ghostlycorvid
Arachnopeon
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2017
- Messages
- 12
I was peeking into one of my millipede tanks today because they'd all been burrowed for a couple days and noticed a whole bunch of little clear worms all over the walls of the tank that I'd never seen before. And now that I realize they're moving, I'm noticing a fair number in the substrate against the walls as well.
I accidentally overwatered the substrate when I first set the tank up almost two months ago, so I don't mist the tank often, but I gave it a light misting last night and I think they've been lurking in the substrate and came out because there was moisture on the walls of the tank now.
They're translucent and I thought they were plant matter until I saw them moving. About 5mm long, with tapered front and back ends. They appear to match images of nematodes, I don't believe they're fungus gnat larvae.
It's possible they are harmless soil nematodes just there to feed on fungus? Despite its high moisture, the tank doesn't really have a visible fungus problem because I've got a bunch of sow bugs in there too. I'm thinking the nematodes may have been accidentally introduced because my sow bugs were wild caught.
From reading what I could on other forum posts, I'm a bit worried. Are these nematodes a problem? Should I move the three millipedes in there out ASAP? Is there a risk of them being infected and passing it on to others? Should they be quarantined in a cup with wet paper towel? Or could they be placed in another tank with other millipedes?
I read that freezing and thoroughly cleaning any tank decoration is recommended. Is there a recommended disposal method for substrate full of nematodes? Or am I just worrying too much over something that might not be a problem?
I accidentally overwatered the substrate when I first set the tank up almost two months ago, so I don't mist the tank often, but I gave it a light misting last night and I think they've been lurking in the substrate and came out because there was moisture on the walls of the tank now.
They're translucent and I thought they were plant matter until I saw them moving. About 5mm long, with tapered front and back ends. They appear to match images of nematodes, I don't believe they're fungus gnat larvae.
It's possible they are harmless soil nematodes just there to feed on fungus? Despite its high moisture, the tank doesn't really have a visible fungus problem because I've got a bunch of sow bugs in there too. I'm thinking the nematodes may have been accidentally introduced because my sow bugs were wild caught.
From reading what I could on other forum posts, I'm a bit worried. Are these nematodes a problem? Should I move the three millipedes in there out ASAP? Is there a risk of them being infected and passing it on to others? Should they be quarantined in a cup with wet paper towel? Or could they be placed in another tank with other millipedes?
I read that freezing and thoroughly cleaning any tank decoration is recommended. Is there a recommended disposal method for substrate full of nematodes? Or am I just worrying too much over something that might not be a problem?
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