Odd, worm-like creatures - can you identify?

GiddyGoat · #1 (**permalink**) 23-09-2010, 05:02 PM

I have discovered some new creatures in the deep end of my new pond, occasionally coming out from beneath a deep-water plant - can you help to identify them?

They look very like earthworms, but have been in there for at least a fortnight and are still ok and, since there's more than one, can't really be worms that have fallen in.

There are at least 2 adults - the length & girth of large earthworms, but paler and with a slightly pointed head (or rear?). I have also observed what look like 2 young - much thinner and only a couple of inches long. They all move by twisting slowly and stay on the liner at the bottom.

What are they and are they friendly?

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 23-09-2010, 05:05 PM

Can you get a photo, could be leeches or flatworms or even fly larvae.

GiddyGoat · #3 (**permalink**) 23-09-2010, 06:48 PM

Very hard because of reflections off the surface and because they are deep, but I will try. They are very long though - five inches or so.

GiddyGoat · #4 (**permalink**) 24-09-2010, 08:21 AM

Looking at existing photos on the web, they most seem to resemble equatic earthworms. Didn't know there was such a thing!

Anyone know anything about them?

Malcolm Banks · #5 (**permalink**) 24-09-2010, 04:16 PM

Yes 5" is way too long for flatworms or midge larvae but I reckon you have it with aquatic earthworms. I saw some under stones in a stream in mid-Wales a couple of months ago, don't know much about them but knew they existed from my A-level Zoology (that's going back a lot!). I didn't know they lived in still water though.
M

GiddyGoat · #6 (**permalink**) 24-09-2010, 04:21 PM

Thanks Malcolm - I will keep an eye on them for you and report back anything interesting!

Red Robin · #7 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 05:08 PM

.
Sounds very interesting, although a little scary. I hope they are friendly!

There's so much we humans don't know about other creatures.

healfdan · #8 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 07:11 PM

Check out Lumbriculus variegatus which usually burrow in the mud in standing water.

GiddyGoat · #9 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 10:06 AM

Mmmm - at first glance of web-pics, Lumbriculus Variegatus looks a good possibility, but I have read that 10cm is the max length and, even allowing for deep-water magnification, the largest of mine do look nearly double that.