Polyclad Flatworm Removal

RobberyinCSharp1824 · Apr 7, 2016

I noticed recently that 6 of my turbo snails and 2 of my crabs had died in my tank, even though my water parameters were solid. Salinity, Ca, Mg, Alk, all checked out. I figured perhaps they weren't getting enough food since I was scraping my tank walls, trying to tackle an algae outbreak.

Lo and behold, I came home the other day, took a peek at my tank (which had the lights completely out, just some light from the window nearby) and found a polyclad flatworm in there, almost 4"+ long. In a total panic, I grabbed my net and tried to scoop him out, but he slithered under and cut himself in half, sliding into one of my live rocks.

I am worried that there are more flatworms in my tank, as I have noticed small critters on my glass in the past (which I was stupid enough to believe were baby turbo snails).

I know Flatworm Exit is a product that has worked for flatworms, but I don't know if it is effective with Polyclad. I also read about Bayer dips, but I am concerned about the coral I have on my LR. (I am guessing they'll need to be removed.

Ideally, I would like to get rid of these little pests without killing my coral/fish, but first and foremost, I'm trying desperately not to restart the cycle of my tank, since it's been established for 2 years now.

Help

twilliard · Apr 7, 2016

If your rocks can be removed find the one he is in and dip that rock.
FWE will not rid of him

RobberyinCSharp1824 · Apr 7, 2016

twilliard said:
If your rocks can be removed find the one he is in and dip that rock.
FWE will not rid of him

What kind of dip should I use? FW? Bayer pesticide?

Lionfish Lair · Apr 7, 2016

These things have certainly turned into a pain. Tagging along to see what y'all come up with.

twilliard · Apr 7, 2016

I just read coral revive will pull it out

twilliard · Apr 7, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
These things have certainly turned into a pain. Tagging along to see what y'all come up with.

Do you have them Renee?

Lionfish Lair · Apr 7, 2016

I had one given to me, but that's it. I USED to say it wasn't a big deal, just remove it..... but now I see that's not the fact with these guys.

RobberyinCSharp1824 · Apr 7, 2016

twilliard said:
I just read coral revive will pull it out

Interesting. I found a video for anyone if it is of use: (not sure if those are baby polyclads or not).

Will this handle any potential eggs they may have laid?

Lionfish Lair · Apr 7, 2016

They're not the same type or they wouldn't all be uniformly small.

RobberyinCSharp1824 · Apr 7, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
They're not the same type or they wouldn't all be uniformly small.

Valid point!

I wish people would call out the type of flatworm in their posts. It's made getting reliable info more difficult.

Lionfish Lair · Apr 7, 2016

There's so many types, it would be hard for a hobbyist to correctly ID down to the species or even genus. We've kind of taken to calling the big ones you have Polyclads, so even though it's correctly their scientific grouping, it's kind of become their common name as well.

RobberyinCSharp1824 · Apr 7, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
There's so many types, it would be hard for a hobbyist to correctly ID down to the species or even genus. We've kind of taken to calling the big ones you have Polyclads, so even though it's correctly their scientific grouping, it's kind of become their common name as well.

So do polyclads lay eggs like other flatworms I've read about? Or do they reproduce differently? I'm terrified to think there's eggs throughout my tank

RobberyinCSharp1824 · Apr 11, 2016

Many towels and buckets later, I went ahead and dipped all of my live rock in Coral Revive. I noticed the bristle worms were coming out flying by the dozen, but not the polyclad. Any advice? I thought I'd see it, but unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found. Is it possible they hide in the sand?