Planaria, AKA White Worms Options

[HappyBuddha]

For the first time ever, I saw white worms in my tank. What happen was I turned off the canister filter for a while, and when I re-started the canister filter, I was surprise to see my fishes frantically eating something. On closer examination I saw a lot of wiggling white worms and my fishes were busy catching them to feast on.

A quick search on the net shows they are Planaria. Relatively harmless and a source of proteins for your fishes.

But there's also a claim that they might drill themselves and live/multiply on the gill of your fish.

So I decided to rid them. A medication called Vermex is highly recommended but I can't find it last evening at nearby LFS. So I bough an alternative recommendation:-



It's commonly referred to as the "Magic Purifying Powder".

Has anyone use it to get rid of white worms in their tank before? No where on the packaging mention anything about white worms... and no info on ingredients either. There's a line printed that says, however, "You may not change water after adding this powder at least one month."

Holysmoke, tell me it's true!

[goldie]

I have the same problem before. Tried Vermex and it's effective. I got this stuff from C328.

[void]

To get rid of the white worms, you can introduce a few angel fish into the aquarium... they will wipe out the entire colony... What's more they will eat the argulus...

[LASERGUY]

To get rid of the white worms, you can introduce a few angel fish into the aquarium... they will wipe out the entire colony... What's more they will eat the argulus... 

Har... remember seeing in some Indonesia website for goldfish stated that they put in angel fishes together with their goldfish in the tub/pond. I wonder whether it is because of this reason ?

[void]

Har... remember seeing in some Indonesia website for goldfish stated that they put in angel fishes together with their goldfish in the tub/pond. I wonder whether it is because of this reason ?

yup... that is a common practice in Indonesia... the angel fish are said to eat the argulus... and sometimes the anchor worms...

[HappyBuddha]

I have the same problem before. Tried Vermex and it's effective. I got this stuff from C328.

I wanted Vermex as it is specifically formulated to get rid of white worms but... it was late evening and most LFS were already closed.

Here's Vermex's product info for those of you interested.

Do you remember how much a bottle cost you? Thanks.

[HappyBuddha]

Har... remember seeing in some Indonesia website for goldfish stated that they put in angel fishes together with their goldfish in the tub/pond. I wonder whether it is because of this reason ?

I gathered from quite a few posts in AF that the recommendation here in Singapore is to use either guppies or Tiger Barbs to eat up all the white worms. It's claimed they can finish the job in a day or two.

I don't want to opt for this method since I will want to quarantine the guppies first, or risk introducing bad parasites when all I wanted is to get rid of relatively harmless white worms.

[square_guy]

there really isn't a good long term solution for the white worms. once it is there, it will always be there no matter how many times you applied vermex (imagine the cost!). they will just come back after a while. save the money. u know how much money LFS has already earn from aro keepers

best way to reduce them. change water. they shd be at minimal given that we change water a lot unlike aro keeper.

[CyberET]

if treated and eradicated properly.. i don't think will come back right? whats the adult stage of the worm? or is the worm the adult stage?

[mrchoco]

my angel fish will eat the worms.
but after a while will nib my ranshu's tails!


make sure take out the ranchus before adding the powder. the worms will all appear and flood the whole tank.....

[void]

my angel fish will eat the worms.
but after a while will nib my ranshu's tails!

hmm... maybe the angel fish nib your ranchu tails becos got some worms or other parasites (harmless types)...

[HappyBuddha]

I failed to mentioned that the amount of white worms in my tank weren't a lot. I had turned off my canister and they got purged out. I delibrately turned off my canister again the following day for an hour, just to see how many would get purged out. Much to my surprise, about the same amount! I thot my fishes have eaten up most of them.

I knew the problem isn't serious but went to C328 to buy Vermex, but I didn't when I saw it's $12 for 10ml. I decided to apply the cheap cheap "magic powder" instead.

Goosh, I'm surprise it actually works. Within 5 minutes after blending it to the water, the same old amount of white worms came out, but unlike last time, mostly dead!!

I off my canister the following day. This time I'm happy to note there are so few white worms the amount is totally insignificant; I had to look hard to find them in the tank.

As it is now, I declare my tank white-worms free.

No fish were harm or exhibited any strange behavior after applying the powder.

Oh... kekeke... the magic powder did make my water crystal clear. I think "no water change for one month..." is possible.

muhahahahaha.

[ColinShen]

Hi guys,

My tank is oso infected with these white worms wriggling around d whole tank.. so i was wondering if i added tat 'magic powder', will all my BB die & i got to cultivate it from scratch?

Thanks

[CP]

These "magic powders" does not rid the worms and does not harm BB.

They merely binds suspended solids in the water into bigger lumps so that they settle or easily trapped by your filter making your tank water look crystal clear.

[goldy]

Folks,

I followed instructions and used 8 drops of Vermex in my 95% filled Five Plan 2-ft tank. It did not get rid of the worms but my one and only ranchu in the tank ended up listless, not swimming and breathing hard after 2 days. Water change to reduce amt of medication in the tank but too late. After another 4 days of struggle, it died.

Another tank of 2 ryukins survived only for 4 days and died.