Worm-like creatures in tank

[missm]

Hey guys!

I'm not sure if this post would belong in this particular forum but I thought I'd give it a shot.

There are small, worm-like things swimming around my axolotl's tank and they weren't there before.

I'm not sure if they're dangerous or anything, or if they've come from the axolotl itself?

The worm-creatures move like sea-monkeys (obviously not the scientific name for the creatures). They've got a black head/tip on the top.

Any ideas as to what they are??!!

Any help would be great.
Thanks guys!

 

[daremo]

check this page and see if they're anything like these:

Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Invaders: Algae, Snails, Worms and Other Critters

 

[Jennewt]

I'm a bit lost by your description - sea monkeys are brine shrimp, and I don't think they look anything like worms. Check out the page linked by Daremo (and the second page of photos linked from that article) and see if anything looks like what you have. They are probably harmless, but they might be telling you something about your water quality - have you tested for nitrate lately?

 

[blackdog]

SOunds like planaria to me.

Totally normal to occur naturally in a fish tank, they come in through store bought plants etc (all the normal ways....)

They feed on waste matter.

Supposedly they will not harm your axies (but they can kill some tank mates like cherry shrimp) but i have seen through my research that they can potentially latch onto your axies gills and be annoying (albeit harmelss) I have read of (not seen) case where axies have been rubbing on tank ornaments to "scratch" at annoying planaria

So, first thing, a planaria outbreak can indicate you are not cleaning your substrate enough, so vacuuming more often and a clean up of any dead plant matter etc is the first step.

I have also used a product called "No Planaria" in my axie tank because i sometimes put cherry shrimp in as feeders. It had no ill effects on my axies.

Can be a little hard to find in Australia, but www.canberraaquatics.com.au seem to be the store that has the most regular supply

So, i'd first do a little googling to see if what you have is planaria (lots of photos and info on the web)

then, i'd go down the track of the "natural" cures first (like more cleaning etc) before i dosed my tank with anything - remember axies are not fish, so often fish cures can be harmful to axies.

I only used "no planaria" after much research, as i said, my guys had no ill effects.

Bren