What is planaria?
Planaria is a pest in the aquarium. Planaria is a type of white worm in your tank with a slimy skin. It can grow up to 15 mm long and reproduces by laying eggs. These eggs are very tough and also resistant to most medications, frost, drought, and high temperatures. This allows the eggs to survive in the natural environment under extreme conditions and hatch when circumstances are right.
The planaria worm is characterized by its distinct triangular head with visible eyes. Planaria moves across the glass or the substrate and prefers to do this when the aquarium lights are off. During the day, it often hides in the substrate.
How did planaria get into my aquarium?
Planaria often enters the aquarium via new aquarium plants, new substrate, fish, or water from another tank. In most cases, eggs are introduced along with these new purchases and then hatch in the aquarium.
Is planaria harmful?
Planaria is a true omnivore and can even hunt the eggs of or weak animals to some extent. In addition, young shrimp or freshly molted shrimp can be grabbed by the worm when they remain in the same spot to recover.
There are reports that planaria releases a kind of poison (toxin) to defend itself. This would mainly happen when animals such as shrimp touch the planaria. This toxin enters the aquarium water and is said to only work over a short distance and is especially dangerous to small aquarium inhabitants. However, with a very large population of planaria, the entire water could become so toxic that especially sensitive animals die from it. However, this has never been scientifically proven.
Planaria reproduces very quickly and can lay many eggs at once. As a result, just a few worms can quickly cause a major infestation in the aquarium. It is therefore important to start treatment quickly when planaria is detected in the tank.
How can I control planaria?
The first step in controlling planaria is to feed aquarium inhabitants sparingly and use aquarium feeding dishe so that fewer food leftovers remain. This initially slows down the growth and reproduction of planaria. In addition, a planaria trap can be used to reduce the population.
There are also several products available to completely control and remove planaria from the aquarium.
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Shrimps Forever Ex-it and Biomax NO-Planaria are both treatments based on an extract from the Betel palm. These treatments ensure that you are rid of planaria within 3 days. This product also targets snails and all other animals with a slimy skin. Be careful with fish; there are reports that they do not always tolerate it well.
SL-aqua Z1 aquarium bio protector provides fast removal of Planaria and hydra from the aquarium. This product is made entirely from natural, plant-based ingredients and is completely safe for shrimp. Because of these plant-based ingredients, it also has no effect on the bacterial culture and balance in the aquarium. The treatment usually lasts only a few days but can be extended if the planaria has not completely disappeared.
