What Is This Worm In My Aquarium?

[clk89]

In my ten gallon shrimp and snails tank I noticed these worms, there is about four of them so far. They are about the size of my pinky, maybe a bit longer when all the way stretched out. They are pinkish in color, kind of remind me of an earthworm looks wise but they seem to be able to stick with one end of their body. I was wondering what they are and if they would cause harm to my snails and shrimp? Also if they are harmful how do I go about getting rid of them?

These are the pictures I was able to get of one of them:

 

[DoubleDutch]

earthworm?

 

[Nanologist]

earthworm?

Yeah, looks like a standard earthworm.

 

[yukondog]

Leach?, just reach and get them, and if they are leaches and attach there selves to you just pore salt on them and they will fall off and die.
Did you put anything new in your tank from the wild? When they move do they attach there front end and then pull the rear forward and then do it again to move?

 

[clk89]

@yukondog I haven't put anything new in the tank in a long time, and nothing from the wild. He/she does attach with it's rear to move. I suppose I could turkey baster it. Leeches is probably the one thing I can't stand to touch as a bug lover lol.

I've never seen an earth worm move like this does.

 

[Nanologist]

@yukondog I haven't put anything new in the tank in a long time, and nothing from the wild. He/she does attach with it's rear to move. I suppose I could turkey baster it. Leeches is probably the one thing I can't stand to touch as a bug lover lol.

I've never seen an earth worm move like this does.

Have you seen an earthworm under water before?

 

[clk89]

Have you seen an earthworm under water before?

Yes I have, they wiggle about, but I don't recall seeing them actually stick with one end to move.

 

[smee82]

It looks almost like giant planaria. Take it out and see.if it can survive out of water

 

[VioletSS]

My first thought was leech.

 

[Nanologist]

My first thought was leech.

Could be but I've had literally dozens of freshwater leeches on me in my lifetime and never have seen one like this.

I used to install docks in rivers and lakes all over the US and it was just part of the job.

Nothing like a hard day of work followed by burning leeches off your body before a shower...

 

[Nanologist]

Take it out and see.if it can survive out of water

I agree, taking it out and seeing how it behaves will be your best bet at figuring out what it is.

 

[clk89]

I'm going to try to take one out alive, but just thinking about leeches gives me the shivers. I use to swim in lakes as a kid and I always hated the leeches.

 

[sfsamm]

I'm going to try to take one out alive, but just thinking about leeches gives me the shivers. I use to swim in lakes as a kid and I always hated the leeches.

No idea what it is myself but the thought of getting leaches in one of my tanks.... Lord I'd probably dolly them right out into the desert sun fish and all... I'm not grossed out by much and never seen a leach but the thought of them. Nope nope nope. Would like to know for future reference for myself though.

 

[clk89]

As an update I did manged to get them out of the tank. I also took a video of one moving around. It is very leech like, so this is your warning very creepy those who don't like leeches. Any other ideals what this could be?

 

[Nanologist]

As an update I did manged to get them out of the tank. I also took a video of one moving around. It is very leech like, so this is your warning very creepy those who don't like leeches. Any other ideals what this could be?

That video helps a lot. Definitely a leech! You can see the rounded "sucker" mouth on one end. After seeing it move it brought back so many horrible memories of removing them off myself...

 

[clk89]

@greenbonsai I want to like your post for the information, but then I also don't want to like your post because it's about leeches. That is so strange, I don't know how I even got leeches in my tank. For curiosity sake do you think they would cause harm to shrimp and/or snails?

 

[Nanologist]

@greenbonsai I want to like your post for the information, but then I also don't want to like your post because it's about leeches. That is so strange, I don't know how I even got leeches in my tank. For curiosity sake do you think they would cause harm to shrimp and/or snails?

Lol, I totally understand not wanting to "like" that post.

Not sure if it could kill one but given the chance it would definitely latch on and start feeding. If anything it would lower their immune system and they wouldn't fair well.

 

[BReefer97]

Ahh! Leeches in a tank?! Has me questioning if I want to move forehead with this hobby! Hahah just kidding.

I would definitely do a thorough tank clean to get those out of there. They're going to get hungry and they're going to start feeding off of your fishes. They can also pass on disease and parasites to your fish.