friend or foe?

[Reef_Obsessed]

Hello all! So, I was looking at my reeftank with a magnifying glass, just to get a closer look at everything and I noticed small, red worm-like creatures crawling on my green leather mushroom. I can see some red dots with the naked eye, but with the magnifying glass, I can see them moving. I know pictures say a thousand words, but it is kind of hard taking pics of near microscopic life. For the past few days, I have noticed the leather is not extending the polyps.

The first thought was: "Red bugs", but after searching online, they do not appear to be that. Their entire bodies are red. Has anyone seen this on their leathers or does anyone know what these are?

Thanks,

Greg

 

[ritter6788]

Red planaria flatworms?

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

I have actually just spotted them crawling on my glass as well. Looking that close, they actually all look a yellowish/red with a white spot

 

[ronnie]

Planaria is my guess. Flatworm exit will do the trick on them. But you'll need to be ready to siphon them out as they release a toxin when they die that can crash your tank.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

I found this pic online. This is the best representation of what I see on my leather and on the glass

 

[ronnie]

Definitely planaria.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

so, are these beneficial or bad?

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Definitely planaria.

+1.

 

[ronnie]

so, are these beneficial or bad?

Not a good thing. But they are fairly benign as far as pests go.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

Not a good thing. But they are fairly benign as far as pests go.

would you recommend getting rid of them or leaving it alone? My tank has been doing great, all corals growing, spreading. The leather polyps do go in and out sometimes for days. Will these planaria kill coral or hurt fish?

 

[ronnie]

I'd get rid of them. They can start to cover coral and are a nuisance.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

I'd get rid of them. They can start to cover coral and are a nuisance.

Ok, well, at this point, I do not see them covering everything. I would hate to risk crashing my tank if there is like 20 of them in there. If I see a progressing issue, I'll take care of it. I suppose I'll go out and get some Flatworm exit tomorrow. Doesn't hurt to have it handy. Thanks a lot for your help. I appreciate it.

 

[ronnie]

Treat before they get out of hand and they won't have as big an impact on your tank

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

yeah, I think you are right Ronnie. I read more into them and if I do it right, the tank should be fine. I don't want an outbreak. It's only a 10 gallon tank so I do not need too much chemical. I'll get my syphon and carbon ready. Thanks again Ronnie

 

[ronnie]

No problem. Have you looked at setting up a QT tank? I fought not having one for several years until I lost thousands of dollars of acros to aefw. I dipped everything in Bayer, but still ended up with them as I missed a clutch of eggs at some point.

I now employ a 20g long as my Qt and I dip everything for 60 days (every six days) in Bayer.

Just food for thought as you progress in this hobby. It is worth it to set one up and doesn't take much work once it's established. I have about 20lbs of rock in mine that is from my old tank so I would be well established for any coral that goes in there.

 

[Reef_Obsessed]

No problem. Have you looked at setting up a QT tank? I fought not having one for several years until I lost thousands of dollars of acros to aefw. I dipped everything in Bayer, but still ended up with them as I missed a clutch of eggs at some point.

I now employ a 20g long as my Qt and I dip everything for 60 days (every six days) in Bayer.

Just food for thought as you progress in this hobby. It is worth it to set one up and doesn't take much work once it's established. I have about 20lbs of rock in mine that is from my old tank so I would be well established for any coral that goes in there.

Actually, I have an empty 20 gallon available now. Good idea! I, too, have never used a QT tank, but I think it's time to change my game