Flatworm ... Arrow shaped with fins..! Advice please

[oceanrider]

http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/h430/KSzegi/Reef Tank/file_zpsd445778f.jpg


HI all .

I noticed these small copepod sized flat gliding flatworms on my glass , which seem to be eathing the algae on glass surface.
they are about 1 to 1.5mm small, about size of copepods, but with pointy head, and rear looks like two fins on tail.............. not red
looks like clear with inside of slight brown color.

I fear it is affecting corals ? or are they harmless.?

I ask because some zoa colonies are closed, and the acro and monti frags are closed up.


tank parameters are

salinity 1.026
ph 8,3
dkh 8
calcium 500
nitrate near zero using inaccurate API tests
phosphate, near zero, but API tests

It is a small 32 gallon biocube, which i have a skimmer, nitrate and phosphate pads, carbon, and small refugium of chaeto in one area, and gracilaria in another area.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes and if also look similar to the little demons on the game Pac man, you have them. Product- flatworm exit works well as does a lunare/melanurus/6 lined wrasse. There is likely eggs somewhere in system besides the ones you see.

 

[oceanrider]

hi... thanks vetteguy.

do these actually attack corals ?
Is there a link regarding these flatworms ?

I heard that flatworm exit may be bad for other reef animals.

I have a pipefish , mulitibanded pipefish, that is very slow eater, and would prefer not to put a wrasse inside the tank.,, since he may outcompete the pipefish for food.

Will these go away be themselves ? Are the flatworms herbivours ?

Thanks

 

[vetteguy53081]

Oh no- they lay eggs and multiply like mice. I understand on the wrasse, however, you may have to set something up for pipefish temporarily if utilizing wrasse. I have heard of one case with flatworm exit causing a reef issue.
One has to remember with treatments......USEABLE GALLONS !!

WHAT IS USEABLE GALLONS??
Useable gallons is a case where as an example you have a 50 gallon tank. You place a few rocks and a heater and a couple of water flow pumps within the tank. In essence you have reduce the full empty space thereby reducing the amount of gallon capacity, SO - - with rocks, etc that 50 gallon tank has maybe 36 useable gallons. Without considering this , a normal hobbyist will overdose with treatment(s).

 

[oceanrider]

What do these flatworms eat ? I see them on the glass where I have some minor algae. Are they herbivores ?

Will they eat corals ? I have one montipora that looks like something has been eating it

 

[oceanrider]

I did shine some bright blue LED lights on the tank and many corals and even gracillaria algae changed color. Seemed all bleached out.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[oceanrider]

The bottom picture. Not red not rust

 

[KJ]

Acoel brown flatworm.

 

[Reefman71]

Flatworm exit. It’s the real deal. Dose twice though

 

[reef lover]

Flatworms release toxins when killed i would siphon out as many as you can into a filter sock. And maybe think about getting a wrasse.

 

[kirstyflash]

Flatworm exit. It’s the real deal. Dose twice though

How long after the first dose?

 

[vetteguy53081]

How long after the first dose?

48 hrs. They leave eggs which need to be taken down as fast as they were released.

 

[Nanosheriff10]

+1 Flatworm exit. The stuff is insane. DO NOT FORGET to run carbon afterwards or you WILL wipe your tank

 

[Reefman71]

I double dosed what the instructions said the first time. I had them bad!! To me the key is waiting at least a hour before adding carbon. It takes from the exit also. Use a tube and vacuum as many as you can the first hour then add carbon. 2 hours do a water change. Wait a week and dose again. Same method.

 

[Reefman71]

You may have to do 3 doses, 1 isn’t going to do it

 

[madweazl]

I have many flatworms in my tank that bug nothing, are you sure these are doing anything harmful? I'm not fan of eradicating things just for the principle. Flat worms typically don't eat montis, that is usually nudibranchs.