rust brown flatworms and SPS

[BAUCE]

My tank is around 6 months old and I've been trying to figure out whats going on with my SPS. It might be that I started with all dry rock but I see this tiny rust brown looking flatworms in my tank. They mostly hang out in low flow areas where there is algae. I've noticed some of them on sps that have been receding though. I dont think they're red planaria because they seem much smaller and not as fat.

I've searched online to see if they've been an issue for other SPS keepers and found nothing. I have some flatworm exit on hand but also bought a few yellow corris wrasses today.

Should I just get this over with and use FWE after siphoning out the ones i can see?

 

[sawdonkey]

I had these a while ago. Never bothered anything. I did run one dose of FWE and haven't seen one in months.

 

[DFW]

I read that some have taken small power heads, or turkey basters to their acros to dislodge the worms so that the wrasses can find them and eat them. But that does not take care of the eggs that are laid on any dead parts of the skeleton, very often at the base of the acro. You need to take the coral out of the tank to find, and remove those eggs, and/or super glue over the top of them. While you have them out of the tank you want to dip the acros. I think that most use Bayer complete insecticide for that purpose. Also, there has just been posted here on this forum a thread about a brand new experimental in tank treatment. Search "AEFW" to find it!

This is for the worms that are eating on your acros. The planaria will disappear as you improve flow, and cleanliness in your tank, I do believe.

 

[sawdonkey]

I read that some have taken small power heads, or turkey basters to their acros to dislodge the worms so that the wrasses can find them and eat them. But that does not take care of the eggs that are laid on any dead parts of the skeleton, very often at the base of the acro. You need to take the coral out of the tank to find, and remove those eggs, and/or super glue over the top of them. While you have them out of the tank you want to dip the acros. I think that most use Bayer complete insecticide for that purpose. Also, there has just been posted here on this forum a thread about a brand new experimental in tank treatment. Search "AEFW" to find it!

This is for the worms that are eating on your acros. The planaria will disappear as you improve flow, and cleanliness in your tank, I do believe.

I don't think the op is describing aefw. You are describing aefw treatment. I believe they are describing acole flatworms, which are mostly harmless. Like red planaria, FWE will kill them.

Op, do the flatworms have a forked tail (acole) a trident tail (red planaria) or are they round/oval (aefw)?

I'm doubting that acole flatworms are eating your coral. Probably just on it. Run some FWE.

 

[Diesel]

I agree in running FWE and within 2 hours run a reactor with activated carbon.
Yellow coris are perfect as also a Loapard wrasses and Ruby red scooters.
I had some wild SPS colonies in my frag quaritine tank with these flatworms and ran FWE twice, first time to kill every FW alive and a week later any FW that came from eggs for the final destruction.
In all my frag tanks I have six lines and yellowtail damsels.
They will take care of any kind of FW and bugs as the hated red bugs.
Btw, I never ever put a coral straight in my DT, always quaritine them for at least 4 weeks

 

[sealbeach1]

Hello Diesel,
Not jump in on a non-related subject, Your chalices that got from you are doing great.

David

 

[Diesel]

Great to hear that, David.
But you did just that...... jump in on a non related subject, lol.
Back to topic!

 

[DFW]

I don't think the op is describing aefw. You are describing aefw treatment. I believe they are describing acole flatworms, which are mostly harmless. Like red planaria, FWE will kill them.

Op, do the flatworms have a forked tail (acole) a trident tail (red planaria) or are they round/oval (aefw)?

I'm doubting that acole flatworms are eating your coral. Probably just on it. Run some FWE.

"I've noticed some of them on sps that have been receding though."

I saw this and made my comments based on potential aefw. There could be both in one tank at the same time, unfortunately.

 

[jda]

Levamisole and Flatworm Exit are quite safe in the reef tank. The dying worms are not as safe - have lots of activated carbon handy to absorb their nasty organic toxins. You will need to treat more than once to make sure that you get them all - each subsequent treatment will have less and less organics toxins.

 

[BAUCE]

The tails are forked at the end and they aren't as fat looking as planaria look in pictures.

I dipped a few pieces and found nothing that looked like aefw. Also found no eggs anywhere.

 

[sawdonkey]

Look like this? I this pic about six months ago in my tank. I haven't seen them since I ran FWE around that time.

 

[BAUCE]

Look like this? I this pic about six months ago in my tank. I haven't seen them since I ran FWE around that time.

yeah, thats them!

 

[fungia_fiend]

They're harmless unless they completely overrun your stuff to the point they're shading stuff out. I've noticed they like to get on acros that aren't doing well for other reasons. They aren't the cause, but you'll see them in higher numbers on a dying acro. At least I do.

 

[Ross Petersen]

Old thread here... is this the same type of flatworm discussed above? Came off a 2nd round of euphylia dips today with revive. Had a mildly red appearance to it. Jake Adams released a video on euphylia dipping and dozens of similar looking flatworms coming off. He suggested they are relatively benign. Your thoughts? Thx