FRUSTRATION TO THE MAX! Flat worm help.

[Christopher Davis]

So hard to say.
Take a look here.
https://www.lionfishlair.com/hitchhikers-guide/

I agree this is tough to say! Why didn't I invest in a microscope long ago!
It's looking like ployclad

 

[Christopher Davis]

That means they are predator flat worms correct as in kill invertebrates?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I agree this is tough to say! Why didn't I invest in a microscope long ago!
It's looking like ployclad

Lol. I have magnifing glasses and cheap plastic jewelers loupe.

But still if you know it's unger controll by the wrass in the other tank, and your not seeing snail loss you might be ok.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

That means they are predator flat worms correct as in kill invertebrates?

Hard to say.
I found one once, but had not had any losses, nor do I have wrasses.

 

[Christopher Davis]

Hard to say.
I found one once, but had not had any losses, nor do I have wrasses.

The ones that I found in my other tank were the typical ones you could say? Brown? Unless they are eating something different giving them a different color in my other tank... what has me weirded out is they actually swim when you touch them.
The others I've seen just slither as you would away

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

The ones that I found in my other tank were the typical ones you could say? Brown? Unless they are eating something different giving them a different color in my other tank... what has me weirded out is they actually swim when you touch them.
The others I've seen just slither as you would away

Yea, that's what's so odd. Looks like one , acts like another.
If you can, get more pics if possible and bump this thread again. Let's find out what they are.

@Lionfish Lair

 

[Christopher Davis]

Busted out the magnifying glass and some computer paper! Yay for primative science!

 

[Tahoe61]

Have you checked your acropora for FW?

 

[Christopher Davis]

Have you checked your acropora for FW?

Yes there are non in my big tank, and no SPS in the cube with them.

 

[JaimeAdams]

Where is @Lionfish Lair

 

[chivermcdar]

I had an issue with them once when I brought home some cerlupa from a LFS.
I put in a six line and all was taken care of within a few weeks.

 

[evolved]

Not sure of the compatibility of the melanarus with that yellow. Maybe a wrasse expert will chime in... @evolved .
That yellow wrasse is probably taking care of any pests you get in that tank.

They're usually okay together, but ymmv. Certainly best to use an acclimation box!

 

[VitaminD]

what dangers actually do flatworms of various cause to a reef tank ?

 

[JaimeAdams]

what dangers actually do flatworms of various cause to a reef tank ?

Depending on the type of flat worm they can eat your coral, eat your snails or simply smother your coral to the point that their tissue is covered and they don't get enough light to survive. Granted sometimes they can be managed and don't pose too much of an issue.

 

[NealH]

I put a blue damsel in my tank and he gobbled up every last flatworm in no time. I have a reefer 250.

 

[Rip Van Winkle]

This helped me in the past and might help you with your problem:
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/product-blue-velvet-nudibranch
Keep in mind it can get caught in the powerheads of your tank.
If it was me, I would go with more than one approach. A six-line was mentioned above and also dipping when possible and practical.

IMHO you will always have these to some degree, in your tank. The objective is not to tear down the tank to try to rid them completely. Just limit the population as much as possible.

Edit: I haven't dealt with this problem in a while but I think I remember I put lettuce in the bottom and the FW were attracted to that. Then just pull it out and throw it away. There's another thing, if you have a large infestation and then have a mass die-off of flatworms, it could be a problem as they will release toxins when they die.