nor_wester Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Hi folks, White worms / almost slug like on the inside of my Oscar tank. Never seen anything like them before. I've never had snails in the tank, and have done regular tank cleans, part water changes, and treatment if required. The tank is only 60cm, but only has 2 small oscars in it. 1 albino & 1 marble. We have noticed that the marble has gone of it's food over the last few days which is really odd in regards too hows it normally feeds. Done anyone have any ideas. I could take a photo, but they are quite small so you may not see them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Join the club. Sounds like planaria or flat worms (comes in on plant or live food) Harmless as far as I know but if someone comes up with a cure I will also be keen. Can tell you that massive doses of copper only get them annoyed and eurethromycen doesn't do them any harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wok Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 Reduce the amount you feed your fish. When the fish get hungry they will feed on the Planaria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted October 31, 2006 Report Share Posted October 31, 2006 i know the PP kills all snails, it probably kills planaria too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nor_wester Posted November 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 Should I be worried about them, or will they just die off by themselves ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 The "pp" will probably kill more than the planaria (it is a very srong oxidizing agent and indiscriminate about what it oxidizes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 The planaria are harmless so just cut back the feeding and vacuum thoroughly when you do a water change and it will fix itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 i agree alan- i would expect .5ppm would kill the planaria and it wont hurt the fish at all. 2ppm is the average dose when treating fish, tho 1ppm is often used with africans as they are more sensitive. a constant watch has to be kept on the tank also (and i mean constant, check on occupants at least once every 5 mins during four hour min treatment) as that is normally when things go wrong. H2o2 is its antidote and is easily obtainable (i use 3%). sadly i have had to do alot of reasearch on it lately but if caution is used (and a constant watch) it is relatively safe. it is an option if it really bothered you but is normally easy enough to clean up to barely noticable levels using the methods above (reduced feeding and water changes). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 How would hydrogen peroxide be an antidote when they are both strong oxidizing agents? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 I am against adding anything to a tank if it isn't necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 im no scientist but thats what is said on the net when it comes to using PP? after my treatment on one of my fish the water was still purple so i decided to test it out and it worked- the water didnt go clear but nearly, sort of like a light tannin from driftwood. *shrugs* found this also but have no idea what it is- Dose 1 or 2 grams of sodium thiosulfate per 100 US gallons. This will instantly stop the PP treatment by attacking and neutralizing the permanganate complex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 I can see how that would work (it also neutralizes chlorine). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 ahhhh- so thats why theyre saying dechlorinators will also effect treatments and can be used if things go wrong? its a pretty drastic measure to go to so i would only use it as a very last resort. oscars are real messy fish and even when theyre small will still blow food out their gills so that could be contributing to it- you may not be over feeding at all? if you keep the tank really clean the planaria will have nothing to eat and will die off. certain fish will eat them but i wouldnt advise putting them in with O's, even baby ones. O's can go quite a while without eating but i have found garden worms (from a place that isnt sprayed) will get them to eat when theyre having an "oscar moment' and are being really picky. what are you feeding yours at present? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 Isn't sodium thiosulfate used as a sterilizer in home-brewing??? Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 It is in your water ager solutions and is used in sample bottles when taking samples of chlorinated water for bacterial testing (it neutralizes the chlorine so the bugs don't get killed on the way to the lab). Sodium metabisulphite is used in home brewing ( and commercially) It produces sulphur dioxide which kills bugs and unwanted yeasts. Also used as a preservative for meat (reacts with the blood to form oxyhaemaglobin which makes the meat look nice and red). The quick test to see if the butcher has put it on meat that should not contain it is malachite green (goes clear) so it is good to get the green dye off your hands after playing with malachite green. Butchers can use it on processed meat like sausages but some naughty butchers put it on minced meat to make it red after it has gone grey from adding too much mutton and the end of roasts etc (naughty, naughty) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 Thankyou Alan, from Alan. I was close tho. :roll: Alan 104 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 1, 2006 Report Share Posted November 1, 2006 You had the sodium right. Will you be taking your malachite to the butchers? I did after I bought mince to feed a baby magpie, the butcher assured me he had no preservative in the mince and maggie chucked all over the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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