What are these things in my aquarium?????

[sassy51486]

I have a 55 gallon that has 7 fish along with a small cleanup crew. About two weeks ago i suddenly noticed a bunch of little black worm-like creatures crawling around, making their way up the glass. It looked as if they were coming from the gravel. They have sort of a clear head/tail and their middle is a dark brown color, they are very skinny and almost look like a strand of hair. They seem to mostly be on one side of the tank. It seems they've appeared overnight. I didn't think they moved at first but after watching closely i can see that they do.They wiggle about and thrash their bodies. I recently switched to live sand and a lot of them got crushed at the bottom in the old substrate that was left behind but now there are more of them. I need help identifying these, i can try to get a picture but it might be tough cause of their tiny size. They don't appear to be bothering my fish but i'm not sure if they're harmful at all so its important that i find out. Thank you if you're taking the time out to read this!

 

[sassy51486]

Will it be impossible to identify without a pic???

 

[saxman]

Pretty much need a photo...there are lots of things they could be. You COULD try taking a peek in our pictorial hitchhiker ID guide:

http://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhiker/hitchhiker.shtml

Scroll thru and see if your critters match any of the photos, then read the ID. There is often additional info attached as well.

 

[sassy51486]

Well thank you for that link-.And although none of those resemble what i have, i was able to get something else in my tank identified so it was a help...Anyway when searching the internet i came across a google image which fit the description for a trematode worm ("gill flukes"). Is it possible that's what it is?? I'm having a hard time finding more detailed information that will lead me to a coclusion and therefore need an expert's opinion.

 

[bang guy]

Like Saxman said, there are many things that fit your description. The more descriptive you are about not only appearance, but behavior and feeding will also narrow down the suspects.

The appearing overnight and on one side of the tank is a great behavior description. Makes me think of a Cirratulid worm hatch where hundreds of newly born Hair Worms climb the glass..

 

[sassy51486]

Ok yes, that is very true. I'm sure thats helpful. Let me see...For one, they crawl they dont swim, and sometimes you have to look real closely to make them out. They poke their heads partially out of the sand. As if theyre growing from the sandbed. Some are teeny tiny, others are slightly larger. I can't really tell what they are eating but they happen to be on the side where i feed. That is mostly where they reside but if you look close enough they are deffinitely dispersed throughout the tank floor. I am simply afraid that they're a parasic species. So far my fish are all fine but thats what i'm worried about

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sassy51486 http:///t/396821/what-are-these-things-in-my-aquarium#post_3535639
Ok yes, that is very true. I'm sure thats helpful. Let me see...For one, they crawl they dont swim, and sometimes you have to look real closely to make them out. They poke their heads partially out of the sand. As if theyre growing from the sandbed. Some are teeny tiny, others are slightly larger. I can't really tell what they are eating but they happen to be on the side where i feed. That is mostly where they reside but if you look close enough they are deffinitely dispersed throughout the tank floor. I am simply afraid that they're a parasic species. So far my fish are all fine but thats what i'm worried about

Pictures speak a thousand words...maybe go web surfing and find something that matches it...Type in saltwater parasites or saltwater worms, anything descriptive, and search for pictures.

 

[silverado61]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sassy51486 http:///t/396821/what-are-these-things-in-my-aquarium#post_3535627
Well thank you for that link-.And although none of those resemble what i have, i was able to get something else in my tank identified so it was a help...Anyway when searching the internet i came across a google image which fit the description for a trematode worm ("gill flukes"). Is it possible that's what it is?? I'm having a hard time finding more detailed information that will lead me to a coclusion and therefore need an expert's opinion.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sassy51486 http:///t/396821/what-are-these-things-in-my-aquarium#post_3535627
Well thank you for that link-.And although none of those resemble what i have, i was able to get something else in my tank identified so it was a help...Anyway when searching the internet i came across a google image which fit the description for a trematode worm ("gill flukes"). Is it possible that's what it is?? I'm having a hard time finding more detailed information that will lead me to a coclusion and therefore need an expert's opinion.
I'm not an expert but I think found your worm. Is this it?
If it is, I found it at extremeaquatics.com (They are an information website) and searched "worms" then "how to identify worms". I don't know how to post links here. Sorry.
They are pictured here on egg crate to give you a idea how small they are.The common name is "Black worm". They are harmless and will go away in a few weeks and are reef safe with caution. The science name is "oligochaetes" or "polychaetes"

I hope this helps.

 

[sassy51486]

Yup, almost positive that's what it is. Sorry for the delayed response...I've been doing some research, just to be sure Thanks so much!

 

[silverado61]

Don't thank me. I just sort of stumbled on it when I googled it with your basic description. Glad you got it. At least they don't seem harmful.