Red planaria or ?

[pharazon]

Hello!

Everything is going pretty good with my tank - the corals are growing, params are stable... but I have flatworms. LOTS of flatworms.

They definitely congregate on a specific rock, but otherwise all over the sand bed and starting to climb the glass. I just wanted to get an accurate ID on the type so I can tailor my plan of action. I’ve done lots of internet searches and seen all sorts of shapes and colors labeled as every kind of flatworm, so I’m hoping to get a concrete ID.

Pardon the finger, but I used it to make my camera focus properly, while also giving an accurate color and size scale.

As always, I appreciate everyone’s help immensely!

 

[Yati]

That’s exactly what they are.. you can get some flatworm exit, siphon them out or get yourself a wrasse to make quick work of them

 

[pharazon]

That’s exactly what they are.. you can get some flatworm exit, siphon them out or get yourself a wrasse to make quick work of them

I have a Yellow Coris on order and I am going to start siphoning tonight. I’m trying to avoid FWE, but I wanted to confirm what they are so I know whether or not I need to run carbon while trying to kill ‘em.

 

[Tahoe61]

Red Planaria.

I would aggressively intervene, remember there are many more than you can see.

http://www.melevsreef.com/articles/how-to-eliminate-flatworms-red-planaria

 

[pharazon]

Red Planaria.

I would aggressively intervene, remember there are many more than you can see.

http://www.melevsreef.com/articles/how-to-eliminate-flatworms-red-planaria

Thanks! I’ve read that article and many others. I’m ready for a fight! ;Rage

 

[luckyazn6]

I was using flat worm exit when I found them on corals. Would just dip them in with old water change and fwe

 

[leaveittoreefer]

I had an infestation of these and it got to the point I had to use FWE because no amount of wrasses and syphoning would help. It did stress my corals quite a bit but they recovered. Just remember when these things die they release toxins so I recommend doing a full water change IMMEDIATELY after using it.

 

[pharazon]

I had an infestation of these and it got to the point I had to use FWE because no amount of wrasses and syphoning would help. It did stress my corals quite a bit but they recovered. Just remember when these things die they release toxins so I recommend doing a full water change IMMEDIATELY after using it.

Thanks for the input! They did not return after initial treatment?

 

[leaveittoreefer]

Thanks for the input! They did not return after initial treatment?

It’s been about a year now and haven’t seen one since. [emoji1303]

 

[pharazon]

It’s been about a year now and haven’t seen one since. [emoji1303]

Good to know! I’ve just started siphoning and I must say, these little dudes do get sucked up quite easily!

 

[leaveittoreefer]

Good to know! I’ve just started siphoning and I must say, these little dudes do get sucked up quite easily!

If it’s not too bad you may be able to avoid FWE. Of all the wrasses I had the six line and the melanurus ate them the most. I’d grab at least one of those to just keep it at bay because there will always be some you won’t see/can’t siphon out.

 

[pharazon]

If it’s not too bad you may be able to avoid FWE. Of all the wrasses I had the six line and the melanurus ate them the most. I’d grab at least one of those to just keep it at bay because there will always be some you won’t see/can’t siphon out.

I fear the wrath of a six line too much to consider it and my wife likes the yellow coris better. Yellow coris it is! The idea being that if the fish does nothing to help, we still like having it.

 

[hyprc]

If the tank is less than 65 gallons at least and you care about your fish I'd stay far away from a six line. A hoevens/melanurus wrasse or yellow coris as others have stated are better choices IMO. I dealt with them for over a year and a half and honestly only lost some zoas to them. They did aggravate some euphilia congregating around the base of the flesh but they didn't kill them. Siphon often. If you do use FWE read the directions, have ample carbon ready to run the second they start dying off in numbers and siphon patiently 3 days in a row before you do it as well as as they're dying (people have had really good ideas for running pumps to filter socks, etc...). You'll reduce your chances of issues.