Flatworms, coralline algae? Or am I just paranoid?

duberii · Sep 6, 2018

I got a duncan frag a few days ago and it's open and all- nothing wrong besides this stuff I'm looking at. There is this fleshy looking growth on the side of the skeleton part of the duncan. Is this the duncan growth, or some coralline algae, or some type of flatworm? Here are the best pictures I could get.

WV Reefer · Sep 6, 2018

duberii said:
I got a duncan frag a few days ago and it's open and all- nothing wrong besides this stuff I'm looking at. There is this fleshy looking growth on the side of the skeleton part of the duncan. Is this the duncan growth, or some coralline algae, or some type of flatworm? Here are the best pictures I could get.

Does sort of look like a flatworm. Does it move? Just take the frag out and do an examination.

trio91 · Sep 6, 2018

For the most part, flatworms do not have a tough grip on corals. I can't make it out in the picture but If it is one, you should easily be able to remove it with a quick dip. You can also squirt it with a plastic dipper or Turkey baster and they'll come right off. You'll know it when you see it.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 6, 2018

If you put it in a dish or bowl of tank water you could get a better picture.

I can’t make out enough detail.

duberii · Sep 6, 2018

WV Reefer said:
Does it move?

Doesn't seem to be moving.

trio91 said:
For the most part, flatworms do not have a tough grip on corals. I can't make it out in the picture but If it is one, you should easily be able to remove it with a quick dip. You can also squirt it with a plastic dipper or Turkey baster and they'll come right off. You'll know it when you see it.

Just did a freshwater dip (I think the Duncan can handle it)- the thing didn't budge. I accidentally touched it while picking up the frag, and it did seem slimy (like I'd imagine a flatworm would be).

This is really puzzling me! When I looked at it closer, the creature looked more tan than the purpleish it appears to be in the photo. It has some sort of pattern on it that reminds me of an AEFW, but I don't have any Acros in my tank, and it is much much bigger. It also seemed to deflate after I took it out, since it looks kinda puffy in the photo.

Anyway, I don't want to bother my duncan anymore after the dip, so I'll keep an eye on the creature and keep this updated.