Have you ever encountered tiny unknown (and unwelcome) creatures crawling around inside your aquarium and wondered what they were? It’s a pretty common sight to see in established planted aquariums, especially planted shrimp tanks. While most of these little critters are harmless (and actually beneficial to the tank), there are some that may pose a threat to your fish or shrimp. This leaves us with the predicament: how to get rid of aquarium pests.
While it seems like these tiny pests appeared out of nowhere, they had to have come from somewhere. They most likely were transferred into the aquarium through plants, substrate, decor, or even fish or invertebrates that had been in a tank that was inhabiting them. These pests will rapidly reproduce once they are in their new aquarium under the right conditions.
You can greatly decrease the chance of getting any of these creatures into your aquarium by quarantining or bleach dipping everything that’s been in a tank with them before putting it into your own (especially aquarium plants!). If it’s hard goods such as decoration, hardscape, or substrate, you can leave it outside of water for a while and make sure it’s completely dry.
There are TWO ways to we recommend remove any pests or eggs that have potentially clung onto new plants and repurposed items going into your aquarium:
So youve recently started a new tank or added new aquatic plants or decor into your aquarium… and now you you have noticed these tiny THINGS taking over! Although they are unsightly, pests are a common nuisance in the freshwater aquarium hobby. Dont panic – theres always a solution. Lets identify the main types of pests that are commonly found in home aquariums (& how to get rid of them!)
Detritus worms are white worms that look as thin as strands of hair. They’re typically found on or in the substrate. They also can be seen wiggling through the water column in the absence of predators, but for the most part reside in the substrate. These worms are completely harmless to the tank’s inhabitants.
Detritus worms are great for the ecosystem of the aquarium because they’re detritivores, meaning they eat the decaying organics in the tank. This helps to further break down the waste, making it easier for plants to utilize it as their food source. Although, we know they can be an eyesore. Keep reading to learn how to rid of detritus worms in the aquarium.
Anubias are a popular choice for aquarium and pond plants due to their hardy nature and attractive broad leaves. However, like any plant, anubias can become plagued by pests that damage their health and appearance. By learning to identify common anubias pests and utilizing preventative measures, you can keep your anubias thriving and pest-free.
Common Pests that Affect Anubias Plants
Several pests are frequently encountered on anubias plants:
Snails
Snails, especially pond snails and ramshorn snails, are a common aquarium pest. They feed on plant tissue, leaving holes in leaves. High populations can quickly decimate anubias plants.
Algae
Excessive algal growth covers plant leaves, blocking light and hindering photosynthesis. Green spot algae and black beard algae are two types that frequently affect anubias.
Aphids
Tiny sap-sucking insects that reproduce rapidly. They secrete honeydew that promotes sooty mold growth.
Mealybugs
Small soft-bodied insects covered in white waxy powder. They extract sap, weakening plants.
Spider Mites
Tiny mites that form webs and feed on plant fluids Leaves become stippled and yellowed
Preventing Pest Infestations on Anubias
Stopping pests before they become a problem is key Useful preventative measures include
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Quarantine new plants – Isolate new plants for 2-4 weeks before introducing to check for pests,
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Practice proper aquarium maintenance – Change water regularly, trim dead plant matter, and clean equipment to maintain good water quality.
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Avoid overfeeding fish – Excess fish food increases nitrogen levels, fueling algae blooms.
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Introduce algae eaters – Snails, shrimp and algae eating fish help control algae buildup.
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Check plants frequently – Early detection of pests allows for quicker control.
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Use proper lighting – Excessive light accelerates algae growth. Reduce intensity/duration if needed.
Controlling Anubias Pest Outbreaks
If pests slip through prevention efforts, act swiftly using these methods:
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Manual removal – Remove snails and insect pests by hand or with tweezers to control small infestations.
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Algaecides – Chemical treatments containing algaecides kill existing algae and prevent recurrence. Use cautiously.
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Insecticidal soaps – Targeted soaps kill soft-bodied insects like aphids and mealybugs. Rinse plants after use.
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Biological control – Introduce predatory insects (e.g. ladybugs) or mites that feed on plant pests.
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Adjust lighting – Reduce light duration and intensity to discourage algae growth.
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Improve water flow – Increased water movement discourages algae. Direct flow along plant leaves.
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Remove affected leaves – Prune leaves covered in algae or badly damaged by pests.
Avoiding and Treating Anubias Rhizome Rot
A serious threat specific to anubias is rhizome rot. This fungal or bacterial disease causes the rhizome to turn mushy and brown or black. Leaves fall off easily and roots deteriorate. To prevent and treat it:
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Plant only the roots, keeping the rhizome above the substrate.
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Improve water circulation around the base of the plants.
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Quarantine new plants and discard any with signs of rot.
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Remove rotting sections of the rhizome using sterilized scissors or a razor.
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Apply anti-fungal treatments if rot persists after pruning.
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Discard plants if the rot cannot be halted.
Keeping Your Anubias Growing Strong
While anubias are quite hardy aquatic plants, they are still vulnerable to pest damage if proper care is not provided. Implement preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of infestations. Check plants frequently for early signs of pests. At the first sign of trouble, take prompt action to get issues under control before lasting harm is done. With proper maintenance and quick response when needed, your anubias will keep flourishing and delighting you with their lush foliage.
How to Remove/Control Their Population
1. Keep the aquarium CLEAN!
Detritus worms are named that for a reason- they eat detritus! Because of this, thoroughly cleaning the tank significantly reduces the amount of food available for them. Manually remove any algae present as well because they may feed on this too!
Make sure to do routine maintenance as slacking off may cause a spike the population! Upping your water changes (from once to twice a week for example) will help. Note that Buce Plant recommends at least one water change per week as regular maintenance for most tanks.
2. Siphon/vacuum the substrate
This will remove some of the worms and their source of food. While performing a water change, use your finger to stir up the substrate and kick up the underlying detritus as you siphon.
3. Don’t overfeed your fauna / Feed less
Forewarning: detritus worms will thrive off of the uneaten food.
Reduce fish feedings to a smaller amount once every 2 or 3 days. If you have an extreme case of overpopulation, consider feeding less in general (once a week) because its not necessary for most fish/shrimp to eat everyday.
4. Add predators
Luckily, most fish will gladly eat these worms whenever they see them! No worries, detritus worms are a healthy snack for fish. Bottom-feeders like loaches or corydoras would be especially helpful since they dig through the substrate for food, and these worms will predominantly be there.
Planaria can usually be found in two forms: white planaria (Procotyla) or black/brown planaria (Dugesia). They may look similar to detritus worms at first glance, but these flatworms can be identified by their arrow-tip shaped heads. They’re usually spotted crawling along the glass under the substrate. They move in a similar way as slugs.
Planaria are typically harmless to fish, but white planaria have been found to consume baby shrimp or even adult ones when the shrimp are vulnerable (e.g. right after molting). White planaria are carnivorous, unlike the black/brown planaria that are detritivores (i.e. eat decaying organics).
10 Organic Ways to Control Pests in the Garden
FAQ
How do you prevent algae on Anubias?
How to care for Anubias aquarium plants?
How do you treat aquarium plants for pests?
How do you stop Anubias from rotting?