6 Aquarium Pests: How to Identify and Control Them

Optimum care for aquariums is a fascinating activity that leaves many people with the best enjoyment out of their pets; however, it is often jeopardized by several pests that infest the aquatic habitat. These pests can easily upset the balance of your ecosystem and affect the health of your fish and plants. The treatment of such nuisances and knowledge of how to respond appropriately is essential information for any aquarist. 

So, in this article, you will learn about 6 of the most common types of pests that might live in your aquarium and how to control them.

1. Aiptasia Anemones

Aiptasia anemones are little, transparent animals which inhabit salt-water fish farms. They may reproduce quite fast, and this makes them a problem to many in their presence. These anemones have long filled the water with stinging tentacles which are bad news for fish and invertebrates. The biggest problem with aiptasia is that if left alone it can over populate your tank very rapidly.

How to Get Rid of Aiptasia:

- Manual Removal:

 If that does not work, attempt to vacuum them out with a syringe. So don’t let any fragments get away as they are capable of reproducing.

- Peppermint Shrimp:

Incorporating peppermint shrimp is another option, because it is established that they feed on aiptasia.

- Aiptasia-Eating Filefish:

Other kinds of filefish will also feed on these parasites with good intention.

- Chemical Solutions: 

Chemicals used in commercial aiptasia kits can be employed, but care must be exercise to ensure the other organisms in the tank are not affected.

2. Snails

Thus, while some are useful in an aquarium as they feed on algae, some snails can become invasive. One such species is the Malaysian trumpet snail, which grows in numbers quickly and disrupts the substrate look. In turn, Puffer may take the same food as fish or eat fish itself revealing competition aspect.

How to Get Rid of Snails:

- Manual Removal:

Regular weekly tank cleaning including taking out snails with fingers might help minimize snails hatching.

- Trap Them:

Keep the trap and food in a shallow bowl only at night; snails will converge in considerable numbers on it.

- Add Predators:

Some fish such as the loaches are known to eat snails. However, ensure that the fish can cohabit with your other fish species because they come from similar habitats.

- Limit Feeding:

Overfeeding can increase the rate at which snail are produced hence recommend that feed be quantified.

3. Hair Algae

Hair algae refer to filamentous algae that are common in aquariums whether freshwater or saltwater ones. They appear as elongated string like structures that anchor themselves to existences within the aquarium; rocks, plants and other decorations making it an eyesore of a tank. They usually thrive in waters with high nutrient contents in this case nitrates, and phosphates majorly arising from sewage discharge.

How to Get Rid of Hair Algae:

- Water Changes:

This can be done by performing water changes as frequently as possible because this cuts down nutrient levels.

- Manual Removal:

Remove hair algae with a used toothbrush or an aquarium scrubber.

- Introduce Herbivores:

Otocinclus or some kinds of snails can be used for algae eating.

- Limit Light:

Dimming the light in your aquarium will deprive hair algae of the light source it needs in order to grow.

4. Planaria

Planaria are free living and parasitic flat worms, which could be found in the stocking table water both fresh water and salt water. Of them, none are directly dangerous to fish life, although they may serve as useful signs of overfeeding or water pollution. Planaria are high reproductive organisms, and without control, they can assume over whelming numbers.

How to Get Rid of Planaria:

- Reduce Feeding:

Modify feeding behaviors not to have much food in the substrate at any time.

- Use Traps:

The planaria is easily trapped and removed by placing food in the bait traps.

- Chemical Treatments:

 Praziquantel or copper containing solutions may help, but such preparations should be applied only in special cases when all other remedies are ineffective.

5. Ich (White Spot Disease)

Ich is a parasitic disease that renders fish to develop white spots on its body and is usually found in freshwater and saltwater fish tanks. This pest sources stress to fish and if the infestation is severe enough, it could lead to death of the fish.

How to Get Rid of Ich:

- Raise Water Temperature:

This should be done gradually so that the ich parasite’s life cycle is accelerated leading to easy eradiation.

- Salt Treatment:

Aquarium salt can be used when treating ich but some fish are very sensitive to it.

- Ich Treatments:

Treat ich with medications purchased over the counter and strictly follow the guidelines on their cartons.

6. Red Planaria

Red planaria refer to brownish to reddish flat worms, which are mostly found in poorly cleaned tanks. Like many standard types, they can signify that the aquatic community in the aquarium is out of whack.

How to Get Rid of Red Planaria:

- Same Handling as Regular Planaria:

Same to the former, minimize unnecessary food servings and clean the tanks’ substrates often.

FAQs

How do I get rid of aquarium diseases?

To eliminate pests and diseases in the aquarium, ensure you have quality water through testing and water changes frequently, for affected fish, ensure they are quarantined where required and medicated correctly. On the same note, properly maintain their tanks and do not feed them too much since this will instigate stress and diseases.

How to remove parasites from aquarium plants?

To get rid of parasites on the plants, wash the plants in a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide or perform a gentle dip in the insecticides approved for aquarium use before returning the plants to the aquarium.

How to fix algae in a fish tank?

To treat algae in fish tanks reduce the lighting, change the water from time to time, and also increase water flow.

Conclusion

Dealing with pests in your aquarium can be frustrating but with some information and act, one can have a beautiful and healthy aquatic ecosystem. Some of the requirements for a tank include; daily monitoring, maintenance, repair, and correct intervention to avoid infestation by pests.  If these common aquarium pests are identified early enough and the right measures used, your aquarium will stay healthy and thriving. Happy fishkeeping!