Flat worms.

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Hi
I can’t remember how long I noticed these brown spots on my mushroom, please don’t tell me what I think it is.
Are they flat worms?
how do I get rid of them? Can they kill coral?
Thanks in advance

 

[ahiggins]

Are you able to remove the coral or the rock? If so, do a fresh water dip for 30 seconds and see what comes off. You’ll know within 5-10 seconds if it’s flatworms

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Im

Are you able to remove the coral or the rock? If so, do a fresh water dip for 30 seconds and see what comes off. You’ll know within 5-10 seconds if it’s flatworms

99% sure it’s flat worms I can see the shape of them when I look closely also do I need to remove them or shall I just leave it

 

[35ppt]

Redacted

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Some sort of flatworm, Waminoa sp. maybe. Regardless of species that coral needs repeated dips to rid it of the flatworms. I would suggest a coral dip like CoralRX, Revive or Bayer rather than freshwater. And the dip will not harm the eggs so repeated dips every 3-4 days until they're gone.

What other corals can it attack? I have zoas kenya tree torch hammerhead gsp montipora

 

[35ppt]

Redacted

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

I'm not sure what all they go after, I usually see them on euphyllia but would assume they could be found on most corals. They eat the mucus of corals and have symbiotic algae (Symbiodinium) within them that allows them to gain subsistence from photosynthesis.

Are they always bad then?

 

[cloak]

In most cases they're harmless, it's just that they reproduce like rabbits. If you don't keep them in check your tank might look like it has chicken pox or something. Spots everywhere...

How to eliminate Flatworms (Red Planaria) | Melev's Reef

Small reddish-rust colored creatures may already be in your tank. Or you may buy a coral and they'll appear as hitchhikers later. They may appear on the glass/acrylic, on the substrate, or on live rock. Due to their extremely thin bodies, they are called flatworms correctly. They appear almost...

www.melevsreef.com

Reefkeeping Magazine - Flatworms and Other "Bugs" That Make You See Red

Reefkeeping ...an online magazine for the marine aquarist.

reefkeeping.com

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/mc/index.php

 

[35ppt]

Redacted

 

[NASOTANG87]

I have these as well. You can try dipping but the best you'll do is knock them back for a while. I won't use any chemical solution due to the fact that the cure is usually worse than the problem. They seem harmless but I haven't found a predator yet that will eliminate them.

 

[ahiggins]

They can inhibit the coral's ability to feed by blocking out the light. I would assume it's not helpful for the coral's mucus to be being constantly consumed either. I don't see an upside to leaving them be.

That’s what I’ve always followed too-I get them out before they go in with dips and stuff.

 

[Saaqib_Ansari]

Guys I think I’ve messed up. I dipped my mushroom in a freshwater dip for 30 seconds, honestly about 30 worms or “brown things” cane off the mushroom but when I placed it back in my tank it seemed to be sort of evaporating, the fluroscent green colour started leaving the mushroom like smoke from a fire ? Have I killed it? What’s going on??