Urgent Care :: Possible internal parasite of red eared slider—pic/vid avail

[BryantChang]

Hi all,

I need help identifying what is the species of parasite as shown in the picture/video. The "worms" are red in colour and really tiny—perhaps 1/10th to 1/5th the size of the standard midge larvae (bloodworms).
I am worried that my turtle Tsavorite may have a case of parasite infestation; hopefully this species is harmless and is a common filter dweller.

Details about her and her habitat:
- 3 years+ old, 7.5 inch shell, 1kg female slider.
- ReptiGlo 5.0 25W UVB light is used, approximately 30cm away from the nearest edge of the basking platform.
- 108 gallon pond, but half-filled. Eheim 2217 filter.
- Climate in my town is always ranging from 25 to 33 degrees Celsius, so temperature is not an issue.
- 80% water change once a fortnight, so water cleanliness should not be an issue.

Key point to note: Tsavorite is behaving absolutely normally, appetite is good, and she basks and sleeps as per usual.
Also, the first time I saw these little worms was a few weeks ago. However, I do not know if they have been there since I got the slider 3 years ago.

Pictures: See attachment
Video (clearer than pictures): https://youtu.be/-rfyUBgj6HE

Thank you guys very much for the help!!!

[steve]

I can't watch the video now, but these are usually fly larvae. Try to grab a fresh stool sample and inspect it or take it a vet and have them analyze it.

[BryantChang]

Alright, thank you Steve. Do let me know once you have watched the video. These worms are so tiny though. Meanwhile, I'll try to scoop her poop.

[steve]

I might not have access for a couple of weeks. If they are parasites, it will show up in the poop though.

[BryantChang]

Ok, thank you:-)

[steve]

Another thing... parasites don't normally survive long outside of the host. You might want to collect some and see if they develop.

[BryantChang]

Oo.. I have not netted any of her poop yet. Will catch some of those worms instead and update here!

[ljapa]

I'm with Steve. That active, I watched te video, and in the sponge like that, those are living on the bio matter they can get. I don't think they are parasitic.

Except for the color, they make me think of detritus worms. Maybe they are, but they've been eating something dark?

[BryantChang]

Thank you ljapa. After you mentioned detritus worms, they do look like those worms to me. Hmm, the turtle pellets and turtle poop are brown in colour.