Weird brown things.

Docdiggy · Apr 9, 2015

what the heck are these things? I thought they were some kind of algae. I saw a snail get close to one and it moved. I've had these for a while and they don't bother anything that I can tell.

143MPCo · Apr 9, 2015

If this is what you are referring to, it looks like a flatworm to me. #REEFSQUAD

Docdiggy · Apr 9, 2015

I was just doing a Google image search and came up with the same thing. I never noticed them move and thought it was some kind of algae. I've read scary stories about killing them. I have lots of them.

kschweer · Apr 9, 2015

I would agree with flatworm.

Docdiggy · Apr 9, 2015

It's weird cause I dip everything in Bayer first. I would think that would have prevented them.

143MPCo · Apr 9, 2015

Maybe one or two came in on a snail shell or something you wouldn't normally dip?

joekool · Apr 9, 2015

No bueno. Get that out of there.

Shep · Apr 9, 2015

Kill it with fire!

Docdiggy · Apr 9, 2015

So I was gonna siphon them into a filter sock before doing a treatment. Would that just smash them in the filter and cause problems. They seem to disintegrate pretty easily.

143MPCo · Apr 9, 2015

Docdiggy said:
So I was gonna siphon them into a filter sock before doing a treatment. Would that just smash them in the filter and cause problems. They seem to disintegrate pretty easily.

Nope, thats a good way to start, get as many as you possibly can, before treating!

Docdiggy · Apr 9, 2015

They wouldn't pollute the water going back in the sump through the sock? Some people just keep them in check, some use a sixline, and some use meds. I've been reading about all options.

143MPCo · Apr 9, 2015

Docdiggy said:
They wouldn't pollute the water going back in the sump through the sock? Some people just keep them in check, some use a sixline, and some use meds. I've been reading about all options.

Not until you start a treatment, I've only ever used flatworm exit and that had limited success, my sixline wouldn't touch them at all... had to treat two times over a 2 month time frame... followed the instructions to the letter.

shornik · Apr 9, 2015

143MPCo said:
If this is what you are referring to, it looks like a flatworm to me. #REEFSQUAD

That star fish also looks like a Asternia starfish, I'd get it out of the tank also.

Docdiggy · Apr 9, 2015

I have Tons of asternia. Never bothered a thing.

preston469 · Apr 9, 2015

Docdiggy said:
I have Tons of asternia. Never bothered a thing.

I wish my High end zoas said the same

Docdiggy · Apr 9, 2015

My low end zoas I guess are undesirable. Lol

gtbarsi · Apr 9, 2015

143MPCo said:
Not until you start a treatment, I've only ever used flatworm exit and that had limited success, my sixline wouldn't touch them at all... had to treat two times over a 2 month time frame... followed the instructions to the letter.

I'd still make sure I had a lot of carbon running before sucking them up just in case.

143MPCo · Apr 9, 2015

gtbarsi said:
I'd still make sure I had a lot of carbon running before sucking them up just in case.

I 2nd that!.... Not a bad recommendation!

Wiz · Apr 9, 2015

90% of asternia stars are perfectly okay it is on rare occasion you find one that eats zoas.. I enjoy the variety of life so I would not get rid of them unless they caused a problem but that is just an opinion. If you're like me you look at your tank every day at least once a day and you will notice if they start to cause a problem. But I would bet that most tanks have them and they are not a problem. as for the flat worm some are bad some are not. although with flatworms most are bad. it could have come from live sand if you have that. And dips are not always a hundred percent if the flat worms were inside a rock or something they could survive. I have had 6 types of flatworms now 4 I got rid of 2 still live in my fuge and does not cause a problem at all. Although the 1 in that picture looks like the type that would be soft corals to me especially leathers. Good luck