Am i at the begining of a big problem?

[Delduwath]

Just noticed that on my glass, should I worry?

 

[zoanthid26]

Looks like some flatworms there sir. I wouldnt worry too much if they haven't absolutely exploded in population, but its best to tackle the problem now before they get out of hand. My recommendation is to add my 3 fav flatworm eating wrasses: six line, yellow coris and african cleaner wrasse. All three will get along well if you add them at the same time and they go after flatworms like crazy! Also if you have a refugium and a large population of copepods, a mandarin wouldn't be a bad idea either. I've seen them really tackle some flatworms!

 

[Delduwath]

Its in a 25gallon. Cant really add that much lol. If I were to choose one? Also there is only a yasha haze atm so I know wrasses can be aggressive lol if I plan on adding some other fish in the future

 

[Pete polyp]

They're flatworms. They don't appear to be the nasty type, but some people will choose to not have them

 

[Naiad]

In a tank that small I wouldn't put any of the above mentioned fish.

 

[Delduwath]

What i thought. Any other solution?

 

[Pete polyp]

Flatworm exit made by salifert

 

[Naiad]

I have these in my sump and they tend to grow in numbers until they run out of whatever they eat then the population crashes. As long as it doesn't get so bad that they are smothering things I wouldn't worry. Just keep an eye that you don't have the kind that eats coral.

 

[Delduwath]

Ok. Whats the first sign if they do eat corals?

 

[Russellaqua]

Although this won't eliminate them it can help reduce their numbers: When you do a water change remove the water with a piece of airline tubing. The suction is often enough to dislodge and vacuum out the flatworms if you hold the end near them. Like I said, you won't get them all, but it'll reduce their numbers if they bother you.

 

[Naiad]

The coral will start to loose flesh and if you look close will have these guys and their eggs on them. These guys tend to stay close to their food so to see so many on the glass makes me think it is not a coral Eater but an algae or film eater.

 

[Nemesis]

I don't think those are flatworms I'm trying to look up what they are called, but i'm 99% sure they are harmless. As soon as I find it I will post the name.

 

[Pete polyp]

Ok. Whats the first sign if they do eat corals?

They will be red.

 

[Delduwath]

Thx all it help alot to have you guys

 

[Pete polyp]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/joomla/i...latworms-and-other-bugs-that-make-you-see-red

 

[Nemesis]

I was wrong about the flat worm part but I think they are Acoel flatworms, which are harmless to corals. Maybe someone else will chime in.

 

[Pete polyp]

I don't think those are flatworms I'm trying to look up what they are called, but i'm 99% sure they are harmless. As soon as I find it I will post the name.

I believe you're thinking of planaria... Which are referred to as flatworms

 

[sawdonkey]

I have these too. I don't worry about them. They are harmless. I do tell people about them before trading corals though, in case the other person is concerned about them.

 

[Delduwath]

What do they eat?

 

[sawdonkey]

What do they eat?

I've watched them closely as they move around the glass. They seem to eat pods. I think they might be photosynthetic too since they are attracted to the light.

I've only sine one or two in my DT, but I have quite a few in my sump. I believe they are acole flatworms.