worm

23 16:55:32

Question
My son has a small freshwater tank that currently has no fish, but has a dwarf frog and ghost shrimp. Tonight he pulled a white worm out of the tank that is the diameter of a thick hair and is about 1 1/2 inches long. What is it and is it dangerous?

Answer
Hi Bryan;

It could be a planarian or nematode. Most of these things are not harmful. If they were 'parasites' they would not be seen because they spend their adult lives inside an animal or fish. Here is a web page about one called the "horsehair worm" that I think may be it. Perhaps yours was a very young one;

http://www.des.state.nh.us/factsheets/bb/inc/50.html

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins