Pest ID

[Lovefish77]

I found those creatures on a torch, it does not look good. The torch has been receding recently.

I also experienced some acro death.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks a lot

 

[BiGGiePauls33]

Definitely flatworms, have a look here: https://www.google.com/search?sa=X&...HbZHBjsQjJkEegQIAxAB&biw=1280&bih=578&dpr=1.5

and here for polyclad flatworms: https://www.google.com/search?q=pol...uopu4Bg&bih=578&biw=1280&rlz=1C1CHBF_en&hl=en

 

[Lovefish77]

thanks, are they targeting Euphylia specifically? or have a broader menu? So far based on some quick research they only attack Euphyllia, but just want to get your take on it guys. Does it attach other LPS (lobo, elegance, gonipora)? Does it attack SPS? Does it attach anemones (that is very IMPORTANT to me)?

I am reading there is a variety of flat worms that can attach Euphyllia. Any specific name on the one i posted? Just to do more research.

 

[Lovefish77]

Just came across this and it says polyclad worms can target acropora too?!

Gusanos polyclad, tu peor pesadilla - Blog Coral Wonders

Asombrosos y devastadores, descubre por qué los gusanos polyclad se pueden convertir en la peor pesadilla de tu acuario y cómo acabar con ellos para siempre

blog.coralwonders.com

 

[Lovefish77]

Any thoughts anyone?

 

[JGT]

Seems to focus on Euphyllia, but doesn’t really matter. Need to get them out and then look for their eggs as well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It is a polyclad and although not a coral killer can cause havoc by smothering a coral. . blocking light to create its food source zooanthele. Siphoning is easiest way to remove them especially if not in large number in your tank
6 line, lunare or melanurus wrasse should eat them.
You can also kill them chemically with salifert flatworm stop BUT be sure to siphon dead ones asap which can release toxins. Inspect tank daily for 10 days for sign of eggs which are really tiny.

 

[C. Eymann]

Yeah, thats a baddie, remove and look for egg masses, check over all your other LPS too.

There are many many different types of coral eating flatworms, some only predate on certain genus' of coral like AEFW, some exclusively feed on euphyllia, goniopora, plerogyra, etc etc. There are some that will predate on multiple types of coral and even mollusks.

 

[Lovefish77]

Seems to focus on Euphyllia, but doesn’t really matter. Need to get them out and then look for their eggs as well.

thanks, so should be Euphyillia only?

 

[Lovefish77]

It is a polyclad and although not a coral killer can cause havoc by smothering a coral. . blocking light to create its food source zooanthele. Siphoning is easiest way to remove them especially if not in large number in your tank
6 line, lunare or melanurus wrasse should eat them.
You can also kill them chemically with salifert flatworm stop BUT be sure to siphon dead ones asap which can release toxins. Inspect tank daily for 10 days for sign of eggs which are really tiny.

So I found this coral receding so I moved it to my nano as I am having nutrient swings in my 75. This morning I found those worms on it, dipped heavy in revive and brushed away the eggs, then back to the nano. Now for the 75, it used to be close to other Euphyillia all seem fine, inspected with a magnifying glass(inside the tank) and no visible signs of them. I will keep a close eye and maybe take all euphyiilis out to inspect or dip as needed. Other Lps like elegance and duncan seem ok so far. There is slight recession with lobo so maybe I will inspect that outside of the tank too.
Dnt want to go the chemical route now as tank is stressed from nutrient swing and also some lost corals ((acros and cyphastrea).
Recommend anything else?
I have a 6 line but apparently not doing his job

 

[JGT]

thanks, so should be Euphyillia only?

Eh, probably, but wouldn’t limit to just Euphys. Removing them is easy but the eggs can be a hassle. Look at the bases of the plugs and brush off outside the tank with a tooth brush. In fact, I feel like I see some in pic #1 to the right of the right corner.

 

[C. Eymann]

thanks, so should be Euphyillia only?

I would check all your lps corals, yes there are some that only predate on euphyllia but there are others that will go after many different genus's of coral, and they can look nearly identical.

Get some jeweler specs/ magnification lenses to find egg masses, very small green- golden brown eggs in masses usually right where the tissue shealth meets the skeleton

 

[Lovefish77]

Eh, probably, but wouldn’t limit to just Euphys. Removing them is easy but the eggs can be a hassle. Look at the bases of the plugs and brush off outside the tank with a tooth brush. In fact, I feel like I see some in pic #1 to the right of the right corner.

Yes I saw these egg patches too and removed with a brush....done. Will check Euphys but they are not on plugs but chunky porous rocks. I can remove them but eggs could be invisible you know.

 

[Lovefish77]

I would check all your lps corals, yes there are some that only predate on euphyllia but there are others that will go after many different genus's of coral, and they can look nearly identical.

Get some jeweler specs/ magnification lenses to find egg masses, very small green- golden brown eggs in masses usually right where the tissue shealth meets the skeleton

Ok cool thanks. I have like 5x magnifying glass with light that I have been using just now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Polyclad Flatworms lay their eggs along the body of the skeletal structure up to where the polyps extend out of the skeleton. The eggs can also be difficult to spot. More importantly, dipping will do absolutely nothing to Polyclad Flatworm eggs.​

 

[Lovefish77]

Fwiw this torch and lobo are the last corals I got like 6 weeks ago and of course I dipped under strong light but didnt see anything. Can eggs take like 6-7 weeks to hatch?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I found this coral receding so I moved it to my nano as I am having nutrient swings in my 75. This morning I found those worms on it, dipped heavy in revive and brushed away the eggs, then back to the nano. Now for the 75, it used to be close to other Euphyillia all seem fine, inspected with a magnifying glass(inside the tank) and no visible signs of them. I will keep a close eye and maybe take all euphyiilis out to inspect or dip as needed. Other Lps like elegance and duncan seem ok so far. There is slight recession with lobo so maybe I will inspect that outside of the tank too.
Dnt want to go the chemical route now as tank is stressed from nutrient swing and also some lost corals ((acros and cyphastrea).
Recommend anything else?
I have a 6 line but apparently not doing his job

If theyre too big for 6 line to consume, it will not touch it
Yellow coris wrasse is another that will eat it

 

[Lovefish77]

If theyre too big for 6 line to consume, it will not touch it
Yellow coris wrasse is another that will eat it

I see the one i saw today was like 0.75" when stretched. Can Corris wrasse handle that? I dont have a sand bed that is the only limit for wrasses.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I see the one i saw today was like 0.75" when stretched. Can Corris wrasse handle that? I dont have a sand bed that is the only limit for wrasses.

Virus will tear and eat
An old trick for no sandbed is to fill a bowl half way with sand for the wrasses enjoyment

 

[Lovefish77]

Virus will tear and eat
An old trick for no sandbed is to fill a bowl half way with sand for the wrasses enjoyment

By virus you mean corris? Lol
And is it a hit and miss? Or they do eat that stuff?