Kind of red worms on roots in a flood and drain/raft combo system

[Victor Getov]

My first try in aquaponics was a fail, but, I keep on. I even made second system-underground-to avoid temp. problems.I am saving some of the lettuce-rotten roots from clogged 1/4 inch gravel GB. I put them in raft-most of them recovered. Now the roots are becoming white and growing rapidly.Today I found number of tiny red worms in the roots! They are 1/3 inch long and thin like granny's needle.A week ago I put 20 Mozambique Tilapia 2 inch big.They do well-no deaths.Maybe the worms came with the fish.I my second system I can't see worms-it is flood and drain.Can somebody help:Are this worms good or bad?Must I take some action? Please,Help.... 

[Vlad Jovanovic]

Hard to tell from just your description, but many folks seem to get Midge Fly larva in their systems. Might be?

[Victor Getov]

Thanks  for your reply.Here is a pic-this is the best I can get with my cam. Must I do something and what if so? Thanks again

[Vlad Jovanovic]

Hehe...not exactly macro lens resolution eh? Can't tell at all what that is from that photo...Sorry. I suppose as long as they don't seem to be hurting anything, just leave them be...

[Victor Getov]

Thanks(Hvala) for the advise.I have improvements-40 Tilapia-5 cm big,pH dropped to 7.8,plants doing visually better.The fish ate ALL worms-I was putting the plants to float(on their raft) on top of the FT. I shall post some pics.

Cheers.....

[Victor Getov]

IMPROVING!

[James Brann, MD]

I have the same problem, small red words in the roots, bio-filters and even on the floor of the raft tanks. Everything is doing fine with them, but would like to know what the worm is and any consequences. The worms look like tubifex worms I used to feed my fresh water fish when I was a kid. Any help is appreciated. Thanks Doc

[Vlad Jovanovic]

Very, very likely that they are midge-fly larva...which harm nothing as far as I've ever been able to tell.

[James Brann, MD]

The brief research I have done since discovering them all agree with you Vlad. This is a great reference for the midge-fly larva... http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/midges.htm 

Thanks for the help. Doc

Vlad Jovanovic said:

Very, very likely that they are midge-fly larva...which harm nothing as far as I've ever been able to tell.

[Vlad Jovanovic]

Wow, thank is a really informative link. Thanks James.