Planaria GRRRRR

[ineke]

So we all know I am heavy handed when it comes to feeding ANYTHING but I am waging a losing war against planaria in my large tank.   I have been using Internal Parasite Clear and am now on my 4 fourth treatment in a row this time and still I'm seeing small planaria after lights out. I thought I might not be dosing enough so bought a small scale that weighs right down to micrograms so know I am using enough. I have cut back even more on feeding but I think when I was using the barley pellets and leaving them in as per instructions I may have caused this last epidemic. The only thing I can think of is I'm not switching my canister off when I first dose. Any thought's anyone- should the canister be switched off for a while? Tomorrow is day 3 water change again and I'm going to dose 1 more time -I  guess leaving the canister off for 1/2 hour won't do any harm. I wonder if I should try No Planaria instead but not sure how safe it is. I have a heap of tiny CRS in this tank and some berried girls so don't want to take any chances with them. I'm not seeing any big planaria just the very small ones now. At least when I go on holidays they might naturally disappear with the tanks only getting fed once a week for 8 weeks or so. 

[BlueBolts]

I've only recently ever had planaria in one of my tanks, and took great pleasure in zapping them with 50% H202 via a pipette......bit like weeding the garden bed.... Slow, but eventually succes, and had great pleasure in seeing them squirm ... Bhahahahaha

[ineke]

LOL BB you really are the mad scientist. I have conquered the little buggas in all my other tanks but not this one and don't think the H202 will work - I can't reach all the corners and these are still very little I sometimes think I'm looking at a baby shrimp then realise its a worm!

[fishmosy]

Hey Ineke,

Have you tried a planaria trap. I haven't used any chemicals to remove the planaria in my tanks. When I spot a couple, i add the trap with some frozen bloodworms, leave overnight and in the morning it holds 15-30 plump red planaria (which go to my fish). I dont have to put the trap back in for weeks.

[ineke]

I have tried homemade planaria trap but have never caught any. Now I'm starting to wonder if these little ones are planaria? I have seen a couple of bigger adults previously but these are quite small and I have just thought they are young ones they certainly aren't red or plump . They do move around on the glass and not free swimming so not nematodes .

[fishmosy]

Sorry I may have caused some confusion there. The planaria turn from grey/white to red and plumpy after feeding on the bloodworms overnight.

Try a glass planaria trap, available from either aquakitz or bossaquaria.

[newbreed]

I've only recently ever had planaria in one of my tanks, and took great pleasure in zapping them with 50% H202 via a pipette......bit like weeding the garden bed.... Slow, but eventually succes, and had great pleasure in seeing them squirm ... Bhahahahaha

I used to have fun doing similar to aptasia in my marine tank, but used freshly boiled water!! Evil, but rewarding! :)

[ineke]

Sorry I may have caused some confusion there. The planaria turn from grey/white to red and plumpy after feeding on the bloodworms overnight.

Try a glass planaria trap, available from either aquakitz or bossaquaria.

Glad that was cleared up! I was starting to think I was looking at the wrong things, I recognise them when they are adults but these little white ones are too small for me to see the normal planaria head and eyes.

Well nothing else is working I might just have to buy one!

[Squiggle]

I have a feeling you won't need to buy one Ineke, just keep an eye on the letterbox!

[ineke]

Oooo oh a surprise Squiggs? :) I love surprises :)

[newbreed]

Loving the SKF Love!! Great work Bossman!!