Nematodes in the aquarium: varieties, causes of occurrence and methods of elimination

It can be unsettling to find tiny, thread-like worms in your aquarium. Nematodes are these organisms that are surprisingly common in fish tanks. Even though the majority of nematodes are safe, some might endanger your aquatic habitat.

Nematodes can get into your aquarium through a variety of sources, including contaminated fish, plants, or substrates. Once inside, they can proliferate rapidly, particularly under favorable circumstances. Their presence could be a sign that there’s an imbalance in your tank.

A healthy aquarium depends on knowing the various kinds of nematodes, why they appear, and how to get rid of them. You can guarantee that your fish and plants flourish by managing their population with the appropriate strategy.

Varieties of Nematodes Causes and Elimination Methods
Planarian Worms Caused by overfeeding; remove by reducing food and using a planaria trap.
Detritus Worms Arise from poor water quality; improve filtration and do regular water changes to eliminate.
Camallanus Worms Introduced through infected fish; treat with antiparasitic medication and quarantine new fish.

Who are nematodes?

White roundworms, ornematodes, are members of the protostomes class of invertebrates. They range in length from 8.5 m to 80 microns. Individuals that settle in aquariums range in size from 1 to 8 mm. Females have a larger, barrel-shaped body type, whereas males are thin and spindle-shaped.

While certain species of nematodes are viviparous, most lay eggs. Although they are found in practically every aquarium (in the ground, on the surface of plants), their tiny size and low population make them invisible. Unfavorable factors can cause a sharp increase in the number of protostomes. In this instance, the reservoir is full of slender, worm-like creatures. Depending on the kind of nematodes, this "intervention" can be dangerous to varying degrees.

Varieties

Approximately 24,000 species of nematodes have been described by scientists to date, but it is believed that their true diversity is much higher. Generally, roundworms can be classified into two major groups:

Free-living

Inhabit bodies of water, both fresh and salt, at all depths. habitation soils and thickets on solid object surfaces. are consumed by other aquatic life.

Parasitic

Can survive in the tissues of plants, animals, and humans. cause nematodosis, which can have detrimental effects.

Nematodes have a strong will. They procreate more actively in unfavorable environments. They can even function in the total absence of oxygen! The existence of water is the only parameter that is actually important.

Why are nematodes dangerous?

The vast majority of aquarium nematodes are thought to be free-living. It is completely safe for aquatic life to use them. In addition, certain fish voluntarily consume them, obtaining beneficial microelements. If you see thin, white worms moving on an artificial reservoir’s glass in a serpentine manner, these are probably harmless nematodes. The aquarium’s ugly appearance is the only drawback to having such residents.

For fish, parasitic nematodes pose a serious threat. They become ingrained in their bodies and cause death. The appearance of an ichthyofauna representative does not, at this point, indicate the presence of infection. As nematodosis worsens, the following symptoms emerge:

  • increased appetite (at an early stage);
  • an increase in the size of the abdomen;
  • sluggish behavior;
  • spine deformation;
  • the appearance of foci of inflammation, necrosis, hemorrhages on the body;
  • the formation of neoplasms in tissues – cysts, nodules (granulomas).

If the afflicted person is not isolated from the others as soon as possible, the parasites will spread swiftly. For aquarium representatives, capillaria, eustrongylides, camallanus, and contracaecum are the most dangerous nematode species.

When there are few parasitic nematodes present, the infection symptoms might not show up at all. However, fish become less mobile and have a slower rate of development.

Causes of roundworms

Along with plants, soil, stones, food, ornamental items, and direct inhabitants (fish, snails), nematodes can enter an aquarium. The latter choice is more common in parasitic forms. Once they have established themselves in one person’s body, they spread to the others through waste products. Rotten sections of contaminated plants may also be their source.

In an artificial reservoir, free-living roundworms can survive for a considerable amount of time "secretly" and without harming other occupants. However, they start actively reproducing when certain conditions are met. Fish overfeeding is the primary contributing factor. Food scraps sink to the bottom and start to decay. Their decomposition products create an ideal environment for the growth of tiny worms that resemble threads.

How to get rid of nematodes?

The type of species that has emerged in the aquarium determines the best strategy for dealing with nematodes.

Free-living

Although their presence does not pose a threat to the aquarium ecosystem, it is not a pleasant sight to observe them in action. There are several methods to get rid of them:

  1. Raise the water temperature by 2 °C and add a little table salt. Other aquarium inhabitants, as a rule, are not afraid of such changes in conditions, but the worms will most likely die.
  2. Add fish that feed on nematodes. For example, gourami, mollies, macropods, small pecilia or other labyrinth fish. In addition, worms can be destroyed by coil snails. For a significant reduction in numbers, 2 – 3 days are enough. But be careful, because the coils themselves reproduce very quickly and populate the entire aquarium!

If the first two approaches proved ineffective, it would be worthwhile to take a more comprehensive approach to the problem and perform a "major cleaning."

  1. Relocate all aquarium inhabitants to a separate jar.
  2. Use a net to remove the bulk of the nematodes.
  3. Remove all decorative elements and rinse them with hot water.
  4. Disinfect plants with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, and filter elements with chlorine-containing agents.
  5. Increase the temperature in the tank to 40 – 45 ° C.
  6. Hold it for 2 – 2.5 hours. During this time, all the worms remaining in the aquarium will die.
  7. After the water cools down to normal levels, return the fish to it.

Parasitic

The first thing to do if parasitic nematodes show up in the aquarium is to remove any individuals that clearly show symptoms of infection. Use one of the drugs after that.

Before putting the medication in the aquarium, make sure to read the directions!

Medica CestoNemaEx (TM "Tetra")

Diflubenzuron-containing liquid. Effective against carp lice, flat and anchor worms, nematodes, cestodes, and parasitic crustaceans. Fit for tropical fish. 20 drops in every 20 liters of water is the dosage. Three sessions of treatment, separated by two to three weeks.

Professional Nematol (TM Sera Med)

Utilized in both marine and freshwater aquariums. effectively fights off roundworms like capillaria and camallanus. Shake the drink well before using. Fill the aquarium with 40 liters of water and add 1 ml of the product. Mix it after evenly spreading it over the surface. After three weeks, repeat the process.

Nemol (TM JBL)

Appropriate for freshwater and marine aquariums. Benzimidazole is the active component. active against oxyuridae, capillaridae, and camallanidae. Forty liters of water require 10 milliliters of the product. Three weeks later, repeat the treatment.

General rules for disinfecting an aquarium

There are specific instructions that come with each product, and it is important to follow them exactly. However, the following guidelines can be emphasized for disinfecting an aquarium:

  1. Replace at least 50% of the water.
  2. Rinse the filter.
  3. Use a medicinal product.
  4. For several weeks, ensure good aeration. Do not use ozonizers, carbon filters, ultraviolet lamps, ion exchange resins.
  5. After the period specified in the instructions, replace 30 – 50% of the liquid.
  6. Carry out filtration using adsorbent materials.

Fish treatment

Nematodes that have become embedded in fish tissues can only be extracted surgically. These people are typically turned away. Aquarium inhabitants may be saved if the digestive tract is affected early on. Take any of the following medications:

Levamisole

Four grams are added to one kilogram of food. For three weeks, give it to the fish once a week. Another option is to dilute 2 mg in 1 liter of water and soak the "patient" for a full day in the medicinal bath. After two weeks, repeat the process.

Fenbendazole

Use in addition to a diet. Dosage: every three days for two to three weeks, 2.5 g per kilogram of food.

Nematodes that live freely pose no threat to humans. Certain species are parasitic. However, the only ways to contract them are through eating raw fish and flagrantly breaking hygiene regulations.

Prevention

In order to stop nematodes from reproducing in the aquarium, you need to:

  1. Siphon the soil once or twice a week and partially change the water.
  2. Use a sufficiently powerful filter.
  3. Observe moderation when feeding fish.
  4. When introducing live food into the diet, buy it in specialized stores.
  5. Before adding plants and soil to the aquarium, pay attention to disinfection – calcine sand, stones and soil in the oven, treat flora with a solution of potassium permanganate, disinfect the decor.
  6. Place new aquarium inhabitants in quarantine for at least 2 weeks.

Nematodes are tiny white worms with an appearance similar to helminths. They show up in the aquarium due to direct infection, excessive fish feeding, or high pollution levels. These invertebrates’ free-living forms degrade the reservoir’s ecosystem but do not pose a threat to it. Fish infections with parasitic nematodes can result in death. Both using specialized products and heating the water will help get rid of them.

Although having nematodes in your aquarium may seem concerning, they can be successfully managed with the correct strategy. By being aware of the various nematode species and their causes, you can keep your fish and plants in a healthy environment.

Preventing nematode infestations requires consistent cleaning and appropriate feeding procedures. The likelihood that nematodes will cause issues in your aquarium can be greatly decreased by keeping it clean and not overstocked.

If nematodes do show up, there are a few ways to get rid of them. Without endangering the fragile ecosystem of your aquarium, you can restore balance through safe treatment methods or manual removal.

Aquarium nematodes are microscopic, worm-like organisms that can develop as a result of overfeeding, improper tank maintenance, or the addition of tainted fish or plants. While certain nematodes are benign, others may pose a threat to fish, so it’s critical to recognize their species and take appropriate action to eradicate them. Effective techniques to maintain a healthy and pest-free aquarium include decreasing feeding, cleaning the tank more often, and applying treatments like salt baths or certain medications.

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Anton Popov

A professional aquarist with over 15 years of experience. Main specialization - marine aquariums and creating optimal conditions for keeping rare species of fish and corals. I am fond of aquascaping, actively participate in international competitions. I love to share knowledge and experience to help others create the beauty of the underwater world at home.

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