If you enjoy keeping aquariums, you may have encountered nematodes, which are insidious invaders. Although these tiny worms can be concerning, should you really be concerned? In many aquatic environments, nematodes are common and can occasionally find their way into your tank. You can maintain the health and success of your aquarium by being aware of these factors and how they affect it.
Nematodes usually pose no threat to your fish or plants. They frequently reside in the substrate and eat decomposing organic matter. If left unchecked, an overabundance of these worms could indicate that your tank is not as clean as it should be, which could result in other issues.
So, what would you do in the event of a nematode? Thankfully, there are numerous approaches to control and lower their population. Nematodes can be controlled with regular upkeep, such as cleaning the substrate and limiting feeding. To properly eradicate them, you might need to take extra measures if the infestation is more serious.
In the sections that follow, we’ll go over doable fixes and advice for controlling nematodes in your aquarium so that your fish and you can continue to enjoy a healthy and enjoyable aquatic environment.
Should You Be Afraid of Nematodes in an Aquarium? | Nematodes are tiny worms that sometimes show up in aquariums. Most of the time, they"re harmless and don"t pose a major threat to fish or plants. However, if their numbers get too high, they could potentially cause problems. It"s best to keep an eye on them and make sure they don"t overpopulate. |
How to Get Rid of Nematodes | If you do find that nematodes are becoming a nuisance, you can take a few steps to control them. Regular water changes, vacuuming the substrate, and reducing excess food can help keep their numbers in check. If you have a serious infestation, you might need to use specific treatments designed for your aquarium type. Always check the instructions and make sure any treatment is safe for your fish and plants. |
You may be wondering if nematodes pose a risk to your fish and plants if you notice small, worm-like organisms in your aquarium. Most nematodes are harmless and just a part of the aquatic ecosystem, despite the fact that they can be unsettling. If they appear frequently, though, it may be a sign of more serious problems with the condition of your tank. This post will discuss whether or not nematodes are a cause for concern and offer helpful advice on how to control and get rid of them if necessary.
- What are nematodes?
- Nematode species
- Why do nematodes attack an aquarium?
- Why are nematodes dangerous?
- Diagnostics
- How to fight?
- Treatment of fish
- Prevention
- FAQ
- Video on the topic
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What are nematodes?
In nature, there are up to 24,000 different species of nematodes. These are long, smooth-bodied worms with a circular cross-section. They are between 80 microns and 8.4 m in length. Females can be barrel- or lemon-shaped, and they are typically larger. There is evidence of triradiate symmetry in the head.
Although most nematodes are dimorphic, hermaphrodites can also be found. Worms procreate by laying eggs. Nonetheless, viviparous species of these representatives of the fauna have also been found by scientists.
Nematode species
Nematodes are parasitic, free-living organisms. The former do no damage to aquatic life. The latter can kill fish and are extremely dangerous.
Nematodes that live in freedom are a vital part of their ecosystem. They are found in freshwater, saltwater, and soil. Numerous species break down organic matter by settling on the bottom. Free-living nematodes are hard to miss in an aquarium because they move all the time, resembling slender snakes, and their population increases fairly quickly.
Many nematode representatives have evolved into animal parasites or commensals. These worms infect fish, plants, animals, and even people with invasive diseases.
Fish can contract parasitic species directly or through waste products. Tropical species of aquarium vertebrates are most frequently harmed by nematodes.
Within a few months, a single fish contaminated with worms can spread to the entire colony.
Why do nematodes attack an aquarium?
An aquarium’s nematode infestation may have originated from:
Overfeeding fish is one of the reasons why roundworms start to multiply quickly. Uneaten food scraps sink to the bottom where they become a perfect nutrient medium for nematode growth.
Why are nematodes dangerous?
Nematodes that are free-living in an aquarium do not endanger the animals that live there. Certain fish species and juvenile animals willfully consume tiny worms that mimic worms or fungal mycelium because the parasites provide all the essential nutrients.
With parasitic species, the situation is worse. Both wild and aquaculture fish are infected by these worms. High load causes illnesses and ultimately the host’s death.
There are currently over 600 known species of roundworms that pose a threat to fish. The most typical ones are:
- Capillaria – settles in the intestines of cichlids, carp, goura, tetra. Female worms are easily recognized by their brown, barrel-shaped eggs with a "plug".
- Eustrongylides — affect the muscles of the host, and are dangerous for guppies, danios, angelfish. The stomach of an infected fish swells, since the worms often move into the abdominal cavity. Eustrongylides worms are red, very long, twisted into a ring.
- Camallanus — the species is dangerous for cichlids, viviparous toothed carps (guppies and swordtails). Fish infected with Camallanus are easily recognized by the red worm protruding from the anus. The parasite lives in the intestines.
- Contracaecum — parasite larvae develop in fish. Tilapia, centrarch, kapra, perch are usually affected. The parasite is found in the liver, heart, swim bladder, and does not always cause disease.
Fish’s digestive tracts are home to adult parasites, though some species also establish themselves in other body regions like the deep skin layers, fins, etc.
The herd might not exhibit disease symptoms if there is only a small infection. Nonetheless, these people have a lower ability to procreate. Children with the parasite have poor development.
Finding the carrier fish is essential if there is an infection. In the early stages, the person eats more than usual but is otherwise the same as its relatives. Slowly, sluggishness sets in, and the belly swells and roundels.
Fish with nematode infections
The fish dies as a result of the deformed spine caused by the large number of worms inside its body.
Nematode infection is also indicated by:
- hemorrhages;
- seals on the body;
- foci of inflammation;
- tissue necrosis;
- cysts (bubbles), granulomas (nodules).
Diagnostics
Examining the dead fish’s body yields an accurate diagnosis. A biopsy of harmed external tissues is an additional diagnostic technique. Moreover, you can look for parasite eggs in fish excrement. Since non-parasitic nematode species colonize the biomaterial after a few hours, the excrement needs to be fresh. For valuable fish species, the second diagnostic technique is most frequently employed.
How to fight?
- If nematodes have appeared in the aquarium, increase water filtration and siphoning of the soil, reduce the portion of food for fish and snails.
- Free-living nematodes are quite easy to fight. Mollies and gouramis eat some types of worms: they can destroy the worm population in just 2-3 days. Coil snails willingly feast on uninvited guests.
- Worms are sensitive to temperature increases. Therefore, a slight heating of the water by 2 °C helps to get rid of the inhabitants. If the worms do not die, then we are not talking about nematodes, but about other types of parasites.
- Another simple way to get rid of small worms is to catch them with a small net.
Additionally, there are more extreme forms of control. Expert aquarium keepers advise that heating the water to 40–45 °C will eradicate the nematode population. Fish and plants should be taken out of the aquarium prior to the procedure. The scenery is removed, cleaned, and sanitized. Reintroducing plants and fish to the tank occurs after the water has reached a certain temperature. Water that has been heated can provide relief to people who have fallen or are concealed behind stones.
Researchers have discovered that fish are bad for parasites but good for them. Worms multiply more actively in aquariums with poorer conditions. Even in the total absence of oxygen, they can endure. But in the absence of moisture, they perish. The hardest thing to deal with is parasitic nematodes.
Treatment of fish
The aquarium is cleared of organic waste and animal feces prior to treatment. By doing this, subsequent infections will be prevented. Fish that are patients are quarantined.
Fish from round worms are treated with two medications:
Levamizole
The medication is added to the restroom and the stern. Dosage: 4 g per kilogram of feed, once every three weeks. The medication is diluted to 2 mg/l and applied for a full day to the restroom. After two to three weeks, the treatment is repeated.
Fenbendazole
The product is only applied as an additive to feed. Every three days, a dosage of 2.53 g of the medication is given per kilogram of feed. A follow-up session is scheduled for 14–21 days later.
We also use other anthelmintic medications to treat worms:
CestoNemaEx by Tetra Medica
(20 ml for every 400 l of water) is the dosage for diflubenzuron.
Professional Nematol Sera Med
Ten milliliters for every 400 liters of water is the dosage.
JBL Nemol
100 ml of (benzimidazole) per 400 l of water is the dosage.
These medications can be used to fight other worms and have a wide range of effects.
Fish with infections in organs other than the gastrointestinal tract are the hardest to treat. Surgical intervention is frequently the only way to treat extraintestinal forms of helminthic invasion. Fish that are infected are therefore typically rejected.
Prevention
There are several easy steps that can be taken to remove the need to combat worms.
The aquarium needs to be cleaned and the water needs to be changed partially every seven days. Stones and decorations are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before use. After being cleared of moss and dirt, stones are baked.
In addition, the décor is cleaned with warm water and, if the material permits, immersed in a pink potassium permanganate solution for a day. Afterward, it is rinsed and allowed to air dry. The oven can also be used to store sand and soil.
If you are unable to survive without live food, it is preferable to purchase it from stores rather than gathering it yourself. Feeding fish with tubifex, insect larvae, or copepods requires extra caution.
FAQ
Human safety is not endangered by worms kept in aquariums. This particular kind of nematode can only survive in the aquarium’s environment.
By consuming tainted raw fish or disregarding hygiene precautions, you can contract the infection.
No, even if the person appears to be in good health, you cannot do this. It is quarantined initially, and it isn’t moved to a permanent location until it has been determined that it won’t harm any other residents.
Although they may sound frightening, nematodes in aquariums don’t always mean you should freak out. Numerous of these microscopic worms are benign and aid in the decomposition of organic materials. They might even help your tank’s ecology become more balanced. It’s important to keep an eye on their numbers and make sure they don’t get out of control.
An increase in nematodes is frequently an indication that there is a problem with the balance in your tank. These pests may multiply as a result of overfeeding, low water quality, and neglect. Your best lines of defense against an infestation are consistent cleaning, cutting back on extra food, and keeping the water in good condition.
If nematodes do start to cause problems, there are things you can do to solve the problem. You can control their population by using a gravel vacuum to remove any excess organic debris and by changing your feeding schedule. Nematode populations can also be controlled by introducing natural predators, such as specific fish or invertebrate species.
Nematodes are generally found in aquarium environments. They shouldn’t be a serious threat to your aquatic setup if you give them the care and attention they need. You can maintain a balanced and healthy aquarium by closely monitoring the condition of your tank and making any necessary adjustments.