Flatworm ID and ways to kill them

[silenthuntertm]

I just siphoned these out, I think they killed my hammer. My tank is currently fallow until 27th October because of a recent ich outbreak and now I have these things infesting my tank. Need help IDing them and ways to kill them. I just lost my fishes recently and am not willing to lose any more corals. Thanks

 

[silenthuntertm]

I have heard wrasses can control flatworms. Thinking about getting a possum wrasse after my fallow period is done IF they can help. For now, should I just use flatworm exit? Will that kill them? They really blend in well with the rocks so its hard to spot them. I siphoned out this many so I think my tank is infested with them. Dipped my hammer a couple of times and they fell off but then came again. Tonight, my hammer is dead I think, and I can still see them on it. Sometimes I see them on my glass. Its brown and has a red dot on it. Sometimes theyre just brown. When on rocks, it looks purple.

 

[IKD]

Definitely flatworms. Here is a good article to reference. Several options to treat them

Flatworms: The Good, the Bad, and the Pretty Terrifying, Part 1

A description and discussion of marine aquarium flatworms and what to do about them.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[jayala12]

I had the same ones and I took a chance on a spotted mandarin. I read a few places that they ate them. Fast forward 2 months and my tank is completely clear of them. Pretty crazy and I’m pretty sure I just got lucky but I didn't do anything else. Well I did a flatworm exit treatment but I must of did something wrong cuz it didn’t work and I had them everywhere still.

 

[exnisstech]

Tank is fallow so it may be a good time to use flatworm exit since you won't have to worry about the toxins harming fish. I'm not sure if the toxins harm coral but I have not read that it does. There are wrasses that eat them. I just added a melanurus for that purpose. As bad as the infestation is I would be afraid it getting worse durring the fallow period.

 

[silenthuntertm]

I had the same ones and I took a chance on a spotted mandarin. I read a few places that they ate them. Fast forward 2 months and my tank is completely clear of them. Pretty crazy and I’m pretty sure I just got lucky but I didn't do anything else. Well I did a flatworm exit treatment but I must of did something wrong cuz it didn’t work and I had them everywhere still.

That’s good to know. The spotted mandarin does seem interesting to have in a tank. But as my tank is currently fallow, I’ll have to wait before I add new fishes.

Tank is fallow so it may be a good time to use flatworm exit since you won't have to worry about the toxins harming fish. I'm not sure if the toxins harm coral but I have not read that it does. There are wrasses that eat them. I just added a melanurus for that purpose. As bad as the infestation is I would be afraid it getting worse durring the fallow period.

Is it true that the flatworm toxins wont harm corals? What about inverts? I do have a couple of snails, hermits and shrimps.

 

[exnisstech]

Is it true that the flatworm toxins wont harm corals? What about inverts? I do have a couple of snails, hermits and shrimps.

I have not read about it harming coral. To to be honest I didn't think about inverts. Let's see what someone more knowledgeable has to say.

 

[silenthuntertm]

Definitely flatworms. Here is a good article to reference. Several options to treat them

Flatworms: The Good, the Bad, and the Pretty Terrifying, Part 1

A description and discussion of marine aquarium flatworms and what to do about them.

www.reef2reef.com

Thanks for this. Great piece of guide and explanation.

 

[silenthuntertm]

Siphoned a lot of them again today. Contemplating whether I should use salifert’s flatworm exit or continue siphoning them every night. Any advice on the best move from a fellow reefer?

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Siphoned a lot of them again today. Contemplating whether I should use salifert’s flatworm exit or continue siphoning them every night. Any advice on the best move from a fellow reefer?

As @exnisstech said, this is a good time to try FW Exit. If you have sensitive corals you're worried about you can try putting them in a temporary tank during treatment.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

This may be helpful

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

www.melevsreef.com

 

[Reef-Mart]

Best treatment I ever had for these kind of FW was a Springerii Damsel. Only problem is Damsels are jerks.

 

[silenthuntertm]

As @exnisstech said, this is a good time to try FW Exit. If you have sensitive corals you're worried about you can try putting them in a temporary tank during treatment.

This may be helpful

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

www.melevsreef.com

Thank you! I’ve made my mind to use flatworm exit. I’ll closely follow the guide closely.

Best treatment I ever had for these kind of FW was a Springerii Damsel. Only problem is Damsels are jerks.

Yeah fishes are gonna have to wait until my fallow period is over. Springerii Damsel do seem interesting but due to damsels history, I don’t think it’s a good idea to add them. I got my eyes on a possum wrasse. Any idea if they’re any good at flatworm control?

 

[Ziggy17]

Exit worked well for me to get rid of the majority of them. Then my Melanarus wrasse keeps the population non existent.