Critter on my glass ..... flatworms???

[vcarlyle62]

So recently I've had a huge copepod explosion and my tank is loving it. I can see them crawling on most rocks and on glass. This particular critter is also seen on glass and seems to look like a flatworm. Are there good flatworms ? My corals all seem good except I did have a sad looking catspaw for a bit but he seems on the mend.

They don't seem to be bothering anything but maybe they are and I can only see them on the glass?

Tips from you guys would be much appreciated

 

[Cali Reef Life]

Flat worm make sure to manage them before they over populate. There are several articles from chemical to self maintenance to live stock that can mange them. They are not good for coral health.

 

[ScubaFish802]

Hard to be 100% from the image.. but if they are transparent like ‘casper the ghost’ there is likely nothing to worry about.
if that is the case they will disappear in the near future as fast as they appeared

 

[EricR]

Hard to be 100% from the image.. but if they are transparent like ‘casper the ghost’ there is likely nothing to worry about.
if that is the case they will disappear in the near future as fast as they appeared

I agree based on my one experience -- got a massive explosion of transparent ones on my glass after adding a ball of chaeto with pods from eBay, even though I did 30 day observational QT first and saw nothing in QT.

They never seemed to bother my soft corals (mostly zoas) and disappeared after some amount of time (maybe a couple of months), at least so far.

P.S. I don't think there are any "good" flatworms in the hobby but some aren't as bad as others, obviously.

 

[vcarlyle62]

Well, looks like I'm getting a wrasse then. Been afraid of getting one with all the horror stories about bullying and coral nipping but need something that munches on these guys.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Well, looks like I'm getting a wrasse then. Been afraid of getting one with all the horror stories about bullying and coral nipping but need something that munches on these guys.

The "Casper" flatworms eat copepods, so that may be why you're seeing more of them now.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Well, looks like I'm getting a wrasse then. Been afraid of getting one with all the horror stories about bullying and coral nipping but need something that munches on these guys.

Wrasses don't all nip coral. Google "reef safe wrasses"

 

[AydenLincoln]

Definitely flatworms look up products that kill them like Salifert flatworm eXIT.

 

[catiebartholomew]

So recently I've had a huge copepod explosion and my tank is loving it. I can see them crawling on most rocks and on glass. This particular critter is also seen on glass and seems to look like a flatworm. Are there good flatworms ? My corals all seem good except I did have a sad looking catspaw for a bit but he seems on the mend.

They don't seem to be bothering anything but maybe they are and I can only see them on the glass?

Tips from you guys would be much appreciated

i have a blue velvet nudibranch i’m trying to lend out (so that he can continue to eat and live). he solved my flatworm problem. requires moderate-low flow (his tolerance for flow has increased significantly with his increase in size -about 2.5 inches). running large amount of activated carbon is also recommended lmk

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Well, looks like I'm getting a wrasse then. Been afraid of getting one with all the horror stories about bullying and coral nipping but need something that munches on these guys.

Also, hi neighbor!

 

[SchrutesReefs]

Flasher or pink streak would pop some color in there and they are very peaceful IME. I have a sixline, fairy, and a flasher. They all play well together.

 

[neonreef3d]

those things are pretty common, they are photosynthetic, I would just scrape them off the glass, and let the filter and skimmer pick them up... I had them in the past, didnt cause any issues whatsoever.

 

[vcarlyle62]

Also, hi neighbor!

Hiyee neighbor!! Thx for your comments also, all helpful