What kind of worm?

[JerseyReefer]

A bunch of these showed up in my tank all over the rocks and my softies. They are oval shaped and reddish brown. I noticed them a month or so ago, but they just recently exploded in population. Can you tell me what they are and how to get rid of them? Thanks so much!

Sorry this is blurry but I tried my best.

This is under a microscope. At that scale this thing moves super fast. Mesmerizing ;-)

 

[Gtinnel]

I can't tell anything from the pictures, but from the description it sounds like red planaria perhaps. Google them and see if they match.

 

[terraincognita]

looks like a flat worm to me for sure, not sure of species, definite foe, not friend.

Fortunately for me i've never had to deal with them in the hobby.

But if they're on your rocks, I imagine you'll have to do a rip clean and rock bath in either freshwater to save what bacteria you can, or a H202 dip on the rocks for 10-20 minutes. Most corals will survive a 10 minute H202 dip honestly. But I'd just put aside any you really dont want to lose.

There's no other way to gurantee the total removal of flat worms besides dosing the tank which IMPO Is a lot harder and harsher since you'll be killing anything inside, and having to relocate all living inhabitants. With this it's just the rock, and you're not even killing ALL the bacteria, just any inverts really.

There may be other remedies. But I've never dealt with them.

 

[Gtinnel]

looks like a flat worm to me for sure, not sure of species, definite foe, not friend.

I agree. I was just guessing red planaria because of the color description of reddish brown, although in the first picture it actually doesn't quite look red enough. As for the microscope picture I have no clue what a flatworm looks like under a microscope.

 

[JerseyReefer]

Here's a wider angle photo. Does this help confirm your thoughts?

 

[Gtinnel]

I'd still think they're red planaria. Absolutely flat worms though . Red planaria aren't too harmful, other than they will grow to plague proportions and eventually smother your corals.

They can be sucked up with a small tube, but you will never get all of them.

You can use a product like flatworm eXit to kill them, but when huge amounts of them die at once they can release a toxin that can hurt the tank. So if you go with chemicals make sure to read up on how to do it safely.

There are also some fish that will eat them. I know for a fact some wrasses will. I believe there is a type of damsel that will as well.

 

[JerseyReefer]

Thanks guys! Yeah I’m going to say they are red planaria. I’ll suck out what I can to keep under control and see what happens before going too aggressive.

 

[Gtinnel]

Thanks guys! Yeah I’m going to say they are red planaria. I’ll suck out what I can to keep under control and see what happens before going too aggressive.

I've never had to use the chemical method when I had then, I bought a fish that ate them.

When using the chemical treatment it's still best to spend a week or so sucking out as many as you can. So no matter which treatment you choose manually removing as many as possible is a great way to start.

 

[JerseyReefer]

I've never had to use the chemical method when I had then, I bought a fish that ate them.

When using the chemical treatment it's still best to spend a week or so sucking out as many as you can. So no matter which treatment you choose manually removing as many as possible is a great way to start.

Which fish did you get?

 

[Gtinnel]

I actually got 2 fish around that same time and I can't say for a fact which one is eating them (it could be both also). I got a melanarus wrasse and a spotted mandarin, I've read both will potentially eat them.
I suspect it's the wrasse though. I've never seen either fish actually eat one, but after adding the fish I quickly no longer saw any in my display.

 

[terraincognita]

Apparently a single six line wrasse will take care of them. in short time actually. Thats good news! .

I think it's AEF that no wrasse really eat? So at least you don't have any of those!

 

[TnFishwater98]

Thanks guys! Yeah I’m going to say they are red planaria. I’ll suck out what I can to keep under control and see what happens before going too aggressive.

Spotted Mandarin would hrr we play or a 6 line if you want to get aggressive with it.

 

[JerseyReefer]

Thanks guys! The mandarins in my experience are really hard to care for. Limited food options. I’ve been avoiding 6 line wrasses because they can be aggressive. My cleaner wrasse just jumped to his death the other day so maybe I’ll try a 6 line now. Blue Friday is coming up soon. Time to get some new buddies.

Note I just sucked out a ton of them. Tank looks clean but I can see ones that were hiding starting to come out. I’ll do it again in a couple days. Since this was a recent explosion I’m thinking I can keep up with it with regular maintenance.

 

[JerseyReefer]

Quick update. I kept sucking these out once a week and figured I didn’t change anything in my system to cause this outbreak so I would just stay calm. A few weeks ago I picked up a malanurus wrasse and I haven’t seen him eat any of them but I have noticed there are significantly less in my tank. The ones I see are not bothering the corals so I guess I’m good for now.