ID this flatworm please

[ScottB]

I've had a very recent explosion of these flatworms. Perhaps my wrasses (Melanurus, Six-line) are following stay at home orders.

They are not ghost flatworms and I don't think they are red planaria, but they are holding on to the undersides of several small acro colonies. Many are large, nearly 3/8ths inch. Very pale brown. I never see them on the glass but can blow off several from a few colonies with a powerhead. I have not had any significant acro mortality -- maybe chopped up 2 small colonies in the last several months out of 100 pieces.

Q1: What are they?
Q2: Should I FlatWorm Exit them?

 

[TriggerFinger]

I believe those are Acro eating flatworms but someone else will chime in I’m sure.

 

[ScottB]

I believe those are Acro eating flatworms but someone else will chime in I’m sure.

Sadly, I think you are correct.

 

[TriggerFinger]

Sorry @ScottB. I think I’ve seen threads where people have beat them though I don’t recall what they used for treatment.

 

[vetteguy53081]

+1 on acro and they can be beat. First recourse is to siphon as many as you can.
These are not something wrasses will eat, however blue velvet nudibranchs will. You will likely have to treat tank with Flatworm stop and siphon up the dead ones daily until you see no more and DO look out for eggs after treatment. Daily siphon is important to avoid release of toxins from the dead ones.

EGGS:

 

[ScottB]

+1 on acro and they can be beat. First recourse is to siphon as many as you can.
These are not something wrasses will eat, however blue velvet nudibranchs will. You will likely have to treat tank with Flatworm stop and siphon up the dead ones daily until you see no more and DO look out for eggs after treatment. Daily siphon is important to avoid release of toxins from the dead ones.

EGGS:

Thanks vette. So you are not a fan of Flatworm Exit?

 

[TriggerFinger]

I googled it...looks like flatworm stop is specific to acro flatworms where as flatworm exit works on the “other” kinds. Here is the BRS link for flatworm stop if you want to take a look. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/korallen-zucht-flatworm-stop.html