Outlet and inlet pipes clogged with worms

[Tommo12345]

My pond is roughly a year old with around 10 fish living happily in it, recently I have noticed a huge amount of tiny worms in my filter and in both pipes going to and from it so much so that it reduces the pressure coming from the filter into the pond! I have tried to clean them out best I can but I am worried there is something seriously wrong with the balance of the pond. Please can anyone advise

 

[addy1]

Can you take a picture of them?

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Tommo12345]

I'm not sure they would come out well on a photo tbh, they are only 4 or 5mm long and a dark brownish colour. They latch on to things and are quite difficult to move with say a hose pipe

 

[Mmathis]

Hello and welcome!

Agree that a pic would be helpful…..even if it’s not best quality. Also, a few pics of your pond and set-up might be helpful, as well.

Can you describe these “worms?” Most of the time, when critters inhabit your pond, it’s a sign of a healthy ecosystem.

 

[Tommo12345]

 

[Tommo12345]

These are what I'm talking about. This is the inlet pipe from the pump to the filter. They are colonising the corrugated pipes to and from the filter

 

[j.w]

These are what I'm talking about. This is the inlet pipe from the pump to the filter. They are colonising the corrugated pipes to and from the filter

@Tommo12345
Are the worms segmented or smooth?

 

[Tommo12345]

They appear to be segmented, amongst the worms there are also disgarded pupa cases which the 'worms' have I presume left behind when they have hatched into whichever fly or knat etc they become

 

[j.w]

Segmented worms are called Annelids but there are tons of them. You would have to look online at photos to see if you could pick yours out.
Wonder if they could be these: https://drjohnson.com/larvae-in-pond-filters-what-are-these-worms/

 

[Tommo12345]

 

[Tommo12345]

This is a magnified picture of one. I'm coming round to the idea that these things are not a bad thing but it's just the sheer number of them that worries me

 

[j.w]

I think if you can scoop them out into the pond where the fish are they might make a nice meal.

 

[Tommo12345]

Yeah I agree but they are tough to shift, they hang on pretty tight! I flushed my outlet pipe out with boiling water earlier just to clear them out. Seems to have done the trick for now.

 

[GBBUDD]

I wouldn't touch them. It's pretty rare that worms are not of a benigicial nature. If you have a lot of them then I'd venture to guess you also have a ton of food that they like remove them and something else will take its place.odds are they will grown and move on once they mature. Y