Pendahuluan

Planaria adalah mimpi buruk shrimp keeper—cacing kecil putih yang bisa membunuh koloni udang dalam semalam. Flatworms (cacing pipih) parasit ini, 3-10mm panjangnya, white atau brown color, melepaskan toxin yang lethal untuk udang terutama saat treatment mass die-off.

Tapi jangan panik! Dengan identifikasi cepat (triangle head adalah ciri khas) dan treatment yang tepat (Fenbendazole/Panacur shrimp-safe), planaria bisa dieradikasi 95%+ dalam 3-5 hari. Artikel ini akan membahas cara mengenali planaria vs detritus worms (harmless), treatment methods, dan prevention untuk avoid re-infestation.

Planaria thrive di dirty tanks dengan overfeeding—maintenance aquascape yang proper adalah prevention terbaik. Mari kita bahas lengkap cara atasi planaria tanpa bunuh udang kesayangan kamu.

Apa Itu Planaria?

Scientific Classification

Planaria adalah flatworms dari class Turbellaria, family Planariidae. Common species di aquarium:

  • Dugesia species (brown planaria)
  • Girardia species (white planaria)
  • Schmidtea species

Penampilan (Identification)

Size: 3-10mm panjang (visible dengan mata telanjang)

Shape: Flat, elongated, ribbon-like (seperti pita pipih)

Color:

  • White atau cream (most common di aquarium)
  • Light brown atau grey
  • Translucent (semi-transparan)

Head:

  • Triangle-shaped (ciri khas paling jelas!)
  • Two “eyes” (eyespots—actually light sensors, bukan mata real)
  • Auricles (ear-like projections di sisi head)

Movement:

  • Gliding motion di glass/substrate (smooth, tidak jerky)
  • Cilia (tiny hairs) di underside untuk locomotion
  • Slow, steady movement

Behavior

Activity:

  • Nocturnal (hide in substrate/under hardscape during day)
  • Most visible at night dengan flashlight
  • Attracted to light (phototaxis)

Diet:

  • Carnivorous/scavengers
  • Eat uneaten food (protein-based)
  • Eat dead organisms
  • Eat shrimp eggs (prevent breeding)
  • Attack weak/molting shrimp (during vulnerable period)

Reproduction:

  • Asexual fission (split in half, both halves regenerate into new worms)
  • Extremely fast reproduction (1 worm → 10+ dalam 2 minggu)
  • Can also reproduce sexually (lay eggs)
  • Regeneration: Cut planaria into pieces, each piece becomes new worm (nightmare!)

Why Dangerous?

For Shrimp:

  • ❌ Eat shrimp eggs (prevent breeding)
  • ❌ Attack molting shrimp (vulnerable, soft shell)
  • ❌ Toxic when killed en masse (release neurotoxin → kill shrimp/fish in small tanks)
  • ❌ Stress shrimp (constant harassment)

For Fish:

  • ⚠️ Generally not dangerous (fish too fast/large)
  • ⚠️ Can attack fry (baby fish)

Indicator:

  • 🚨 Poor tank hygiene (thrive in dirty, overfed tanks)
  • 🚨 Excess protein (overfeeding, dead organisms)

NOT Harmless Detritus Worms

Critical: Planaria ≠ Detritus Worms

Detritus Worms:

  • Thin, hair-like, cylindrical (seperti benang)
  • Wiggle jerkily in water
  • No distinct head
  • Harmless (eat detritus, beneficial)

Planaria:

  • Flat, ribbon-like
  • Triangle head dengan eyespots
  • Glide smoothly
  • Dangerous (eat shrimp eggs, attack molting shrimp)

How Planaria Enter Tank

Source 1: Plants (Most Common)

How:

  • Eggs atau adults on leaves
  • In substrate attached to roots
  • Invisible to naked eye (eggs microscopic)

Prevention:

  • Quarantine plants 2-3 weeks
  • Rinse thoroughly under tap water
  • Plant dip (bleach/alum) kills eggs

Source 2: Live Food

How:

  • Contaminated bloodworms, tubifex worms
  • Daphnia cultures (outdoor sources)
  • Blackworms

Prevention:

  • Buy from reputable sellers
  • Rinse live food thoroughly
  • Consider frozen food (safer)

Source 3: Used Equipment

How:

  • Buying second-hand filter/substrate
  • Planaria eggs survive drying (dormant)
  • Reactivate when wet

Prevention:

  • Bleach soak used equipment 24 hours
  • Rinse thoroughly before use
  • Buy new equipment when possible

Identification - Planaria vs Detritus Worms

Comparison Table

FeaturePlanaria (Dangerous)Detritus Worms (Harmless)
ShapeFlat, ribbon-likeRound, cylindrical (thin noodle)
HeadTriangle dengan eyespotsNo distinct head
Size3-10mm, easily visible1-5mm, very thin (hair-like)
MovementGlide smoothly on glassWiggle/swim jerkily in water
LocationGlass, substrate surfaceInside substrate, filter media
ActivityNocturnal (visible at night)Always in substrate (rarely visible)
ColorWhite, cream, brownWhite, translucent
Danger Level❌ HIGH (kill shrimp)✅ NONE (harmless, beneficial)

Identification Test

Night Flashlight Test:

  1. Turn off tank lights
  2. Wait 30 minutes (planaria emerge)
  3. Shine flashlight on glass
  4. Planaria: Crawl toward light, flat triangle head visible
  5. Detritus worms: Stay in substrate, avoid light

Movement Test:

  • Planaria: Smooth gliding (like slug)
  • Detritus worms: Jerky wiggling (like earthworm)

“If you see triangle head + smooth gliding = PLANARIA, act immediately!”

Treatment Methods

Method 1: Fenbendazole / Panacur (Most Effective, Shrimp-Safe)

What: Dog/cat dewormer medication (fenbendazole active ingredient), kills planaria specifically

Product:

  • Panacur powder/paste (Rp 50-100k at pet stores/online)
  • Safe-Guard (same ingredient, different brand)

Dosage:

  • 0.1-0.2 gram per 10 liters (for powder)
  • For paste: Follow Panacur calculator online (dosage varies by concentration)

Process:

Day 1: Dosing

  1. Remove activated carbon from filter (absorbs medication)
  2. Measure fenbendazole (kitchen scale accurate to 0.1g)
  3. Dissolve in cup of tank water (stir well)
  4. Pour slowly into tank (distribute evenly)
  5. Turn off UV sterilizer if present

Day 2-5: Observation

  • No water changes (maintain medication concentration)
  • Monitor daily for dead planaria (white bodies on substrate)
  • Shrimp behavior: Normal (eating, grazing)
  • Fish behavior: Normal

Day 5: Water Change

  • Large water change 50-70% (remove dead planaria, medication residue)
  • Vacuum substrate thoroughly (suck up dead bodies)
  • Add activated carbon back to filter

Day 7-14: Monitoring

  • Check nightly dengan flashlight
  • If planaria reappear: Repeat treatment (some eggs survived)

Pros:

  • ✅ Shrimp-safe (99% survival rate if dosed correctly)
  • ✅ Fish-safe
  • ✅ Highly effective (kills 95%+ planaria)
  • ✅ Doesn’t harm beneficial bacteria
  • ✅ Also kills hydra (bonus)

Cons:

  • ❌ Can be hard to find in Indonesia (import or special order)
  • ❌ Overdosing can stress fish (follow dosage exactly)
  • ❌ Requires accurate scale (0.1g precision)

Success Rate: 95% in one treatment, 99% if repeat after 1-2 weeks

“Recommended method for shrimp tanks—safest and most effective”

Method 2: No-Planaria (Commercial Product, Shrimp-Safe Alternative)

What: Betel nut extract (natural planaria killer), brand name “Genchem No Planaria”

Product:

  • Powder in sachets (Rp 80-150k for 10 sachets)
  • Treats 200L total (1 sachet per 20-25L)

Dosage:

  • 1 sachet per 20-25 liters
  • 3-day treatment protocol

Process:

  1. Day 1: Dose 1 sachet per 20-25L
  2. Day 2: Dose again (same amount)
  3. Day 3: Dose again (same amount)
  4. Day 4: Water change 50-70%

Pros:

  • ✅ Easy to find in Indonesia (Tokopedia/Shopee)
  • ✅ Shrimp-safe (mostly)
  • ✅ Also kills hydra
  • ✅ Pre-measured (no scale needed)

Cons:

  • ❌ More expensive per treatment than Panacur
  • ❌ Some shrimp sensitivity reported (5-10% losses possible, especially Caridina)
  • ❌ Less effective than Fenbendazole (90% vs 95%)

Success Rate: 90-95%

Note: Some aquascapers report shrimp losses dengan No-Planaria (especially sensitive species like Crystal Red Shrimp). Neocaridina (Cherry Shrimp) generally tolerate better.

Process:

  • 1 tablespoon per 5 liters (temporary salt bath)
  • 10-15 minutes for affected hardscape/substrate removed from tank

Pros:

  • ✅ Cheap, readily available
  • ✅ Kills planaria on contact

Cons:

  • ❌ Kills plants (cannot use in planted tank)
  • ❌ Stresses fish
  • ❌ Only for treating items OUTSIDE main tank
  • ❌ Not practical for in-tank treatment

“Not recommended for in-tank treatment”

Method 4: Manual Removal + Traps (Slow, Partial Solution)

Bait Trap:

  1. Place raw meat/shrimp on plate in tank overnight
  2. Planaria gather on bait
  3. Remove plate in morning (with planaria)
  4. Repeat nightly for 1-2 weeks

Effectiveness:

  • Reduces population 30-50%
  • Not eradication (eggs remain)

Use Case:

  • Supplement to medication (remove visible planaria while waiting for treatment to work)
  • Reduce population before treatment (less die-off toxin)

Method 5: Predators (Natural Control)

Fish:

  • Gourami (eat planaria, but not efficient)
  • Betta (some individuals eat planaria)
  • Effectiveness: 20-30% population control

Shrimp:

  • Adult Amano shrimp (some eat planaria, not reliable)
  • Effectiveness: 10-20% population control

Verdict:

  • ⚠️ Not reliable for eradication
  • ⚠️ Use as prevention after treatment (not primary treatment)

“Use as prevention after treatment, not primary treatment”

Prevention After Treatment

Reduce Feeding

Why: Overfeeding = planaria food source (excess protein)

Action:

  • Feed sparingly (1x per day, small portions)
  • Remove uneaten food after 2-3 minutes
  • Feed less protein-rich foods (reduce bloodworms, increase algae wafers)

Result: No food = no planaria comeback

Regular Vacuuming

Why: Detritus in substrate = planaria food

Action:

  • Gravel vacuum substrate weekly during water change
  • Focus on areas under hardscape (detritus accumulates)
  • Remove dead leaves immediately

Result: Clean substrate = no planaria habitat

Quarantine Plants

Why: Planaria eggs hitchhike on plants

Action:

  • ALWAYS quarantine new plants 2-3 weeks
  • Rinse thoroughly under tap water
  • Consider bleach dip (kills eggs)

Result: No new planaria introduction

Maintain Cleanliness

Remove Immediately:

  • Dead leaves
  • Decaying matter
  • Dead shrimp/fish (protein source for planaria)

Result: No organic waste = no planaria food

“Planaria thrive in dirty tanks—clean tank = no planaria comeback”

Post-Treatment Monitoring

Week 1: Daily Checks

Night Inspection:

  • Shine flashlight on glass at night
  • Look for planaria (triangle head, gliding)
  • Count: 0 planaria = success, 1-2 = monitor, 10+ = re-treat

Shrimp Behavior:

  • Monitor for 48 hours post-treatment
  • Normal: Grazing, active, eating
  • Stress: Hiding, jerky movement, not eating

Week 2-4: Weekly Checks

If 1-2 Planaria Spotted:

  • Manual remove dengan syringe/turkey baster
  • Optional: Second medication dose (preventive)

If 10+ Reappear:

  • Full second treatment needed (some eggs survived)
  • Repeat Fenbendazole/No-Planaria protocol

Long-Term Prevention

Monthly Checks:

  • Night flashlight inspection
  • Early detection = easier treatment

Maintenance:

  • Keep feeding minimal
  • Vacuum substrate weekly
  • Quarantine all new plants

FAQ

Apakah planaria membunuh ikan juga atau hanya udang?

Mostly udang. Planaria jarang attack ikan dewasa (too fast/large), tapi bisa attack fry ikan (baby fish) dan ikan sakit/lemah. Main danger adalah untuk udang—planaria eat shrimp eggs, attack molting shrimp, dan release toxin saat mass die-off yang bisa kill udang.

Panacur atau No-Planaria lebih baik?

Panacur (Fenbendazole) lebih baik untuk effectiveness (95% vs 90%) dan shrimp safety (99% survival vs 90-95%). Tapi No-Planaria easier to find di Indonesia dan pre-measured (no scale needed). Untuk shrimp tanks dengan Caridina sensitif, Panacur recommended. Untuk Neocaridina (Cherry Shrimp), both work well.

Berapa lama treatment planaria sampai hilang total?

3-5 hari untuk kill planaria adults dengan Fenbendazole/No-Planaria. Tapi monitoring butuh 2-4 minggu untuk ensure eggs tidak hatch. Jika planaria reappear setelah 1-2 minggu, repeat treatment (some eggs survived). Total timeline: 1 treatment = 1 minggu, 2 treatments = 3-4 minggu untuk 99% eradication.

Apakah planaria bisa muncul lagi setelah diobati?

Ya, jika:

  • Eggs survived treatment (hatch setelah 1-2 minggu)
  • Re-introduction via new plants (tidak di-quarantine)
  • Poor maintenance (overfeeding, dirty substrate)

Prevention: Repeat treatment jika reappear, quarantine all new plants, maintain cleanliness.

Boleh pakai Panacur untuk tank planted dengan udang?

Ya, 100% safe. Fenbendazole/Panacur adalah shrimp-safe medication (tidak toxic untuk invertebrates). Dosis 0.1-0.2g per 10L aman untuk udang, ikan, tanaman, dan beneficial bacteria. Hanya toxic untuk planaria, hydra, dan internal worms. Follow dosage exactly (overdose bisa stress fish).

Kesimpulan

Planaria adalah pest berbahaya untuk shrimp tanks, tapi dengan identifikasi cepat (triangle head, gliding movement) dan treatment yang tepat, eradication 95%+ possible dalam 3-5 hari. Fenbendazole/Panacur adalah gold standard treatment—shrimp-safe, highly effective, dan affordable.

Key points:

  • Identifikasi: Triangle head + smooth gliding = planaria (bukan detritus worms)
  • Treatment: Fenbendazole 0.1-0.2g per 10L, 3-5 hari, water change 50-70%
  • Prevention: Reduce feeding, vacuum substrate weekly, quarantine plants
  • Monitoring: Check nightly 2 minggu post-treatment, repeat jika reappear

Prevention through cleanliness adalah kunci—planaria thrive di dirty, overfed tanks. Maintain maintenance routine yang proper dan ALWAYS quarantine new plants dengan quarantine protocol.

Untuk pest control lengkap, baca Disease & Pest Control Aquascape. Selamat planaria-free shrimp keeping!