Lani Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 Since lighting my tank today I can see lots of tiny creatures busy in the gravel - I assume they came in with a new plant, or maybe in "Liquifry". Are these just part of a good cycled tank setup? Any help? I have WCMM in tank but I think the creatures are a little big/quick to be eaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson Posted March 29, 2007 Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 what size are they? and do you have any photos? do they swim or do they just sort of riggle arround? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lani Posted March 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 they seem to wriggle about, very fast - best viewed with a magnifying glass., smooth back pale colour to light grey/brown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lani Posted March 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2007 sorry, no pics. Do you know of a site I can go to showing creatures in coldwater tanks? Have been searching this site, but no luck so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.qian Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 sounds a bit like tubefix worms. You should get rid of them immediately if they are worms, try a gravel vaccuum. How big is your tank? How often do you do a water change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 Planaria worms look like fine threads. Caused by overfeeding. Give the gravel a good siphon and cut back on the amount you are feeding. Planaria are harmless by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lani Posted April 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Thanks michael.qian and Caryl - I am sure they are not worms, best description I have are miniature sand lice. I do a weekly 50% water change and gravel siphon. Local fs suggested more often siphon, but less water, change until I get rid of them and to ensure no food drops to the bottom. I am just trying to avoid moving the fish and completely washing the gravel and starting afresh. My tank is a tall glass bowl about 10-12 litres water, with small filter and now a daylight bulb. I thought having fish is supposed to be restful? It can be quite stressful! :-? Yet I do love my 5 WCMM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Put a piece of raw meat on a string and leave over night on the tank bottom. Carefully withdraw the meat on the string in the morning and dip it into a strong salt solution and see what reaction the "THINGS" have. If they die, you could then remove the gravel and soaked in salt water, it should knock them right back. Or just keep using the trap method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lani Posted April 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Alan, that is interesting - having just done the clean/siphon/water change and capturing two from the water, I poured on ordinary table salt - immediate death, and I dont think the few small white worms didn't like it either. Some people say a few 'insects' in gravel is okay - whats your opinion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Why kill them? I haven't seen any reason to assume that they're harmful. Some people like to have a little bit of biodiversity in their tanks instead of immediately going OMGOMGOMG! Something different! KILLITKILLITKILLIT!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lani Posted April 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 True about biodiversity, except that I had been hoping to have more fry appear & I assumed these 'things' had been eating the eggs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEd Posted April 27, 2007 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 What is so wrong with having live tubifex worms wriggling in the gravel? I have been purposfuly feeding an excess of them for my Kuhlis? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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