What is this stuff

[BMan]

They are all over the place. Seems to subside and then spike again. First i thought it was a type of algae. But i see one spot on the glass and it looks like it has a flatworm type shape to it.

 

[3mm3]

Red planaria

http://www.melevsreef.com/critter/red-planaria-flatworms

 

[tankstudy]

They are flatworms. A ton of them.

 

[XNavyDiver]

It might be red planaria flatworms. Get a sample in a dish, to get a close up.

 

[BMan]

That's what I see on the glass. How to get rid of them ?

 

[XNavyDiver]

That's what I see on the glass. How to get rid of them ?

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sali...MI9dSRobCK2AIVCLvsCh3M6gzDEAQYAiABEgK0o_D_BwE

 

[3mm3]

That's what I see on the glass. How to get rid of them ?

Tough call on that. Lots of people seem to use chemicals such as flatworm exit (I personally do not use chemicals for anything). I used a different tactic and used a velvet nudibranch when I had them. I have heard of certain fish that also will eat them such as some types of wrasse like the yellow coris. Also target mandarin but that would bring new issues such as diet for the fish long term.

Edit: Red planaria are toxic so if you do use chemical warfare please research a lot as the dying worms can wipe out a tank.

 

[XNavyDiver]

Edit: Red planaria are toxic so if you do use chemical warfare please research a lot as the dying worms can wipe out a tank.

True. Vacuum out all you can see. Then treat. Then vacuum out the dead. Run GAC.

 

[BMan]

I will call LFS tomorrow and see if I can place an order for velvet nudibranch.

 

[BMan]

What else eats them ?

 

[3mm3]

What else eats them ?

A six line wrasse may eat them but the fish is a major pain.
A red scooter blenny may also

 

[BMan]

A six line wrasse may eat them but the fish is a major pain.
A red scooter blenny may also

I now the LFS has a small 6 line in there tank. Why is it a PIA ?

 

[3mm3]

I now the LFS has a small 6 line in there tank. Why is it a PIA ?

I have owned quite a few over the years and almost every one had a really bad temper with certain fish. I have had a very well behaved one though but lost it earlier this year with a fish disease that tore through my display. Mine in the past hated basslets and other wrasses. They where okay with angels and tangs though.

 

[BMan]

I only have two clowns, goby/shrimp pair and a red neon goby.

 

[Kamden Uelton]

Mimic Filefish eat them, at least mines does.

 

[wattson]

melanarus wrasse,,springeri damsels,,halicoris wrasses might be good too

 

[Maggie321]

How long have they been around. I would wait at least 8 to 10 weeks before adding anything to your tank. Mine took about 8 weeks to cycle out but I only have a 39g tank. May take longer on larger tanks, I'm not sure. It's hard to get a fish or critter out when it's done doing their "job" so unless that is one of the fish or critters you've been wanting, I would wait as long as possible to add it. Remember nothing good happens fast.

 

[BMan]

How long have they been around. I would wait at least 8 to 10 weeks before adding anything to your tank. Mine took about 8 weeks to cycle out but I only have a 39g tank. May take longer on larger tanks, I'm not sure. It's hard to get a fish or critter out when it's done doing their "job" so unless that is one of the fish or critters you've been wanting, I would wait as long as possible to add it. Remember nothing good happens fast.

Good advice. I don’t really want to add any fish. My Clowns are happy having the tank to themselves. Are you telling my that the flatworms will cycle out of existence ? They have been around for at least 6 weeks, maybe more.

 

[Maggie321]

Good advice. I don’t really want to add any fish. My Clowns are happy having the tank to themselves. Are you telling my that the flatworms will cycle out of existence ?

Mine did. I bought flatworm exit in case they didn't go away, but I never opened the box. Truth is, as long as they aren't destroying your corals, they likely won't be a huge problem. They might be an eyesore for a while though.
How old is your tank?
How long have you had these?
If it's less than a year old and you've had the flatworms for only a few weeks, I would wait to "nuke" the tank.
Observe them for a few weeks an write down how many you see, or better yet take a picture of the worst spot in the tank once or twice a week for a month or so. Then you can compare visually how bad it is. The numbers may be dwindling already and you just think they are bad still.

 

[BMan]

Mine did. I bought flatworm exit in case they didn't go away, but I never opened the box. Truth is, as long as they aren't destroying your corals, they likely won't be a huge problem. They might be an eyesore for a while though.
How old is your tank?
How long have you had these?
If it's less than a year old and you've had the flatworms for only a few weeks, I would wait to "nuke" the tank.
Observe them for a few weeks an write down how many you see, or better yet take a picture of the worst spot in the tank once or twice a week for a month or so. Then you can compare visually how bad it is. The numbers may be dwindling already and you just think they are bad still.

The tank is about 11 months old. It’s doing fantastic. No real problems. I noticed the red flatworms about month Ago. Could have been longer. I didn’t pay any attention to them because I thought I was looking at a type of red algae.