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I have a pond that I build in my backyard last summer. After receiving a plant for the biofalls filter from a friend who has a rather large pond in the country, I found several "critters" which look like a long worm with a head shaped like an arrow. They are quite long and thin, I would think between 3 inches and longer. Once this spring, I even found one in my lawn.
I am concerned that these whatever they are may be dangerous to the fish in the pond and if on the grass, can they harm my dog. I have been told they are a type of leach. WHAT ARE THEY/ ARE THEY DANGEROUS? HOW CAN I GET RID OF THEM? Someone else told me they are brought in by birds which eat the "worms" and then excrete the eggs when they visit the pond for a drink of water. I do have doves and cardinals that I have observed. I live in town and doubt that I could have had waterfowl visit the pond, but it is not out of the possibiity as there are several lakes (small) in the vicinity with houses built around, but I have seen blue heron there. Can you help me with this problem before something happens to my shubunkin and koi?
These are common freswater
flatworms called Planaria. They are harmless, but their presence
could indicate less benign critters. Salt is your answer here.
About 1.5 lbs per 100 gallons should do it. See the "Salt"
discussion in Q&A on the website.
(Answer courtesy Bob Passovoy)
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