HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Ok, so unlike the last worm false alarm this one is for real. The other day I was cleaning up some fresh food that got knocked onto the substrate and noticed it moving. Upon closer inspection I saw teeny tiny WORMS all over it. They're white, very thin, and so small they're barely visible. I've read through the bug sticky but still can't determine if they're some sort of larvae or nematodes. I tried to scoop out some substrate in that area but they're still in there. I've done my best not to freak out but I'm assuming I need to change out all of my substrate? I have possibly three molters right now so I'm a little worried to do so. And does anyone have any more suggestions as to what they might be?

On another note, I found a dead crab about a week ago that wasn't doing well when I brought him home from the store. He'd probably been in there about a month before I discovered him slightly buried under a log. Could he have possibly brought in the worms? *double puke*

What size are the worms? If they around 0.1 inches or slightly bigger? If so, how big?
To me it sounds like you have micro-worm, grindal-worms white-worms in there, could you describe them a bit more - and maybe take some pics?
If they are the worms I mention, they harmless. They'll eat "rotting" foods and can be useful in getting the store-away before they go mouldy. If you have fish, they really enjoy these buggers!

aussieJJDude wrote:What size are the worms? If they around 0.1 inches or slightly bigger? If so, how big?
To me it sounds like you have micro-worm, grindal-worms white-worms in there, could you describe them a bit more - and maybe take some pics?
If they are the worms I mention, they harmless. They'll eat "rotting" foods and can be useful in getting the store-away before they go mouldy. If you have fish, they really enjoy these buggers!

I regrettably googled grindal worms and I'd say they look similar to that. They might be slightly longer than 0.1 inches but not much (0.2 or 0.3 in) and almost transparent. I set out some fruit on the substrate so hopefully I can get you a picture by tonight! I think that might be the easiest for identification.

Honestly it sounds like some kind of fly larvae to me. Just toss the food they're in and scoop a little of the surface of the substrate around where you found the food. Gross I know, but nothing to worry about!! No need for a deep clean!

Though I admit I know nothing about the worms JJ mentioned.

Freshly hatched fruit fly larvae can look really worm like until they're able to eat and fatten up to where they look like maggots.

aussieJJDude wrote:What size are the worms? If they around 0.1 inches or slightly bigger? If so, how big?
To me it sounds like you have micro-worm, grindal-worms white-worms in there, could you describe them a bit more - and maybe take some pics?
If they are the worms I mention, they harmless. They'll eat "rotting" foods and can be useful in getting the store-away before they go mouldy. If you have fish, they really enjoy these buggers!

wodesorel wrote:Freshly hatched fruit fly larvae can look really worm like until they're able to eat and fatten up to where they look like maggots.

Ok. It seemed like they kinda died off for a bit but then reemerged tonight so I finally got some pictures. You can kind of see them all grouped together on this blueberry.
Icky.

I dunno about the fruit fly larvae. I've seen them before and these worms just look different.

IMO, they look like microworms.

Personally i wouldn't worry about it, it just shows that you have a nice/balanced tat. Similar to the springtails...

Oh wow. I probably wouldn't have noticed them! I agree, they don't look like fruit fly larvae. The good news is whatever they are, they're likely harmless since you've been finding them in the food. Removing fresh foods more often will probably help keep them in check.

A balanced wormy tat. Oh joy. Lol. They do seem to be good janitors for stray pieces of moldy food. But I'll work on not leaving fresh foods so long. Thanks for everyone's advice and preventing me from digging up molters!