fish lice / cory cat

Question
QUESTION: the local pet store clerk identified some objects on the side of my tank as fish lice and recommended an api product, general cure. I currently have only 1 fish in the aquarium a 3" cory cat and a snail. I know the product is unsafe for the snail is it safe for the cory cat? also in the 50 gal tank should I treat at full dose with only 1 fish? how long should I keep the snail out and what steps should i follow before returning it to the tank?

ANSWER: Hi John:  are the worms on the side of your tank white and small? you would have to treat the tank since the infestation is in the tank...the fish will be treated along with the tank...but the snail has to come out until the medication is done and then several days have passed after you have put the carbon filter back in the tanks filter box.  Can you describe the objects to me... thanks... dave

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The objects on the side of the tank are very small and white and seem to have sort of a hallow around them. If you look very close on some of the larger ones there is a very small brown spot in them. They look kind of like a dried tomato seed only white and smaller. I can't actually see any on my cory cat.

Answer
Hi John: honestly it sounds like you have a case of Planaria.  These are small white worms that are related to a flatworm.  If that is the case they are harmless to your fish and occur in tanks were excess food has built up.  They are more of a warning indicator that you need to clean your gravel.  I have one tank in particular out of my 14 tanks that gets these worms and for years it drove me crazy...but then I realized that it is natures way of getting rid of extra food in my tank.  The problem with Planaria is that they will eat fish eggs so if you have fish that like to breed the worms have to go.  Do a google search for "planaria" and read the descriptions that you find there... tell me if you feel like this is a case of Planaria.  If you feel its something else...we can go down a list of medications that will help you... but I'd rather not put your cory cat and snail through all of that.... dave