flatworms on snail shells in QT

Hermie · Feb 2, 2020

Hey... I have 4 astrea snails that've been in a QT tank for many months now, ready to be transferred to main tank, but the QT has a "ton" of small flatworms that love to chill on the glass and eat, I assume, copepods and the like. The problem is that I don't want to transfer any flatworms into my main tank when I move the snails... Should I just give it up and not move the snails? I could use a toothbrush to clean the snail shells, but I might miss some juvenile flatworms or whatever their lifecycle entails... I could dip the snails in a treatment of anti-flatworm medication...

What do you think?

fishguy242 · Feb 3, 2020

hi temperate fresh water quick swish works every time jmo

TK_KW · Feb 9, 2020

I literally have this same question today lol, as I want to transfer. #reefsquad, what are you thoughts? Any additional info to add for this question in op?

TK_KW · Feb 9, 2020

@Billldg any thoughts on op question?

Billldg · Feb 9, 2020

TK_KW said:
@Billldg any thoughts on op question?

Sorry, I never had to deal with flatworms yet, thankfully, so no info. I am sure someone from the #reefsquad will have the answer though.

vetteguy53081 · Feb 9, 2020

If theyre on the snails, theyre in the tank overall. Do you have pic of flatworms?
There is planaria type reddish in color, acoel that are clear as is ghost type.
Most lunare and melanurus wrasse will eat them.
Flatworm exit will do the trick but I try to use chemical method when all else fails

Hermie · Feb 9, 2020

I am considering a praziquantel dip but not sure what the right dose would be, considering it's a snail, mine look just like this (found pic on google)

do you think a dragonette might eat them?

fishguy242 · Feb 9, 2020

they will just fall off and melt w a fw temperate dip, try one let everyone know

kireek · Feb 10, 2020

I am not sure what the best course of action would be.I would worry about a freshwater dip harming the snail.Although I have never tried this personally. It would be worthwhile to eliminate the flatworms from the quarantine. However you may be looking at Acoel flatworms which seem to be getting mixed reviews.

acoel flatworm

Hi guys! :) I have noticed a few flatworms and have now thx to you guys found out that it`s most likely a acoel flatworm. I have tested a few ways to kill them in a container since i dont relay like to put chemicals in to my tank. So i would like to test the effects first. So what i have...

www.reef2reef.com

Ross Petersen · Jan 22, 2021

Bump on this thread here. I have acoel flatworms in my coral and invert 20 gallon QT tank as well (Waminoa genus in particular). Pondering a 100% water change (plus chemical clean) and dipping all corals and inverts in flatworm exit and corals also in revive.

Thoughts on this? Might not work with eggs on the corals / snails.

armandoarturo · Sep 22, 2023

Hermie said:
Hey... I have 4 astrea snails that've been in a QT tank for many months now, ready to be transferred to main tank, but the QT has a "ton" of small flatworms that love to chill on the glass and eat, I assume, copepods and the like. The problem is that I don't want to transfer any flatworms into my main tank when I move the snails... Should I just give it up and not move the snails? I could use a toothbrush to clean the snail shells, but I might miss some juvenile flatworms or whatever their lifecycle entails... I could dip the snails in a treatment of anti-flatworm medication...

What do you think?

What did you do?
I have the exact same situation and I dont know what to do…

The_Paradox · Sep 22, 2023

armandoarturo said:
What did you do?
I have the exact same situation and I dont know what to do…

Boiling kills all common flatworms.

It’s personal choice. As long as they were not the red ones I would just FW dip and move on with my life. Red ones I’d boil.