Nematodes?

[elly]

I'm not sure if anyone can help with this, but thought I'd try. I've seen some very thin, tiny worms in my substrate under the water dish. They're about 3/4 of a centimeter long and thin as a hair. Anyone have any idea what they could be? A list of possibilities is all I'm looking for. I would have taken a picture, but I couldn't see the worms at all until they moved.

[deranged chipmunk]

A pic would be helpful, but what you are describing sounds like nematodes.


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[elly]

I tried, but I can't see them if they aren't moving!

Also, are nematodes harmful to frogs?

[deranged chipmunk]

If I remember correctly, they are not harmful to frogs, but there's no way to get rid of them except replacing the substrate.


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[Louis Charles Bruckner]

If they are true nematodes they are only harmful to some plants.
Not your frog.

[MatthewM1]

My vote is on fungus gnat larvae

[elly]

Fungus gnat larvae sounds likely considering I don't know how nematodes could even get into my terrarium.

[Heatheranne]

Can you load a pic for us?

Nematode species can vary. Most often you'll see the thin whitish-clear ones. These are considered harmless to frogs, though some species might snack on your microfauna springtails and baby isos. They do eat dead leftover fruit flies.

Nemerteans are evil little buggers and can cause havoc in your vivariums and may even eat your frog eggs. They too eat your microfauna, and can rapidly wipe them out. They tend to be light brown to tan to pinkish brown in color.

A pic would help.

[elly]

I know I should post a pic, but every time I try nothing shows up! The worm looks like part of the dampness. They're clear or at least so thin they look clear.

[bcreps]

it could be those white worms i had in my springtail cultures awhile ago. i think they where called grindal worms. i was told they are harmless and sometimes used as a feeder for fish.

[Mellywell]

White worms, if that's what they are are harmless. I've cultured them in the past and fed to both my cichlids and my frogs. They gross me out tho. They are fattening. So not regular food. But both frog and fish go bananas for them.
Just google white worm culture images.




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[Cliygh and Mia 2]

If you said they were by the water dish, I vote springtails. The ones in my tank (I didn't put them there) infested it, and loved moisture, possibly more than the frogs I kept in the tank!

[DigitalPunk]

Nematodes are brownish in color like heather said and are typically not harmful to frogs, but will decimate your micro fauna population. Only way to get rid of them is to tear the tank apart, toss the soil in the trash, bleach dip the plants, and bleach wash the tank.

Not sure if that is what you have or not. I would be willing to bet all the money in the world they aren't spring tails. Springtails are smaller and very clearly not work looking.