What's this worm?

[X3NiTH]

Took a vid today, not very good about the same as yours before it dived down the back and I didn’t have time to chase it down. I’ll try again when I have more time.

Here is a screen shot of the clearest frame showing this one has banded markings.



🙂

 

[Ags11]

I have had no casualties amongst the fish so far, so this may work out after all.

Here is a screen shot of the clearest frame showing this one has banded markings.

That looks very much like an asian freshwater leech - right shape and its sides in the mid section are darker than down the middle.

 

[Rouvax]

I got same worm for months, I do lose a fish in this period but I dont it is because of this worm. I am not sure about snails and shrimps.

https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/what-is-this-creature-name-this-worm.61644/

 

[Ags11]

I haven't seen the leech again, and I have also had no losses of fish or snails.

 

[Courtneybst]

I haven't seen the leech again, and I have also had no losses of fish or snails.

I'm glad to hear this, I just spotted one in my tank tonight. I literally swore when I saw it 😅

 

[Ags11]

All my snails and fish are still fine, I have had no (leech-based) problems...

 

[Aqua360]

Hi all, I have Leeches in my tanks, it isn't entirely by choice, but they are almost impossible to eradicate, and I like shrimps, snails, Lumbriculus etc. so I'm not ever going to take the nuclear option.

cheers Darrel

How common are they? I don't think I've ever seen one in my tanks, I'd empty my tank if I thought I had any type of leech whatsoever 🤮

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

How common are they?

I really don't know, we have a few threads where people <"have had them">, and they probably came in with plants, shrimp or snails. I also guess most people might assume that they were Flatworms (Planaria).

I think I originally got mine with live food, and as I don't ever break the tanks down I've had them ever since.

If you ever do any <"freshwater invertebrate surveying"> you will definitely find Leeches, there are hundreds of species and they occur in every type of fresh water, still, running, clean, polluted, very polluted etc.

cheers Darrel