Squigglies in the tank

[BirdOfPray]

I've noticed that I seem to have tiny little living critters in my tank water and am just wondering if it's anything to worry about. Previously I've noticed the occasional very small (less than 1/2") white, thread-like thing that just floats around and wiggles a little. Tonight, though, I looked and there's also a shorter (1/4"?), much more active type. It looks sort of metallic in color (thought it might be an air bubble from a distance), and it moves too quickly for me to be certain but it looks like the "body" might be segmented and the head might be slightly thicker than the rest. It's a little thicker than the white thread-like ones, and it moves constantly and quickly, just squirming around while floating in the water. There appear to be a few of them. Anyone have any idea what this might be? I'd try to take pictures, but I really doubt I could get a good shot of one. Do I need to take some sort of drastic measure to get rid of them?

The white ones I thought might have somehow come with the mature media I was given, since the sponges were the type used to cover an intake tube. I thought maybe some sort of live food might have managed to stay with the sponge during transport. I hadn't noticed the other type before tonight, though. I did add my driftwood just a few days ago, but it had been soaking for a good while and I had poured boiling water over it so I'd think that would have killed anything.

Hope that's enough information to be useful. Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

[Crispy]

Sounds like small nematode worms... check this out to be sure...

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[Northernguy]

It sounds like you are overfeeding your tank.
The white ones are found in most every tank.I can'trecall the name though! lol Someone will.
Not sure what the metallic ones are.

[Crispy]

Like NG said, usually a result of overfeeding...

[BirdOfPray]

Would the white ones be the nematodes? The pictures look similar, anyhow, but of course I don't see mine at that kind of magnification. ;) Those didn't worry me, really, but the metallic looking ones are a little weird. They're very active.

No food in the tank since I'm still cycling, but I did start adding Seachem Stability last Friday. Not sure what it has in it, but I suppose there's a chance there's something that could be feeding the critters. Otherwise it's just gravel, driftwood, and a large aponogeton. Obviously there is ammonia present in the tank when I add it, if that's a factor.

[kerouac]

That's interesting. Personally I've only heard of these things in established tanks that are being overfed. It is said they are an indicator of an excess of rotting food in the substrate. But since your tank is still cycling...??? Maybe they were introduced via your plant or driftwood, or snails if you have any...

[lef22]

i don't know about the white one but the other one, the way you said it moves, might simply be mosquito larvae. check it on the net though. can't be sure without seeing it. if it is mosquito "offspring" it i'll be eaten up once you put the fish in
good luck