Brown Moving things

[n00bReefer]

Hrmmm today I looked at my 5 gallon that's been running for 7 months and I thought I saw speckled algae EVERYWHERE on the rock. Turns out this algae moves like a worm and some of them became dislodged and are sticking on the walls. What could this be!?

In the pics the brown spots are what I am referring too.

 

[CallMeChris]

Google flatworms, lots of different types. I’m no expert, hopefully someone else will chime in with treatment options and more specifics

 

[SnazzyUrchin792]

They are flatworms. I can’t give an exact type, but many eat coral. I would remove them. You can manually remove them or risk a chemical treatment like Flatworm Exit.

 

[Mark Goode]

When dynoflagellates took over my tank my flatworm population crashed for some reason.

I think I preferred the flatworms though.

 

[paragrouper]

You can read through this Hitchhiker ID thread to help identify which type of flatworm. I’m no expert, but from your photo, you will need to address these.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-is-that-a-r2r-guide-to-common-new-tank-hitchhikers.443382/

 

[n00bReefer]

Yeah they are rust colored flatworms... Been mechanically removing them at the moment. There are so many! Do they also live below the substrate?

 

[n00bReefer]

Yeah they are rust colored flatworms... Been mechanically removing them at the moment. There are so many! Do they also live below the substrate?

Also, if push comes to shove it's a small tank with only two rocks. I think I cod just give the rocks with the corals a dip and be done with them for the rock. Just have to attack them when I see them afterwards.

 

[exnisstech]

Maybe try flatworm exit? I haven't used it personally as mine have seemed to stay in the sump but have read good things about it. I believe you need to be ready to run some carbon but on a small tank it may be an option without too much hassle. Or add a fish that eats flat worms and it will get fat quick