusty microscopic amounts of food that may come out of the fish' mouth when he/she bites down could easily feed the planaria. That's why Angela's method is quite effective.

Good advice all the way around guys and gals.

beyzagorkemli

how often we should give bettas live food

Chief_waterchanger

You could do that every 3 or 4 days if you want a good variety of foods.

You could alternate between tropical flake, veggie flake, pellet, and live foods.

Darlene

Thanks everyone. I will let him fast for a couple of days and have done a water change and gravel vac also.

Butterfly

Also remember what goes in (food) does come out in relative ratio.(I know eeewww) This will also cause the planaria to multiply. Good gravel vacs will keep the planaria in control.
Carol

Darlene

Thanks Carol. I will keep that in mind too. There are a lot less planaria this after noon than what was in there this morning. Neptune has been busy

Tazmiche

I too am having a bad time with planaria. My boy only gets what i see him eat so i am worried about the critters in the tank!! I had a betta in it before BUT i did a deep clean before this guy!!!

Chief_waterchanger

Hehe... kinda gross, but as Carol said.. fecal matter can be consumed by the planaria to reproduce. Just feed less or less often and the betta will get added protein by eatting the planaria.

Tazmiche

MR CW i have TINY worms on my tank glass, like VERY tiny grains of rice!!!! only in one betta tank, i change water 2x a week not always big changes, 25% at LEAST( off subject i have hiccups!!!! Driving me mad!!!!)any advice?

jdhef

Hold your breath.

Chief_waterchanger

Tazmiche

hahahahahahhaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mr CW interesting advice!!!!

and the worms??

beyzagorkemli

Thanks, what about garlic? should I give? and how often?

Tazmiche

mine get garlic 3 times a week!