Planaria in the aquarium: how to get rid? Step-by-step instruction

When planarians appear in the aquarium, it becomes a cause for concern, and these worms look somehow quite unattractive. Is it worth much to worry about this and are these creatures really dangerous? Today we will get to know them better, learn how to deal with the planaria in the aquarium, and what preventive measures exist.

Description

Planariae are flat worms, a covering with a hair covering, similar to small cilia. Their main habitat is freshwater reservoirs. However, some varieties of planarians can also be found in sea water, less often on land. In nature, many species of these worms are known, which are spread all over the world. Adult specimens of some worms living in the wild can reach a length of 40 cm.

In domestic aquariums, white, dairy, brown and mourning planarias are most common. The peculiarity of parasites is that they prefer to lead a nocturnal life. Planaria in the aquarium hide behind rocks, in the thick of plants. That is why it is not easy to detect them, especially if they are brown or mourning worms.

Fish do not eat them, because in their skin are poisonous glands that produce dangerous to the surrounding toxic substances. The only exceptions are labyrinthine fishes (roosters, gourami), which live in a freshwater aquarium. Here they eagerly eat parasites and their eggs. In the marine aquarium of these worms, different kinds of gubans prefer.

The main food of the planaria is protein food. The basis of their diet is small invertebrates, in particular shrimps and crayfish. They like to eat caviar of fish, snails and crustaceans, as well as their food. Often, the planarians in the aquarium (photo below) attack adults. They are able to penetrate their shell and clog gills, provoking suffocation. After that, the worms eat the victim.

No less damage is done to the planaria in the marine aquarium. Due to the enormous rate of reproduction, parasites can cover live stones, corals, glass and soil in a few months. Covered with secretions of planaria, corals begin to choke and eventually die. In addition, in the presence of parasites, the walls of the aquarium become unaesthetic.

Where do the planarians come from?

The causes of the appearance of ciliated worms can be several. They are often entered together with untreated soil or plants. Also planarians can get together with toys and interior items from an old aquarium. As a source of infection, live food or recently inhabited inhabitants can act.

Upon entering the aquarium, worms begin to multiply at a very high rate, laying eggs under the stones, leaves of plants or in the ground. Active multiplication of the planaria is facilitated by irregular cleaning of the aquarium and changes in temperature indicators.

How to detect parasites

In order to determine the presence of planaria in the aquarium, you need to show some observance.

First, carefully monitor the behavior of fish. If among them there are individuals who occasionally shake their heads around, it can be assumed that their gills attacked flat worms.

Secondly, the absence of fry can indicate the presence of parasites, although it was previously noted that the eggs were laid off.

You can also detect the planaria on the glass, if suddenly turn on the lighting in the aquarium.

Fighting the planaria in the aquarium

Getting rid of parasites is difficult. This is due to the fact that the planaria is very tenacious and has the property of spontaneous generation. In other words, if it is cut into pieces, each of them subsequently grows tail and head. According to some information, only 1/279 parts of the planar body are enough to restore the whole organism. Moreover, these worms easily go to "suicide": in case of a threat to life, their body breaks up into pieces. This ability in medicine was called "autotomy." In addition, these parasites can withstand a long enough hunger strike.

And yet, with some effort, it is possible not only to reduce their numbers, but also to deduce them altogether.

It is worth noting that in aquariums where fish live, it is much easier to cope with the task. Some species of fish, for example, fairly hungry cichlids and macro-pops, will help get rid of worms quickly and for sure. After all, these fish are resistant to the poisonous mucus of ciliated worms. But to do it in shrimp is very problematic. This requires a lot of hard work.

Physical methods of struggle

If the planarians in the aquarium are wound up, how to get rid of these parasites? Aquarists have come up with a number of ways that help to destroy the planaria.

Of course, it is possible to cleanse and wash stones, plants, filters, aquarium walls and various objects daily, mechanically by washing away the planaria.

To destroy the eggs of parasites, the ground must be removed and boiled. However, such manipulations are quite lengthy, and the expected effect is not always guaranteed, since the eggs of the parasite are so persistent that they can withstand even boiling. And soon all this can simply get bored.

One of the most popular ways to destroy the planaria is to use mechanical traps. To do this, put the scraped meat of beef or squid in a gauze pouch and hang the bait for the night near the ground or among the plants. The aquarium at this time should not be illuminated. In the morning, in the dim light, the bag with the captured worms is carefully removed, after which the trap is immediately immersed in boiling water.

Also, for catching worms, a special glass or plastic vessel with holes is often used. Such a trap can be purchased at the store or manufactured independently. The holes in the vessel are made in such a way that, by getting inside the bait food, the planaria can no longer get out.

It should be noted that this technique requires patience. I catch the bait it is necessary to spend several days in a row, in order to remove the young ones emerging from the eggs.

Chemicals

How to remove the planarium from the aquarium? This issue is of concern to many aquarists.

Today, the most simple and reliable method of getting rid of planarians is the use of drugs that contain fenbendazole. These include "Floydendazol", "Fluvermal", "Flavenol" or "Panakur". The main active substance does not harm permanent inhabitants of the aquarium, but it is effective in combating planarians.

The recommended dose of fenbendazole is 0.2-0.4 g per 100 liters of water. After a day or two after the drug is used, all planarians are killed. And fenbendazole in the form of a suspension gives a faster effect than its analogue in the powder, since the latter is poorly soluble in water. The dead worms are found sticking to the walls of the aquarium. Therefore, the final stage in the fight against parasites will be mechanical cleaning and water replacement.

Home remedies

If planarians appeared in the aquarium, a simple and good way to destroy them is using a concentrated solution of table salt in a ratio of 1 g per 1 liter of water. However, in this case it is important to take into account one nuance: plants, for which the saline solution can become pernicious, it is better to remove for a while.

No less effective is a 0.5% or 0.25% solution of table vinegar. Of course, more effective will be a vinegar solution in a concentration of 0.25%. But if there is no need for extreme measures, it is better to prefer a more sparing option.

After the vinegar or salt treatment, all the items present in the aquarium must be thoroughly washed in clean water, so as not to cause even greater harm to fish and shrimp. After this, you should change the water in the aquarium.

Also, if planarians appeared in the aquarium, you can get rid of them by using various pesticides, passing a current charge (12 V) through the water, heating the water. However, all these methods are dangerous for shrimp and snails. Apply them with a clear understanding of the risk and possible consequences.

Preventive measures

To prevent the appearance of uninvited guests in the form of planaria, it is necessary to regularly clean the aquarium and prevent its contamination. The corpses of dead fish and the remains of food should not stay in the aquarium for a long time, as the rotting process will occur.

Proper attention should be paid to filters - they must be washed and cleaned in a timely manner.

Transfer plants and interior elements to the aquarium better after pre-treatment with vinegar and thorough washing with water.