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FISH PARASITE & NON PARASITE WORMS;
In Aquariums & Ponds
The Index below index breaks down the Worms into their three Phylums:
*Platyhelminthes, *Nematoda, & *Annelida
As well as information about Feeding Worms & Anchor Worms, which are not worms, rather copepod crustaceans.

• Platyhelminthes (Trematodes, Flukes, Fish Lice, Flat worms, Planaria)
  • Treatment of External Flukes, Planaria, etc
• Nematodes (Round Worms); Including Camallanus, Capillari
  • Treatment of Internal Nematodes (& some Internal Trematodes)
  • Suggested Treatments/Preventatives for Both Internal/External
• Annelids (Segmented Worms), Detritus Worms
• Anchor Worms
  • Treatment of Anchor Worms
• Hydra
• Feeding Worms including:
  • White Worms
  • Microworms
  • Walter Worms
  • Vinegar Eels)

Basics, Identification, and TREATMENT in Aquarium and Pond Fish.

Readers should note that ALL these parasites are INTRODUCED, whether by a fish directly or by an intermediate host such as a snail.
If you have had a certain fish for over a year, with no additions or possible intermediate hosts in the last six months, chances are you do not have one of these worms infestations listed. So always look for identifiable evidence of actual worms, and lacking these, utilize all circumstantial evidence to confirm otherwise, including the chances of introduction.

Otherwise, follow any circumstantial evidence that may be pointing to other copycat symptoms which may include internal Aeromonas infections, Ichthyophonus, osmoregulation issues, simple aging/genetics/earlier life trauma that injured internal organs, or quite often poor diet which can cause eventual liver & kidney damage as well as making a fish more susceptible to intestinal Aeromonas infections (which can present in feces like parasitic infections).
The bottom line without introduction in the last few months; what many might think is an internal parasite problem is very likely not and is a much more common Aeromonas bacterial infection (which is all around from the soil to your substrate and does not need introduction into the aquarium) or also quite possible, with the plethora of well marketed fish foods with poor energy levels and poor fiber contents, a nutritional issue.

Suggested Diet for CORRECT energy and fiber levels/content:
Clay Neighbor’s AAP Custom Fish Food

Information is included about non parasite Detritus Worms (commonly seen when an aquarium is cleaned or in aquariums with high bio loads and is an area with much confusion especially on the internet and often mis-identified as PLANARIA (Freshwater). More about Detritus Worms further into the article.

Information about: The Truth about Planaria in Aquariums

For information about “Whirling Disease” caused by the myxozoan parasite “Myxobolus cerebralis”, please refer to this related article from “Aquarium/Pond Answers:
Whirling Disease (Myxobolus cerebralis) in Fish

Before any aquarium/pond fish treatment it is important to know all the steps as often treatment is much more than dumping medication into an aquarium.
Please read this article before ANY aquarium treatment regimen:
Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

PLATYHELMINTHES:
(Monogenea, Trematodes/Flukes, Planarians)

Platyhelminthes consists of the unsegmented flatworms, which include both free-living and parasitic species.
These worms have bilateral symmetry, and can move by using layers of muscle or by gliding along a slime trail using cilia.
Flatworms lack a circulatory system and complete digestive system, instead flatworms absorb nutrients through their skin and excrete wastes using specialized “flame cells”.
*Flame cells function like a kidney, removing waste materials.

A few flatworms have primitive light-sensing “eyes” that allow them to move either towards or away from light, while other species have different types of sensors on their bodies, including chemical, balance, and water movement receptors. Most species of flatworms reproduce both sexually and asexually.

The trematodes belong to the Animal Kingdom Phylum Platyhelminthes, and are commonly referred to as flukes.
Trematodes usually have flattened bodies, a primitive digestive system, suckers for attachment to their hosts, and are hermaphrodites (an organism that possesses both male and female sex organs).

The Monogenea are the class ectoparasites that infect fish.

Planaria are both marine and freshwater and can be parasitic, but this is generally rare and the few that are, generally are parasitic toward corals, eggs or other stationary “victims”.
See the section on Detritus Worms for more about Planaria since these are all too often confused with Detritus worms even though a completely different Phylum of worms.

INTERNAL TREMATODES:

Internal Flukes generally use intermediate hosts such as snails or other mollusks. The eggs must get into water in order to hatch and be able to infect their first host, a freshwater snail. The fluke develops in the snail and then burrows out to seek the second host which is a freshwater fish. Many species of snail and fish may carry these internal flukes.

– Here is a dissected fish displaying a serious internal Trematodes infection.

GILL FLUKES:

Gill flukes (Dactylogyrus) will appear on the gill filaments as tiny dark spots 0.04-0.08 inches (1-2mm) long.
Gill flukes can infect freshwater and saltwater fish and are found on fish from the wild as well as farmed fish.

These parasites attach to the gills of the fish and feed on mucus, epithelial cells (cells that line the inside of gills and perform the tasks of secretion, absorption, protection, and transcellular transport), and blood from the host.

The pictures above display first a standard microscopic slide of an isolated gill fluke and then to the right a Scanning Electron Microscope view of a gill fluke attached to gill filaments.

It is noteworthy that 100% positive identification with the naked eye is impossible.
Other than scraping the gills (which can be fatal to the fish) and then preparing a slide, your best recourse is an “educated guess” based on redness in the gills (which can be other issues too such as ammonia poisoning burns), and scraping (flashing) of the fish against objects in the aquarium or pond in the area of the gills.
In fact in the absence of this “flashing”, odds are the redness is bacterial (often Columnaris) or inflammation from ammonia poisoning (past or more likely present)

More about Gill Flukes;
Much of the mucus being produced by the fish is in response to the physical injury caused by the parasites.
Damage is physical and inflammatory, with secondary bacterial infections such as septicemia. Small or weak fish may die from the stress of acute infestations.

Gill flukes reproduce via eggs that drop away to hatch in about 2 to 4 days depending upon temperature.

The hatchling Dactylogyrus is ciliated similar to a paramecium. Once a host is found the water-borne Dactylogyrus larvae has eye spots that enable it to swim away from light and burrow into the fishes’ gill cover as the fish respires.
From my experience in a healthy aquarium or pond, even if one or two fish in the aquarium/pond have a large enough parasite infection to be irritated, if the larva fails to find a host, it dies.

However in poorly filtered and/or crowded ponds or in particular aquariums, these conditions increase the likelihood the larva will find a host. Once attached, it may take a week to mature and start producing eggs.
The adult Gill Fluke is assumed to only live 5-10 days.
Improving filtration and over crowding is as important as treatment.

With larger ponds, generally isolating the fish in a tub or small “play pool” is all that is necessary for treatment, assuming crowding and filtration is not a problem or improved.

Common aquarium carriers of gill flukes include: Plecostomus, Otocinclus, Corydoras, Koi, Discus, Characins, livebearers (Poeciliidae), some tetras (Characins) and Barbs (Cyprinidae), and Elephant Nose (Gnathonemus petersi).

For more about Monogeneans Flukes, which are a group of parasites best described as flatworms but are now considered a different class from Trematodes, please see these articles:
*Monogenean Parasites, Marine Fish
*Monogenean Parasites in Fish

FISH LICE (Argulus):

These are often round, flat and green.

They are similar in treatment to flukes and anchor worms. These can be physically removed with tweezers, and then the wound treated with Mebromin, hydrogen peroxide or even Neosporin followed by a 30 minute Methylene Blue Bath.
Reference: Fish Baths; Basic Ingredients, Methylene Blue

MARINE FLATWORMS:
The Acoel flatworms commonly observed are “Redbugs” or “Red Planaria”, of which the genus Convolutriloba is a member as in the picture to the left of Convolutriloba retrogemma.

While Convolutriloba retrogemma are often blamed for coral attacks, in reality this is rare. Rather, they breed rapidly and reproduce either sexually, laying eggs or by the asexual processes of fission/ budding where the worm simply splits up, producing a bud that forms a new worm.
Therein lies the problem: the flatworms crawl along the coral in search of food and, as they rapidly multiply, they block the coral’s light as well as hamper nematocyst capture of the coral’s prey. The coral is thus deprived of symbiotic nutrient nourishment, as well as planktonic food, and slowly starves to death.

The use of “Reef Dip” or a freshwater dip of corals or similar is the best prevention for these flatworms.

Where to purchase: *SeaChem Reef Dip

Treatments for External Flukes or Worms (including Flatworms/Planaria):

• • Clout/Dylox
    Clout, Dylox (AAP Dyacide) and other “in tank” treatments are often more effective when accompanied by baths or dips, as well, if a parasite such as a camalanus worm is exposed, treatment is often more effective.Where to purchase:
    AAP Dyacide (Dylox)For marine applications, I generally will treat twice with a water change and carbon treatment in between.
    ALL invertebrates should be removed during treatment (Corals, Shrimp, Anemones, etc.).
    Prior to re-introduction to the treated aquarium, all corals should be dipped in pH stabilized freshwater for 25 to 45 seconds.
    A standard dose of Potassium Permanganate or AAP Dyacide or Clout can be added to this dip for extra measure.

    This can also be used for nematodes, camalanus worms, or internal protozoans; although sometimes multiple dosages may be required.

• • PraziPro
    This can be used as either a bath (as well as mixed with Methylene Blue) or ‘in-tank. treatment.
    This is highly effective when used as directed for external parasites
    Mild effectiveness for internal parasites*Methylene Blue from AAP
  • Trichlorfon

• AAP Potassium Permanganate

NEMATODES:
(Round Worms)

Nematodes, also known as Roundworms, are a very common phyla of animals of which there are many parasitic forms. Nematodes are one of the simplest animal groups to have a complete digestive system, with a separate orifice for food intake and waste excretion unlike the Trematodes mentioned above. Reproduction is usually sexual and males are usually smaller than females.

Parasitic Nematodes can have quite complicated life cycles, moving between several different hosts or even locations in the host’s body.

If the Nematode has a direct life cycle, then it does not need an intermediate host and infection can spread directly from one fish to another by means of a fish ingesting of eggs or larvae.

If the Nematode has an indirect life cycle the nematode eggs or larvae enter an invertebrate intermediate host (such as copepod, tubiflex worm, or insect larva) or a fish intermediate host (these fish are then consumed by larger carnivorous fish) prior to being eaten by or entering the final host fish.

Indications (Diagnosis) of Nematode Infestation:
A method of diagnosing a nematode problem is generally just a guess. This is particularly plausible when a fish is eating regularly yet continues to lose weight, metabolizing body musculature to stay alive.
This is usually seen as thinning along the back on either side of the dorsal fin. This often results in a well-fed fish starving to death.

White feces can also be an identification tool, however this can be misleading as to a true Nematode (worm) infestation, as long thin white feces along with bloating are just as often an indicator of a bacterial infection; generally Aeromonas or possibly a digestive issue.
This can also be an indicator of a combination bacterial (again Aeromonas) and protozoan Flagellate infection, usually Hexamita.
Loss of appetite along with the other mentioned symptoms (such as thick white feces, along with some bloating on one side or both of the fish) can also be an indicator of a Nematode infection, especially a Eustrongylid nematode infestation.

Much More Information:
Gram negative, Aeromonas Infections in Fish

Generally a more positive identification of internal Nematodes is a thread like worm protruding from the anus.

True identification begins with a microscope (& often requires a necropsy of the fish after death).
Nematodes are smooth, cylindrical, relatively long worms, which distinguishes them from the flatter, segmented tapeworms and from the wider and shorter Monogenea Flukes.

Here is a list of some other general symptoms of nematode infections (besides the above already mentioned symptoms):

• Body Hemorrhaging
• Lumps or nodules on outer body (epidermis)
• Bloated or the opposite, wasting of the abdomen (the fish may continue to eat or show otherwise normal behavior).
  It is noteworthy that bloating in particular is generally a better indicator of a gut infection such as caused by Aeromonas Bacteria and/or a poorly functioning digestive system (which could also be the result of poor fish osmoregulation)
• Cysts, Inflammation, or Granulomas

A Few Common Nematodes:

Capillaria/Capillari.

These are probably the most common nematode due to the relatively non-complex life cycle and ease of transmission, as Capillaria spread from one fish to another by ingestion of infective larvae that live in the intestines of cichlids such as angelfish, discus, gouramis, tetras, cyprinids (and some other fish as well).
This is often referred to as “Gourami Disease” due to the frequency of infection in Gouramis

Symptoms common to this particular nematode include a bulge in the lower abdomen near the vent, or Capillari worms protruding from the anus.

Eustrongylid nematodes.

These are found in muscle within the body cavity or encapsulated on the liver and other organs. These nematodes can affect a number of different species such as guppies, gar, danios, angelfish and other cichlids.

Affected fish typically have bloated abdomens (similar to dropsy of bacterial origin), as these nematodes often migrate into the body cavity and can be quite large.
Unfortunately the treatment of these Nematodes usually fails due to the location of the larvae within the coelomic cavity or in the muscle of the fish, which is often misdiagnosed as bacterial Dropsy leading to the somewhat misleading statements that “Dropsy is un-treatable” when in fact the problem was NEVER Dropsy!

Reference: Dropsy in Fish

Camallanus Nematodes.

These infect the gastrointestinal tract of live-bearers, cichlids and other species of freshwater fish.

Symptoms (but not necessarily proof of infection):

• Usually, the first CLEAR indication of infection is a red worm extending from the anus of a fish (sometimes mistaken for feces).
• Scoliosis; Lateral curvature of the spine
• The lower part of the fish’ body is hollow and wasted
• Parasite infested fish show very slow or no growth, as parasite is taking the food.
• Fish is fading away, looks as if it is starving to death.

The life cycle of Camallanus worms passes through three phases;

1. A free-living stage
2. A series of molts during which time the worms infect an intermediate host (crustaceans such as Cyclops and Gammarus)
3. Then another molt that takes place in the final host/fish.

If the intermediate host crustacean is eaten by a fish, then the third-stage larvae becomes active and will start feeding again.
After two more molts, it will become a sexually mature male or female adult worms.
These are the distinctive red worms aquarists see protruding from the vents of infected aquarium fish.

One exception is the Camallanus cotti which has the ability to skip this stage, if a suitable crustacean host is not available. However there still needs to be a pathway to infection, which still often can rule out reinfection. Consumption of an infected fish by a tank mate or ingestion of feces produced by infected fish are possible modes of continuing the life cycle and thus reinfection. Removal of dead fish and other methods of consumption along with isolation and quick clean up of any and all feces should break this life cycle from my experience.

TREATMENTS for Internal Trematodes and Nematodes:

Before you treat, I suggest reading this article also from the “Aquarium/Pond Answers library:
Fish Diseases | How to Treat Sick Fish

The above article is very helpful in that often even milder mediations are much more effective when ALL PARAMETERS are spot on.
In particular, I have seen the relatively mild Metronidazole/Praziquantel combination work well for Camallanus worms when parameter are spot on (this includes a balanced Redox by keeping oxidative stress as low as possible) and not work at all when these are not.
This why we need to be careful with anecdotal advice when it comes to statements that “Metronidazole/Praziquantel will not work”, as when we dig deeper as per my long time experience with fish treatments, we will often find that there is a reason the treatment failed, and it was not the medication.

• • Metronidazole is a mild treatment parasitic worm treatment that is most effective for single cell parasites such as flagellates (examples include Giardia), but it can be even more effective when combined with SeaChem ParaGuard in tank and/or then used as a medicated food soak combined with Praziquantel (do not use ParaGaurd as part of the fish food soak).
    The use of Metronidazole has the added benefit in that it is effective for anaerobic internal infections, common to the gut.Reference:
    *Aquarium Medications; Food Delivery of Medications
    *What Are the Treatments for Intestinal Parasites in Humans (while not aimed at fish treatment, much more research goes into human worm treatment, so still worth a read)Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby::
    *AAP Metronidazole
    *AAP ParaGuard

• • Praziquantel; this product works in part by paralyzing the parasites, thus allowing the host to more easily shed the parasite both internally and externally.
    Generally only one treatment is needed (if fed, two to three times in one day), although re-treatment 5-7 days days later of a product containing Praziquantel is required.
    Praziquantel along with Metronidazole are a couple of the safer medications you can use for your fish to treat parasites, both internal & external (& more effective when combined).
  • AAP General Cure
    General Cure (which contains Praziquantel, Metronidazole) can be used as a medicated fish food soak for internal parasites.
    Jungle/Tetra Parasite Guard is similar (it contains Praziquantel, Metronidazole, Acriflavin, Diflubenzuron).
    Of the two, General Cure is the better choice since Acriflavin & Diflubenzuron are intended only for external parasites (of which this is the better product for external parasites/worms).General Cure can be used as a medicated fish food soak by using 1/2 a packet for an average 60 gallon bio load medicated fish preparation. Fish food should be soaked for 15 minutes. After soak, pour entire contents into aquariumRecommended Product Source that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby:
    *AAP General Cure

• • Levamisol Once one of the more popular treatments for nematodes, but increasingly harder to find due to many safety concerns which includes the fact it is much more dangerous than others listed here when over dosed or even used normally as it can cause serious liver and blood issues. Even in doses needed to treat internal worms, “Neutropenia” may result which then results in the fish being more susceptible to bacterial infections.
    Levamisol is best used as part of a blend, such as in AAP Discomed where overdosing is nearly impossible since it is part of synergistic blend, otherwise use it as a treatment as a last resort due to the problems it can cause with the fish immune system, especially if over dosed accidentally.
    AAP Discomed contains Levamisol, Neomycin, Magnesium Sulfate, NaCl, & PiperazineRecommended Resource: AAP Discomed (Fish Food Soak) This is the strongest yet safest internal parasite fish food soak medication available anywhere! This is a product NO SERIOUS AQUARIUM KEEPER SHOULD BE WITHOUT IN THEIR ARSENAL!See this article for use and cautions:
    Aquatic Medications #3; chemical and parasite treatments

    Treat with Levimisol once followed by a water change and treatment in 3-7 days. Treat a third time after 1-2 weeks following the second treatment.
    Be careful, as Levamisol can kill many worms quickly, which with most internal nemtode infections is not an issue since they are not generally widespread. HOWEVER with use for widespread worm infestations, this can be a problem which is why this should NEVER be used to kill Detritus Worms (often misidentified as Planaria)

    Here is a source for Levamisol:
    https://www.inkmkr.com/Fish/ItemsForSale.html

• • Piperazine An especially good choice for Capillari and a safer choice than Levimisol or Fenbendazole if you can find it. It is also more effective than Praziquantel.
    The reason Piperazine is safer is that it works via anthelmintic action (used to expel or destroy parasitic worms in the gastro-intestinal tract).
    The mode of action is generally by paralysing parasites, which allows the host body to easily remove or expel the invading organism.
    For this reason, Piperazine is gentler on the fish and aquatic environment.
    Reference: Aquarium Medications Part 3; PiperazineRecommended Resource for Fresh Piperazine:
    *AAP Piperazine/Pipzine
    *AAP Discomed (Fish Food Soak)

• • Fenbendazole; Commonly sold as a dog de-wormer and has a wide range of internal worms it will kill. It works by interrupting the parasites’ cellular transport and metabolism.
    Fenbendazole can be mixed with fish foods, but often flavor enhancers such as AAP Garlic Guard are needed to hide this medication so that fish will accept the food “spiked” with Fenbendazole.
    Do not combine with PraziquantelDo not use if your fish has any bleeding issues, as Fenbendazole can inhibit red blood cell production

• • Combinations such as the above mentioned AAP General Cure that have Metronidazole as an ingredient as this medication is often effective for secondary bacterial infections such as Aeromonas and even better for possible Hexamita infestations of the gut, as witnessed in a white feces diagnosis where the aquarist is unsure of whether this is a worm or Aeromonas/Hexamita infection.
    Adding Neomycin to the Fish Food soak may help with secondary infections and/or gut infections while adding Nitrofurazon or even stronger AAP Spectrogram to external “in-tank” or hospital/bath treatments can help with secondary infections, especially Aeromonas infections.Recommended Product Sources:
    *AAP Discomed (contains Levamisol, Neomycin, Magnesium Sulfate, NaCl, & Piperazine)
    *AAP Yellow Powder- Premium Nitrofurazone
    *AAP Spectrogram; Kanamycin/Nitrofurazone Wide Spectrum Combination
    *AAP Neomycin

• • Epsom Salts; While not a treatment, the use of pure Epsom Salts (do not use scented products such as Lavender Epsom Salt) can help with passage of the parasite when used in a bath and or a fish food soak.For a fish food soak (along with medications such as General Cure), I suggest 1/8- 1/4 tsp of epsom salt along for every ounce of food prepared.The addition of AAP/SeaChem Garlic Guard to this fish food preparation can further help with palatability.
    Recommended Product Source:
    *AAP/SeaChem Garlic Guard

For BOTH Internal and External Nematode/Trematode Treatment

• • Medicated 30 minute baths using Methylene Blue, Aquarium Salts, as well as the antibiotics such as Metronidazole or Nitrofurazone at double normal recommended tank strength; This will aid in absorption of medications and osmoregulation that is VERY important, especially with internal parasite infestations which are difficult to treat even with strong medications.
    The Methylene Blue will be absorbed and aid in oxygen delivery although it is only mildly effective against the parasites, Methylene Blue aids in the fish’ general health.

• • A good follow up treatment as well as preventative which also improves fish immune resistance via improved Redox Balance (lowering oxidative stress) would be an AAP Medicated Wonder Shell.
    The AAP Medicated Wonder Shell is also a good part of a everything but the kitchen sink type treatment when it is not clear whether the problem is nematodes or an internal gut infectionsIf a medicated fish food soak is being used, the Medicated Wonder Shell would also be useful as an in-tank treatment to fight infection and improve fish immunity.Product Resource:
    AAP Medicated Wonder Shells

• Berberine (Oregon Grape Root Powder): While a new use in the aquarium hobby, growing evidence for the use of Berberine best found in Oregon Grape Root is growing in human studies. Since more funding is available for human studies, this often makes these studies more valuable and accurate.
  “Berberine has demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against a variety of organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminths, and chlamydia. Currently, the predominant clinical uses of berberine include bacterial diarrhea, intestinal parasite infections, and ocular trachoma infections.”
  Reference: Berberine; US Library of MedicineAnother benefit of the use of Oregon Grape Root as a source of Berberine is this herbal treatment can work with many other standard treatments such as Metronidazole to improve effectiveness.Current suggested use is 400 mg of power per 10 gallons of water and used as a additional treatment in aquariums and fish baths, not the sole treatment.

  Further Reference: Aquarium Medications Part 4; Oregon Grape Root

Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby::
*AAP Yellow Powder- Premium Nitrofurazone
*Methylene Blue from AAP
*AAP Medicated Wonder Shells

How to perform a Medicated Fish Bath:
*Medicated Fish Baths; Dips, Swabs

Salt is advised not only in the baths at 1-2 teaspoons per gallon, but also in the display or quarantine tank at 1 teaspoon per gallon to 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons as this will also aid in mucous generation and the movement of fluids inside the body cavity (osmoregulation).
Correct Calcium Levels are also important for osmoregulation that will aid the fish in “battling” a parasite infestation (especially internal).

Also see these article for more about medicated baths & fish quarantine:
“Aquarium Disease Prevention; Quarantine, Baths”

Prevention is the BEST treatment for Nematodes, Marine Flatworms, and Flukes, especially Internal Nematodes

This is accomplished by regular water changes, the purchase of fish from a known quality resource, removal of the final host (in the case of Eustrongylid nematodes; birds and pond sanitation), or any intermediate hosts (tubiflex worms or other oligochaetes).

It is noteworthy that many (if not most) fish farms are located OUTDOORS, so the spread of nematodes via intermediate and finals hosts is easier than one may think. Knowing your source for your pet fish is very helpful as often many internal nematodes will not show symptoms in fish for over 30 days after arrival in your aquarium.

A final note as to treatment of nematodes in particular is that nematode infestations are generally internal, making treatment and medication “delivery” very difficult. More so with Eustrongylid nematodes since they are found in difficult to deliver mediation internal body locations.
My point here is, hopefully one can start treatment early or prevent an infestation altogether, however from my experience this is not a “real world” expectation as I have often failed to detect and treat with success (assuming it was treatable in the first place), so one should not be too hard on failures in treating internal Nematodes, as I have had my share of both successes and failures even under the good care.

Annelids “Segmented Worms” – Including:
DETRITUS WORMS

The annelids are the phylum of segmented worms which include earthworms. Most annelids are NOT purely aquatic in fresh water; the annelids found in freshwater are all oligochaetes (which means “few-bristled”) and are not very important in the freshwater ecology as are their marine cousins, the polychaetes (which means “multi-bristled”).
All the oligochaete worms are hermaphrodites (an organism that posses both male and female genitalia) and many are nearly microscopic.

Detritus Worms (from the group of worms called Oligochaetes, sub group naidid worms) are often misidentified in the aquarium hobby as Planaria without close inspection by many internet articles such as about.com.

Many of these worms are accidentally introduced by live plants, gravel (especially in the case of common Detritus Worms) live fish foods, and even brought in with fish transfers.
(Click picture to enlarge)

Many not familiar with Detritus worms will label these as everything from midge larvae, Planaria, to baby earthworms, of which none is true. They are very common and most often seen during vacuuming and other cleaning procedures.

These worms generally are not a problem and often go un-noticed living in the gravel aiding in breakdown of wastes, however high numbers of particular species can indicate low oxygen levels, cloudy water, poor Redox and low filter productivity.
This very often suggests some degree of pollution caused by poor cleaning procedures, over crowding, over feeding and poor filtration.

When the population explodes these worms often leave the gravel and cling to the sides, usually close to the surface as oxygen depletion due to the cumulative affects of increased organic mulm (often resulting with pH/KH drops, higher nitrates, poor Redox Balance), cloudy water and simply too many Detritus worms. This then drives them from the oxygen poor gravel where they normally hide/exist.
It is when these worms are crawling up the sides that most aquarium keepers take note, often not realizing that these worms have been present for some time living quietly in the aquarium substrate before a population explosion and often subsequent oxygen depletion drives them into the open.

Do NOT make the mistake of treating with Levamisol to rid your tank of Detritus Worms (aka false Planaria) as so many forums and websites advice.
I know for a fact that the die off can kill off many fish and that simply taking care of the cause of the worm population “explosion” will remedy this issue!!!

Please reference these sources for even more identification (and further information so as to dispel the internet aquarium myth that these are Planaria):
Detritus Worms/Planaria in Aquariums
The above article is THE article to read on the subject!

Other Reference:
*Aquatic Worms

“Detritus Worms” include these:

As stated earlier, control of these detritus (composting) worms is brought about by good vacuuming procedures, proper feeding, good filtration, lowering bio load, and addition of fish that will eat these.

This is a Planaria (a flat worm, not an Annelid)!
(click to enlarge)

ANCHOR WORMS:

Anchor Worms as seen to the left are a genus of copepod crustaceans (Species Lernea) that are parasitic to freshwater fish, especially coldwater fish often raised in ponds such as Goldfish.
I also have personally caught Trout that have been covered in Anchor Worms, but it is noteworthy that these trout were in a small, man made lake that by late spring is too warm for Trout to live in.
The point about the trout is applicable to the many anchor worm infestations I have dealt with in goldfish, in that it was much more common in warm or warming months where water temperatures are higher than is best for goldfish, @ 80F or higher.

The Anchor Worm is not always noticeable as pictured here, often it starts out as a small red sore. These red sores then multiply followed by small thread like protrusions that are the anchor worm.

Other common symptoms include frequent rubbing/flashing, inflammation on the body of the fish, and generally lethargy of the fish such as sitting on the bottom or floating on the surface of the water.

TREATMENT:
Best treatment is to use tweezers to remove the worm from the fish.
The fish should be gently cradled in the palm of your hand so as to not injure the fish as a net can. After removal, the wound SHOULD/MUST BE treated/swabbed with Merbromin/AAP Wound Control (Best to prevent an infection), Methylene Blue (2nd choice), or Hydrogen Peroxide (3rd choice).

If the Anchor Worm cannot be removed (or you are uncomfortable doing so), this is especially true with very small anchor worms, a direct swab of 50% water Potassium Permanganate & water directly on the worm should be performed followed by a rinse then a swab with Merbromin (AAP Wound Control).

With either procedure, a bath should also follow that consists of AAP Nitrofuracin Green, OR Methylene Blue, Salt, Nitrofurazone, & possibly Metronidazole.

Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby::
*AAP Wound Control (Merbromin)
*AAP Nitrofuracin Green- Full Spectrum Treatment
*AAP Yellow Powder- Premium Nitrofurazone
*AAP MethyBlu PREMIUM Methylene Blue (Best version)
*Kordon Methylene Blue from AAP
*AAP Potassium Permanganate (Clear Water)

For serious infections and to prevent reinfestation, an in tank treatment with AAP Dyacide or Clout (Dimilin is similar), OR Pimpzine OR a Super Ich Plus (or ParaGuard, but not as strong)/Furan 2 combination can be used, OR General Clear, OR PraziPro (this is in order of strength).

AAP Dyacide or Clout (Clout is no longer available) are about the only treatments that will kill the Anchor worms while still actually on the fish, otherwise most medications kill Anchor Worms in the free swimming stage.

If a secondary infection is also present (which is common), such as red sores, a combination of AAP ParaGuard and Triple Sulfa OR AAP Furan 2 is often the best choice (beside the before mentioned physical removal and baths)

As part of the lifecycle, the female anchor worm will release her eggs into the water when they are about to hatch into free swimming larvae. These larvae will swim about for up to a week looking for a fish to attach itself to. If they don’t attach themselves in this period of time they will die off. So interrupting this is generally essential for a full “cure”.
This means healthy aquarium conditions, including optimizing ALL water parameters along with water changes.
A medicated fish food using your current fish food soaked with AAP Discomed may help further along with AAP Pipzine, Prazipro or General Cure in the aquarium (Pipzine being the first choice).
More about optimum aquarium care: AQUARIUM DISEASE PREVENTION; Steps to a Healthy Aquarium & Sick Fish

Beware of non aquarium professionals often in social media forums that will recommend herbal products such as Microbe-Lift Herbtana & Artemiss. There are no published ingredients from these discount seller products and more importantly these products negatively affect your aquarium’s Redox balance which would be the last thing you would want to do with a fish suffering from an Anchor Worm infestation especially one that is accompanied by sores and/or Septicemia.
Reference: Aquarium Medications Part 4; Microbe-Lift Herbtana & Artemiss

As well, beware of discounters such as Amazon selling products containing diflubenzuron (Dimilin).
With diflubenzuron, fish have been shown to accumulate diflubenzuron at a rate 76 and 99 times greater than the water content in the gills and liver which can affect long term fish health.

Recommended Product Sources that support this FREE Information and the Aquarium/Pond Keeping Hobby:
*AAP Dyacide (Dylox)
*AAP Pipzine
*AAP Discomed
*AAP Super Ich Plus
*AAP ParaGuard
*AAP Yellow Powder- Premium Nitrofurazone

A follow up in tank treatment with a Medicated Wonder Shell can be helpful too, regardless whether a previously mentioned strong in tank treatment was used or not.

Where to purchase: *Medicated Wonder Shells

HYDRA:

These small invertebrates are closely related to jellyfish and coral, which prey on small fish, shrimp, etc. While Hydra appear quite small and undefined in shape, they are simply small adult predatory animals.
Hydra have a tubular-like physique and measure just about a few millimeters. They possess one sticky foot on one side of the lower part their body, with several tentacles forming the other end of their body.
These tentacles have stinging cells which are capable of immobilizing their prey.
Hydra can take out prey close to their own size and their quick reproduction allows for the quick spread of Hydra.

Generally Hydra are accidentally introduced into an aquarium by many different means, often without the the unsuspecting aquarium keeping even knowing.
Plants or other bio introductions from a pond sources are common sources of introduction.

TREATMENT FOR HYDRA:
Many have successfully used fish such as blue or gold gouramis as well as paradise fish and sometimes mollies too to eat hydra (although this often does not completely rid your aquarium of these pests).

Generally chemical treatment is the best method of treatment, but can treatments that are effective generally will kill shrimp, snails, and similar invertebrates.
Be careful of using Dog wormers as is often suggested, as while these can be quite effective, these also can remain toxic to your aquarium environment.
Better is something intended for the aquarium environment that degrades quickly such as Clout or AAP Dyacide (unfortunately Clout has been discontinued).
Thorough water changes after use is also a must to keep down a possible spike in the nitrogen cycle.

Resource: *AAP Dyacide (Dylox)

WORMS USED AS FISH FOOD

Annelids:

Whiteworms (Enchytraeus albidus):
These are worms commonly used in feeding for larger fish; for instance, Gouramis and Cory cats love Whiteworms. Microworms (which are Nematodes not Annelids as are Whiteworms) are used for fry.
What we typically refer to as a “white worm” in the aquarium hobby is a segmented round worms (Annelids) that are closely related to the earthworm from the family enchytraeids. Whiteworms are an excellent food source for many amphibians and other aquatic creatures.

These worms can reach over 1 cm or more long. They are NOT a parasite danger to fish or other inhabitants of aquariums and are often seen wiggling up the sides or even at the surface. Whiteworms are basically a worm of de-composition and can multiply rapidly when over feeding is a problem. At this point the biggest danger is oxygen depletion from over population of these worms and a good vacuuming is in order. Many a customer has called or written me about these worms worrying that they have a parasite problem when in reality these worms are good for composting and are at worst an indicator of too much decomposing food and other organic debris.

Grindal worms

Nematodes

MicroWorms:
All the worms that fall under the popular term of Microworms are Nematodes (roundworms) and include Vinegar Eels, and Walter Worms. Microworms (Panagrellus Redivivus) are non parasitic and small (0.5 – 1.5 mm.) worms, which make excellent supplementary live food for fry which are either too big for infusoria or have outgrown the infusoria stage.

Walter worms:

Walter Worms are about half the size of the Microworm. These are recommended for feeding the very smallest fry. Walter worms generally live in the water longer than the Microworm.

Vinegar Eels

Vinegar Eels are also a nematode are readily cultured in large numbers, provided certain procedures are followed. These worms (also nematodes) are a little smaller than micro-worms, a great size for most baby fish. The worms must be grown in natural cider vinegar that has not been chemically treated to inhibit the growth of bacteria or yeast upon which the worms feed. Advantages of Vinegar eels is they do not breath oxygen so don’t create any problems in the fish tank, live a long time in the aquarium, and swim in the water column and stay towards the surface.

References:
*Camallanus (Camallanus cotti & C.lacustris)
*The Worms
*Whiteworms
*Microworms (Panagrellus redivivus)
*Platyhelminthes
*https://www.inkmkr.com/Fish/CamallanusTreatment/ *University of Florida; Nematode Infections in Fish

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A terrarium is a self-sustaining miniature ecosystem, capturing a slice of nature within glass. With the right conditions, terrariums can last for years, creating a thriving environment for plants to grow with minimal maintenance. But just how long can a terrarium live? Some have been known to survive for decades, even over a century, without intervention. The longest-living terrarium on record has been growing strong for more than 60 years, proving that with the right balance of water, light, and airflow, a terrarium can thrive indefinitely.

In 1960, David Latimer planted a tiny garden inside of a large glass bottle and sealed it shut. He opened the bottle 12 years later in 1972 to add some water and then sealed it for good. The self contained ecosystem has flourished for nearly 60 years.
For those who are wondering how this is even possible: the garden is a perfectly balanced and self-sufficient ecosystem. The bacteria in the compost eats the dead plants and breaks down the oxygen that is released by the plants, turning it into carbon dioxide, which is needed for photosynthesis. The bottle is essentially a microcosm of earth.

the plant used in this long experiement is tradescantia

The World’s Oldest Terrarium

The longest-living closed terrarium was planted by David Latimer in 1960. He sealed the glass container in 1972, and since then, it has remained almost completely untouched. Despite being watered only twice in over 50 years, the terrarium has continued to thrive. The plants inside recycle nutrients through a self-sustaining water and air cycle, proving how resilient a closed ecosystem can be.

The Glass Container and Initial Setup

Latimer used a 10-gallon glass carboy, a large, globular glass jug originally intended for storing liquids. On Easter Sunday in 1960, he carefully placed composted soil at the base of the carboy, along with a small amount of water. To plant the cuttings inside, he used a piece of wire to lower them through the narrow opening. The jar was sealed with a greased cork stopper, ensuring an airtight environment. Twelve years later, in 1972, Latimer decided to open the bottle just once to add a bit more water. Since then, the terrarium has remained sealed, functioning entirely as a self-sustaining ecosystem without any outside interference.

The Self-Sustaining Ecosystem

Inside the carboy, the spiderwort plant (Tradescantia) has thrived by cycling water, nutrients, and air. The plant’s leaves release moisture through transpiration, which condenses on the inside walls of the glass and falls back into the soil creating a miniature water cycle. The fallen leaves decompose naturally, providing essential nutrients for continued growth.

Despite being completely sealed, the ecosystem continues to regulate itself. During the day, the spiderwort undergoes photosynthesis, producing oxygen, while at night, it consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. The balance of gases, along with decomposing organic matter, has allowed the terrarium to sustain itself for over 60 years.

David Latimer’s Perspective

Latimer originally created the terrarium as an experiment, inspired by the bottle garden craze of the 1960s. He never expected it to last for decades but was fascinated by its self-sustaining nature. The terrarium has been kept in the same spot in his home, about six feet from a window, where it receives only indirect sunlight. Occasionally, he rotates the bottle to ensure even light exposure, but otherwise, it requires no care. Over the years, the terrarium has drawn interest from scientists and gardening enthusiasts alike. It has been cited as an example of how plants could sustain themselves in closed environments, similar to the concept of self-sustaining life support systems in space exploration.

Latimer’s Own Reflections and Statements

David Latimer has shared his personal impressions of the terrarium in various interviews, especially after the story caught public attention around 2013. For many years, the bottle garden quietly sat in his home (in the hallway under the stairs) without fanfare. Latimer eventually sent a photograph of the flourishing sealed garden to the BBC Radio program “Gardener’s Question Time” in the early 2010s, asking the panel of experts if his bottle garden was of any scientific or horticultural interest. This sparked media interest in his experiment – soon reporters and scientists were inquiring about the 50-year-old terrarium. The story was covered in major outlets like The Daily Mail and The Times, and Latimer, then about 80 years old, gave interviews describing the history of his unique houseplant.

It’s true that Latimer created a self-sustaining ecosystem inside a sealed bottle in 1960 that survived for more than half a century.

In speaking about his sealed terrarium, Latimer has emphasized how effortless its care really is. He has called it “the definition of low-maintenance,” noting that he’s “never pruned it” and essentially does nothing beyond occasional turning of the bottle. The plant seems to have self-regulated its growth once it filled the space, so there’s little for a gardener to do. In fact, Latimer humbly admitted that the bottled garden is “incredibly dull and doesn’t really do anything” on a day-to-day basis there are no dramatic changes to observe in a given week or month. However, he remains deeply proud and fascinated by its long-term survival. Latimer has expressed excitement to see “just how long it will last,” keeping the experiment going for as long as possible.

Now in his old age, he has even joked about the terrarium outliving him. He hopes to pass on this living bottle garden to his children in the future – and if his family isn’t interested in keeping it, Latimer has said he would like to donate the terrarium to the Royal Horticultural Society so that it can continue to be cared for and studied by others. Through his interviews and statements, David Latimer comes across as a pleasantly surprised caretaker: he started the project out of simple curiosity, and decades later he is as amazed as anyone that his sealed bottle terrarium is still green and thriving. It stands as a testament to nature’s resilience and the elegance of closed ecosystems, all born from one man’s idle experiment back in 1960.

Latimer, a retired electrical engineer from Surrey, England, created his bottle garden in 1960.

“At the time the chemical industry had changed to transporting things in plastic bottles so there were a lot of glass ones on the market,” Latimer told the Daily Mail in 2013. “Bottle gardens were a bit of a craze and I wanted to see what happened if you bunged the thing up.”

The concept was simple: He planted a spiderwort plant (tradescantia) inside a 10-gallon glass carboy and sealed it off from the outside world with a cork. He watered the plant once in 1972, and since then, the ecosystem has been entirely self-sustaining, requiring no further intervention.

The garden’s longevity testified to the principles of a closed ecological system. Inside the sealed bottle, the spiderwort plant undergoes photosynthesis — the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy to produce food and release oxygen — which sustains its own growth and the survival of microorganisms within the ecosystem. The water cycle is also self-contained, with moisture released by the plant condensing and returning to the soil. This self-sustaining cycle continued for more than 50 years.

“It’s 6ft from a window so gets a bit of sunlight. It grows towards the light so it gets turned round every so often so it grows evenly,” Latimer told the Daily Mail. “Otherwise, it’s the definition of low-maintenance. I’ve never pruned it, it just seems to have grown to the limits of the bottle.”

Latimer’s sealed bottle garden has sparked discussions about the potential applications of closed ecological systems in various fields, including space exploration and environmental conservation.

NASA’s research has shown that plants not only produce oxygen through photosynthesis but also help regulate carbon dioxide levels with their so-called air-scrubbing qualities, provide fresh food and even purify water, making long-duration space missions more sustainable and self-sufficient.

The Weather Channel’s story in 2016 was the last public update on the garden that Snopes could find; its status in 2024 was unclear. The Daily Mail reported that Latimer hoped to leave his bottle garden to his children, and if they didn’t want it he planned to donate it to the U.K.’s Royal Horticultural Society.

How Does a Terrarium Live for Decades?

The longevity of a terrarium depends on several key factors. When carefully designed, a terrarium can function like a miniature rainforest, where moisture, air, and nutrients continuously cycle through the system. Here’s how:

1. The Water Cycle A closed terrarium creates its own rain cycle. Water evaporates, condenses on the glass, and then drips back down to nourish the plants. This process prevents the need for frequent watering and ensures a steady supply of moisture.

2. Photosynthesis and Oxygen Exchange Plants in a sealed terrarium generate oxygen during the day through photosynthesis. At night, they release carbon dioxide. This natural cycle allows the terrarium to regulate itself without outside interference.

3. Decomposers Keep the Ecosystem Clean Fallen leaves and organic matter break down naturally, thanks to beneficial bacteria and microorganisms. These act as decomposers, recycling nutrients back into the soil, just as they would in a real forest.

4. Balanced Light and Temperature Terrariums need indirect light to keep the plants healthy without overheating the system. Excess heat or direct sunlight can cause condensation to build up too quickly, potentially leading to mould or plant stress.

Can Your Terrarium Live Forever?

In theory, a well-maintained terrarium could last indefinitely. If the balance of light, water, and nutrients remains stable, the ecosystem will continue cycling without the need for human intervention. However, external factors like overwatering, insufficient light, or an imbalance in plant life can shorten its lifespan.

To give your terrarium the best chance at longevity:

Choose hardy plants that thrive in humid environments, such as moss, ferns, and fittonia. Avoid overwatering – a single watering when setting up the terrarium is often enough for months or even years. Provide indirect light to encourage healthy photosynthesis. Monitor for mould and remove any decaying plant matter to maintain a healthy balance.

The longest-living terrariums prove that a well-balanced, closed ecosystem can last for decades with little to no care. Whether you’re starting your first terrarium or looking to improve your current one, focusing on the right conditions can help it thrive for years to come.

Thinking about making your own long-lasting terrarium? Explore our shop for DIY terrarium kits, beautiful glass containers, and everything you need to create a self-sustaining world of your own. source

Former camper, counselor remember Dick Eastland as ‘father figure’ who made the ultimate sacrifice

it is with our deepest regrets to report this, Camp Mystic director Dick Eastland, lost his life saving the kids at his camp that he purchased in 1974!

Camp Mystic director Richard “Dick” Eastland died while attempting to rescue campers during catastrophic flooding that tore through parts of Central Texas. He is among 59 people confirmed dead so far in Kerr County. Of the victims, 38 are adults and 21 are children.

The camp director and co-owner of Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, died in the catastrophic flooding as he reportedly raced to save the lives of his young campers.

Dick Eastland, who purchased the camp in 1974, died after the wall of water crashed through the Christian summer camp, which is located along the banks of the Guadalupe River, Texas Public Radio reported.

The report cited a Facebook post from Eastland’s nephew, though the post has since been taken down.

Counselors, former campers and politicians who knew Eastland praised him for his heroic actions and ultimate sacrifice to save his campers.

“Camp Mystic’s Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers,” Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, wrote on X. “For decades he and his wife Tweety poured his life into loving and developing girls and women of character. Thank you Mr. Eastland. We love you and miss you.”

Pfluger said two of his daughters were at the camp when it was evacuated during the flooding, and they have since been reunited.

Dick Eastland, director of Camp Mystic, died while trying to save campers during a flash flood. (Camp Mystic)

Paige Sumner, a former camper and friend of Eastland, wrote in Kerrville Daily Times that Eastland “was the father figure to all of us” during summers at the camp.

“It doesn’t surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers,” Sumner wrote. “He had already saved so many lives with the gift of Camp Mystic.”

Kathatine Somerville, a camp counselor at Camp Mystic’s Cypress Lake location, told “Fox News Live” on Sunday that the camp director was among the “most selfless men in the whole world.”

“He was an inspiration to so, so many,” she said. “He was a father figure, a comforting force in the uncertainty of everything. He guided us in our faith and our activities. He always told us to make new friends and to share our love with everyone.”

Items lie scattered inside a cabin at Camp Mystic after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, on July 5, 2025. (REUTERS/Sergio Flores )

There were 750 attendees at the camp when the catastrophic flood happened.

Over a dozen campers were confirmed dead as of Sunday afternoon, Kerr County officials said. One counselor and 11 campers remained unaccounted for.

Officials search on the grounds of Camp Mystic along the banks of the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Hunt, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

The death toll across Central Texas climbed to nearly 70 on Sunday.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha told reporters during a news conference Sunday morning that of the 59 confirmed dead, there were 38 adults and 21 children. source

My friend, Dick Eastland: Locals mourn loss of Camp Mystic’s longtime owner and director

Our Vision

Every day we work to provide an extraordinary place where smiles and laughter lead to wonderful memories with family members, friends, and caregivers. We want Morgan’s Wonderland to be a place where the common element of play creates an atmosphere of inclusion for those with and without disabilities while encouraging everyone to gain a greater understanding of one another.

Morgan’s Wonderland is just like any other theme park except for a culture and environment that assures 100 percent enjoyment by every person entering the Welcome Center. Unfortunately, countless children and adults with special needs do not have access to facilities that enable them to enjoy outdoor recreation fully. Morgan’s Wonderland is changing that every day.

The Inspiration

Call her a catalyst, a spark, an inspiration. Morgan Hartman doesn’t realize it, but her ability to smile through physical and cognitive special needs spurred her parents – Gordon and Maggie Hartman – to do things never before accomplished for individuals with special needs and their families. Morgan inspired the creation of a one-of-a-kind theme park and other initiatives benefiting the inclusive community.

The tipping point occurred in 2006 when Gordon observed Morgan wanting to play with other vacationing kids at a hotel swimming pool, but the kids were leery of Morgan and didn’t want to interact with her. Then and there, Gordon and Maggie resolved to create opportunities and places where those with and without disabilities can come together for fun and better understand one another. That led to the construction of Morgan’s Wonderland in an abandoned quarry in Northeast San Antonio. It’s apropos that the butterfly is the symbol of this unique theme park; soaring to one success after another is now commonplace.

When it celebrated its grand opening on April 10, 2010, Morgan’s Wonderland became the world’s first theme park designed with individuals with special needs in mind and built for everyone’s enjoyment. The completely wheelchair-accessible park features more than 25 elements, including rides, playgrounds, and other colorful attractions. From the very beginning, anyone with a special need has been admitted free of charge, no questions asked.

It is Morgan’s sincere hope that everyone with a special need – young and older, healthy or ailing, introspective, or outgoing – will be touched extraordinarily by Morgan’s Wonderland: a shrine of inclusion, an oasis of friendship, an unforgettable wonderland…Morgan’s Wonderland!

The Visionary

Native San Antonian Gordon V. Hartman sold his highly-successful homebuilding business in 2005 to pursue his and wife Maggie’s dream of helping children and adults with special needs. He proceeded to build nonprofit Morgan’s Wonderland, still the world’s first and only Ultra-Accessible, fully-inclusive theme park.

The phenomenal success of Morgan’s Wonderland – almost 3 million guests from all 50 states and over 120 other countries through park visitation and special events – encouraged Gordon to add award-winning Morgan’s Inspiration Island splash park, Morgan’s Sports complex, year-round Morgan’s Camp and Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center). This latest venture involves more than 30 community-based organizations that provide both medical and non-medical services to children and adults with special needs. Morgan’s MAC sets a new standard for delivering coordinated care in an inclusive atmosphere through the guidance and follow-through of specially-educated team members known as Navigators.

All of Gordon’s innovations – and more to come – comprise Morgan’s, the umbrella organization that strategically coordinates planning, fundraising, marketing and communications for all its “family” members. In every endeavor, Gordon emphasizes the importance of inclusion, bringing together those with and without special needs and disabilities for interaction and a better understanding of one another. In addition to his many accomplishments through Morgan’s, Gordon has worked closely with governmental and community leaders on improvements that further add to San Antonio’s growing reputation as “Inclusion City, USA.”

The inspiration for all that Gordon has accomplished is his 30-year-old daughter Morgan, who’s dealt with physical and cognitive special needs since birth. In the beginning, Gordon’s guiding motto was: “Together, we CAN make a difference!” As a result of many successes and lots more to come, that motto now is: “Together, we ARE making a difference!”

Click here to read the full bio.

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RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Not since the days of Mark Twain has there been anything like what people witnessed in the Steamboat area of south Reno this month — a geyser shooting scalding water 30 feet into the air.

The natural phenomenon attracted curiosity seekers and scientists alike, hoping to catch a glimpse of the most spectacular geyser activity reported in the area since the 1800s.

“I’ve never been to Yellowstone. But for me, this is like a real close second,” said Rachel Micander, a geologic information specialist with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology.

In the 1800s, Steamboat was estimated to be the third-largest geyser field in the United States. During the 20th century, much of that activity went underground, until just recently, when mineral-rich water started percolating through the surface once again

But in early June, the geyser reemerged, spouting water out from an abandoned geothermal well. Today, the geyser has subsided, but the area is still geothermally active, with several small pots bubbling up nearby.

Water bubbles up from the ground near Steamboat Hot Springs on June 26, 2025.

Geologists are actively studying the area, visiting it often to observe, take water and rock samples and monitor the temperature with probes. Cary Lindsey, research geologist with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, said she wants to find the answer to the ‘million-dollar question’ — what caused the geyser?

“It could be a lot of things … there’s been a change in the water table in South Reno, when this area moved from more agriculture to more housing. The water table may have risen,” Lindsey said. “We could have had a little micro-earthquake and it could have shaken one of those fluid channels.”

There is geothermal production in the area. We’re not ruling that out but we’re not really looking at that as the primary cause either. We are just leaving all of our options open.

Though what caused the geyser to erupt is an open question, what caused it to since subside may have had something to do with Phil Busick, who owns the land on which it sits.

“There’s a neighbor of mine right over here who has one in his backyard. A very smart guy, he helped us,” Busick said. “We poured cold water just through a garden hose off the building … we stood back a few feet and fed it down the hole and let the water run. And after a half hour to an hour, it settled down.”

It’s kind of neat. You know, it is a natural phenomenon. Not everybody has a geyser or a fissure bubbling hot water in their backyard. So it is something special.

A fissure near where a geyser erupted in early June near Steamboat Hot Springs as seen on June 26, 2025.

The Silver State is one of the most geothermally active areas in the U.S. — it’s perfectly located for such activity because it’s positioned near two tectonic plates, making the Earth’s crust relatively thin.

“Here in western Nevada, that crust is thin enough and that magma is close enough to the surface that it can heat the groundwater as it enters deep into the Earth along these fractures,” local nuclear physicist Taylor Wilson told us last year. source

Disclaimer: Most of the geothermal activity is on private property near the Steamboat Hot Springs. It is blocked off with ‘no trespassing’ and ‘private property’ signs. The water is also over 200 degrees and the ground could be unstable, so experts say it is dangerous and that people should stay away.

It’s a fitful, intermittent eruption that’s happening for a 30-foot ‘geyser’ spouting boiling water on a small property off Alternate 395 South Virginia Street.

The water is coming from a pipe next to a long fissure in the ground – a fissure that geologists started studying last year when it became home to a collection of springs spewing hot bubbling water, less than a foot tall.

“The fissure has been there for a very long time, but it’s been dry,” Rachel Micander, Geologic Information Specialist with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, explained to 2 News Nevada on Friday. “Last year, in March, we came down and noticed that it was doing what we call perpetual spouting – there was this water, boiling water, coming out of the ground, spouting. Jim Faulds called it a mini geyser.”

She and other scientists studying the area believe that this new geyser is connected to those bubbling water spouts.

It began erupting Sunday afternoon, June 1, and spouted water for about 24 hours by resident reports, before the area completely dried up – including the small spouts nearby. As of Thursday night, it’s erupting again.

Though it’s an interesting and scientifically significant sight, scientists are warning the community not to visit. Micander measured the water temperature at 95 degrees Celsius – over 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

“This can cause third-degree burns. It can kill you,” she said. “Also, the ground in that area is incredibly unstable. There’s hot water flowing all underneath it, and because this geyser is unpredictable, the ground is unpredictable.”

Micander and other geologists aren’t sure what’s behind the geyser activity. She’s currently studying documents outlining the property’s history and permits, to see if they hold clues to what’s facilitating the water’s path to the surface now.

Contrary to rumors, she and other scientists don’t believe that the geyser activity is connected to the geothermal plant up the street, operated by Ormat Technologies. According to Micander, Ormat operates on a closed system at a higher elevation – the water that’s pumped out is reinjected.

The geysers at Steamboat have also been around for decades more, and disappeared long before any geothermal activity nearby. Eruptions weren’t uncommon a century ago. Why the land dried up, and why the water is returning now are questions that Micander and others are studying.

“Geysers operate on a very delicate system. They have things that they need to do geyser things, and if one of those things is out of whack – it could be water, it could be pressure, it could be heat – then you’re not going to have a geyser,” she said.

After the site dried out on Tuesday, Micander almost thought that was the last of it – that South Reno’s geysers had officially disappeared once again. But as long as this new, impressive spout continues to erupt, it may hold more clues to the history and future of the hot water just beneath the South Reno’s surface. source

Mother’s Day in the United States has a history all its own—and it’s more complicated than greeting cards might lead you to believe. There were repeated efforts to establish a Mother’s Day holiday and conflicting ideas about what it should stand for and how it should be observed. From a call for women to improve global policymaking and seek peace to a day to honor women’s work and role in the family, the history of the holiday reveals multiple insights into how mothers shape the world.

Julia Ward Howe, best known as the author of the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” was an abolitionist, a women’s rights advocate, and a peace activist. In 1870, horrified by the death and destruction she had witnessed during the Civil War and concerned by the Franco-Prussian war unfolding abroad, Howe issued what has come to be known as her “Mother’s Day Proclamation,” originally called an “Appeal to womanhood throughout the world.” In it, Howe urged the creation of an international body of women who could find ways to avoid war and bloodshed:

“I earnestly ask that a general congress of women, without limit of nationality, may be appointed … to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.”

When that didn’t happen, Howe sought to establish an annual Mother’s Day for Peace, to be celebrated in June. That did happen in a few places, for a while.

The version of Mother’s Day celebrated today is more directly rooted in the work of Ann Jarvis and her daughter, Anna Jarvis, who established the holiday to honor her mother. Frustratingly for the younger Jarvis, most people don’t celebrate it today the way she intended.

Ann Maria Reeves Jarvis (1832–1905) bore more than a dozen children. Most of the children died from diseases such as diphtheria or measles, which were common during her day in the Appalachian area of Virginia (later West Virginia) where she lived. Jarvis worked hard in her community to try to help other mothers and families avoid the tragedies she had suffered. Part of a national public health movement populated in large part by women reformers, Jarvis organized “Mothers’ Work Clubs” and promoted special “Mother’s Work Days,” when women would collaboratively collect trash and undertake other projects to improve local environmental conditions and their neighbors’ understanding of hygiene.

The focus of Jarvis’ work changed when war struck. Her region was deeply divided by the Civil War. Local soldiers fought on both sides of the conflict, and guerilla warfare was rampant. Jarvis insisted that the women’s groups she organized help both Confederate and Union troops who were sick or wounded, and she worked to promote peace and unity following the war. In 1868, despite threats of violence, she organized a “Mother’s Friendship Day” to bring families from both sides of the war together to try to restore a sense of community. It’s possible that Howe’s proclamation two years later was inspired by Jarvis; the two knew each other. At the very least, Jarvis and Howe shared the belief that women—and especially mothers—were best suited to bring people together with a goal of peace.

After Ann Jarvis’ death, her daughter, Anna Jarvis (1864–1948), set out to honor her mother’s legacy by establishing a national Mothers’ Day on the second Sunday in May, the day her mother had died. Anna, who never married or had children of her own, did not focus the holiday on peace activism but on the idea of honoring one’s own mother. She chose white carnations as an emblem and urged people to write heartfelt letters of gratitude to their mothers (in Anna Jarvis’ eyes, sending a pre-printed card didn’t count). Anna succeeded in her quest for official recognition, and President Wilson issued a proclamation of the first national Mother’s Day just before the start of World War I in 1914.

Anna Jarvis, however, soon grew discontented as she noted increasing commercialization of the celebration. What she had wanted to be an earnest “holy day” had become, in her eyes, a crass holiday benefitting florists and greeting card companies more than honoring the mothering work done by women. Anna was so distraught over the way Americans observed the holiday she had worked hard to establish that she started a petition to have it recalled in 1943. Five years later she died penniless in a sanitarium where her bills were paid by the same greeting card companies and florists she despised.

Mother’s Day provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on and honor the role of mothers in our own families and in the rich and complicated history of our nation.

Further Reading:  

• Antolini, Katharine Lane, Memorializing Motherhood: Anna Jarvis and the Struggle for Control of Mother’s Day. West Virginia University Press, 2014.
• Howe, Julia Ward, “Appeal to womanhood throughout the world”, An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Other Printed Ephemera. Library of Congress, 1870.
• Leigh, Eric Schmidt, Consumer Rites: The Buying and Selling of American Holidays. Princeton University Press, 1997.

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Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

Ingredients

This recipe, made with simple ingredients, makes 1 gallon of homemade soap.

• 1 cup borax – freshens, deodorizes, and lifts dirt and stains
• 1 cup washing soda – freshens and deodorizes
• 1 cup liquid castile soap or Sal Suds – the main cleaning agent, lifts dirt and cleans
• 50 drops essential oil – optional for a scent
• 15 cups water – distilled water, found in any grocery store, is best as it doesn’t contain containments found in tap or filtered water

Equipment

• Large saucepan or Dutch oven – enough to hold 1 gallon of liquid, 15 cups
• Storage Jars – such as 2 half gallon-size glass mason jars, 1 gallon-size jar, or reuse an old detergent bottle

Thicker Detergent Tip: This recipe calls for 15 cups of water. If you’d like a thicker, more concentrated soap, use 10-12 cups of water.

How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent: Recipe Steps

• Step 1 Boil 6 Cups of Water: In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, bring 6 cups of water to a slight boil. Once the water begins to boil, turn off the burner.
• Step 2 Add Borax, Washing Soda, More Water, and Castile Soap: Add the Borax and washing soda. Stir to dissolve. Then add 9 cups of room-temperature water and 1 cup of liquid castile soap. Give the ingredients a stir to combine.
• Step 3 Cool for 5-10 Minutes: Allow the soap to cool for a few minutes before pouring into one large gallon-size jar or smaller containers, like quart-size jars. Make sure your jar(s) are heat-safe. If not, wait until the soap is cool, then spoon the soap into the jar(s).
• Step 4 Add Essential Oil For Scent: Add an essential oil of choice (if using) to the soap (now in the jar) and stir to combine with the detergent.

What to Avoid Doing

• Baking Soda – Don’t use baking soda in place of washing soda. Washing soda has a different chemical composition and will not work in this recipe. It is NOT a substitute.
• Dish Soap – Don’t use other dish soaps in place of the castile soap. Dish soap will cause the soap to have too many bubbles in the wash.
• Lack of Suds – Don’t assume that a lack of suds and bubbles means the soap isn’t effective. Suds and bubbles don’t equal clean.
• Plastic Containers – If you’re reusing an old detergent bottle for storage, make sure the laundry detergent is fully cool before adding to a plastic container.
• Heat-Safe Glass – Use a heat-resistant glass jar (if using glass for storage), and also allow the detergent to cool a bit (about 10 minutes) before adding it.
• Essential Oils – The essential oil will add a subtle fragrance, but shouldn’t be added until the soap cools as heat will cause the essential oil to evaporate.

How to Prevent Chunky or Gelled Detergent

After a few days the liquid laundry detergent may clump or gel. This is a completely normal chemical reaction that is usually caused when the outside temperature is cooler. There’s no way to completely prevent this from happening; however, one option is to use more water (2-3 cups more) to make a less concentrated soap.

The laundry soap is 100% usable if it gels up (l actually love this form). Simply scoop the detergent from the container and add to the washer.

Key Takeaway: Whether the laundry detergent gels up or remains liquid, it’s 100% effective and usable in both forms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6VeZiPtX4o

Homemade Laundry Soap (Recipe #3) Powder

It started as an experiment in saving some money, but then something happened – we never stopped. It’s cost effective and we like that this mixture leaves our clothes clean without the heavy scent of ‘mountains’ or ‘fields of flowers,’ but most importantly, it works! The lack of perfumes and dyes is friendly for the allergy prone (aka, us and every single animal that lives in this house!), and we’ve used it in both a standard washer and, most recently, our H/E machine, too.

I always make a double batch at once, but whether you’re making two batches or five, the math is simple: 1 bar of Fels Naptha + 1 cup borax + 1 cup washing soda = DIY laundry detergent. In the past, I used a cheese grater to whittle down my soap, but the microwave method nixes that step altogether!

Here’s How:

Cut up the bars into thirds or fourths, and put them on a microwave safe plate. Microwave for 2-3 minutes, and allow them to cool for up to one hour in the microwave. It’s so important to leave them be, because not only will the soap be extremely hot, but the strong smell of Fels Naptha will dissipate the longer it’s left untouched.

In the meantime, mix equal parts borax and washing soda in a large bowl. If you used a single bar of soap, you’ll use 1 cup of each. If you used two bars of soap, you’ll use 2 cups of each – and so on.

Once the soap has cooled, take it out of the microwave. Each chunk should have ballooned into twice its original size. (It’s weirdly magical. Science!) Toss them into a quart bag, and pound with a fist. The soap will easily crumble into a fine powder, and it can then be whisked together with the borax and washing soda mix:

That’s it!

Our double batch fits perfectly in one of these glass jars (we use these jars for everything from stashing coffee to cat food!), and we keep this 2 tablespoon scoop inside.

Only 1 tablespoon is needed for a regular load, but toss in a small amount more for larger loads. We currently have a H/E washing machine, and we’ve had great success putting the soap mix right into the detergent tray, although others swear by adding the detergent right into the drum along with the clothes. Tip: Resist the urge to use more than you need, as too much can dull your clothes! 

source 1, 2, 3

Like many natural phenomena, everything needs to align for it to become a reality. First, the setting sun must be at the right angle which happens to be around the second week of February. Second, the snowpack needs to be deep enough to generate enough water flow over El Capitan. Third, the sky needs to be crystal clear. We’re talking not a single cloud or haze even near the horizon. And if everything aligns for that perfect moment, it lasts for only a few, fleeting minutes.

With such a short time window and many elements intersecting, it’s a tough sight to see. The popularity of this event has skyrocketed in recent years, from only a few keen observers to hundreds and possibly thousands of spectators each year. If you are traveling to attempt to see this attraction, be aware that there will most likely be weekend reservation requirements.   Requirements are usually announced about 4 months prior to the event, so make sure to check back here for more information.

How Did Yosemite’s Natural Firefall Get Global Fame

Horsetail Fall lights up.  Photo by Darvin Atkeson

While the natural Firefall event of the Horsetail Fall that happens in February has been around for as long as Yosemite has existed, no one really knew about it until Galen Rowell took the first-known color photograph in 1973 for National Geographic (Interesting aside – in or around 1952 Ansel Adams did capture what was known at that time as El Capitan Fall. But since it was black and white, the unique colorful and fiery event we know of today was not conveyed). Now with the advent of digital photography and social media, this helped propel the ephemeral event into stardom.

The Original Firefall At Glacier Point

For almost a century nightly bonfires created at  Glacier Point that were pushed over the cliffs toward spectators located in Curry Village below. The idea originated inadvertently in 1872 with James McCauley, the owner of the The Mountain House at Glacier Point.. Every night during the summer, he would build a campfire to entertain his guests. To extinguish the fire, he would kick the smoldering embers over the cliff. It didn’t take long for the visitors 3000 feet down below in Yosemite Valley who saw the embers tumbling down the cliff to request the Yosemite Valley Lodge to see the “Firefall.” And thus, the Yosemite Firefall was born.

Long exposure of Glacier Point Firefall from Ahwahnee Meadow

The “natural” Firefall, is much more natural and of course, rare, depending on a good stream of water flowing over Horsetail Fall, a clear sky and the right light hitting the cliffs at the right time to produce the desired effect.

Over 25 years, McCauley kept this tradition until he was evicted from Glacier Point. As the years passed, the Yosemite Valley Hotel owner, David Curry, kept hearing visitors fondly remember that activity. So, he brought it back for special occasions. This continued until 1913, when the park service banned it due to a possible leasing dispute with Mr. Curry. Reinstated in 1917, the display continued again with a break during WWII and was finally ended in 1968 by the director of the National Park Service, George B. Hartzog. His thought, and rightly so, was that it was an unnatural spectacle that was more fitting for Disneyland than a national park.

The Fiery Glow of Horsetail Fall

Placerita “white oil” was showcased at the 1876 Philadelphia World’s Fair. (Webmaster’s note: No, it wasn’t. It was discovered in 1899.) It was as clear as kerosene and able to burn 100 times longer than conventional oil. One can only imagine it caused quite a stir.

Oil production in Southern California started in the Newhall area around 1850, when natural oil seeps were crudely distilled and used as “burning oil” at the San Fernando Mission.

A quarter-century later, nearby Mentryville, some six miles east of downtown Newhall, was home to California’s first productive oil well, while the state’s oldest refinery was located off of Pine Street and produced 20 barrels of refined product a day.

But the phenomenon of Placerita white oil, a see-through form of crude oil coming straight out of the ground, is rare and occurs only in small quantities. Experts who examined it in a 1974 study for the county of Los Angeles called it “a unique geologic oddity.”

It is 83 percent gasoline and, according to local historians, it used to be put directly into early engines to make them run.

George Starbuck grew up in the vicinity of the natural seeps. As a teen-ager, Starbuck said, he would take a 5-gallon can to his great uncle Tom Walker’s white oil well, fill it up and pour the oil directly into his Model A Ford. Starbuck’s grandfather, whose cabin was nearby, built a contraption on top of the well that separated the white oil from water and natural gas.

Starbuck said he was not the only one catching freebies off the well. Others in the area knew about it and would fill up their tanks.

Just try putting crude oil in an old Model A and see how far it runs.

Close to the Placerita white oil well, another well was drilled that hit natural gas. Starbuck’s grandfather laid pipes that hooked into the natural gas line. The gas was used to light natural gas lamps in the home and burned 24 hours a day.

Starbuck distinctly remembers the peculiar natural gas smell in the home because the burners from the stove were kept on around the clock, too.

While the natural gas and white oil occur close to each other, it is not clear how they are related, if at all.

One could say Placerita white oil was refined by nature. The movement of the oil from the original source through the fine sands and clay of the San Gabriel Fault Zone created a natural filtration system for the clear, kerosene-like oil, according to the county study.

Only a fraction of the original crude oil moved from the sedimentary rocks into the cracks and crevasses within the “Placerita schist” (crystalline rocks) along the Placerita Fault.

Scientists have reasoned that the movement of the oil through the crystalline bedrock, creating the natural filtration system, was unusual.

Placerita white oil is still bubbling up today on the grounds of the Placerita Canyon Nature Center. source

White Oil Seep Do You Smell That?

 1. White Oil Seep Marker

What you are smelling is a pool of bubbling white oil. This very rare geologic feature of translucent petroleum has been filtered by nature. This special resource originates from deep within the earth in the Placerita Schist basement complex of rocks. Geologists have theorized that the oil traveled along the San Gabriel Fault Zone where it was filtered through various layers of sediments to get to its highly refined state. The oil is said to burn longer and brighter than kerosene and early local residents could pour it directly into their Ford Model T and Model A cars for fuel.

The Southern California oil industry started in the Newhall area in the late nineteenth century. In 1898 James Evans filed a patent on a mining claim which gave him title to the Placerita Canyon property. Evans then leased the land to the New Century Oil Co. to drill for oil. Imagine how surprised the oil drillers were when in 1900 the well started gushing white oil rather that the expected black gold! In 1901, the company entered a sample of crude oil into the Pan-American Exposition held in Buffalo, New York, which was the

Newhall near Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Unfortunately, the oil wells did not perform as expected and in 1902 New Century Oil went bankrupt while drilling additional wells. The company’s stock dropped from $1.00 per share down to $0.02 per share. By order of the court, all of their oil equipment assets were seized and auctioned off by the Sheriff.

Frank Walker
In the following years, Frank Walker (1886-1971), grandson to James Evans, inherited this Placerita Canyon property and used it as his primary residence along with his wife Hortense Reynier and their twelve children. Walker invented a contraption which allowed him to separate the water, white oil, and natural gas from the abandoned well. This enabled the family to capture the oil in a storage drum and route the natural gas directly to their cabin’s kitchen stove and lantern.

Erected 2013 by Placerita Canyon Nature Center. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 34° 22.515′ N, 118° 26.96′ W. Marker is near Santa Clarita, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Newhall. It can be reached from Canyon Trail near Placerita Canyon Road

2. White Oil Seep Marker Photographed by Craig Baker, March 26, 2024

 Located in Placerita Canyon Natural Area park. Hike 1½ miles east from the Nature Center, or ½ mile west from Walker Ranch Trailhead. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall CA 91321, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Walker Ranch (approx. ¼ mile away); The Walker Cabin (approx. 1.1 miles away); Oil in Placerita Canyon (approx. 1.2 miles away); Oak of the Golden Dream (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Oak of the Golden Dream (approx. 1.3 miles away); a different marker also named Oak of the Golden Dream (approx. 2½ miles away); Chinese Railroad Workers (approx. 2.7 miles away); In Honor of All Chinese Railroad Workers (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clarita.

3. White Oil Seep — Behind the Marker

 

 

4. White Oil Gusher

5. Oil/Gas/Water Separator

Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 364 times since then and 114 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 27, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.