Worm ID needed

[acropora123]

Found these worms in high concentrations in my coral tanks - not sure what they could be and need an ID! Thanks!

Not sure if it’s a type of flatworm? Finding them on tank sides and other surfaces but they don’t seem to be on the corals. They move quickly as well - hopefully the attached video works!

 

[Goaway]

Yes, it is a flatworm. You will still want to remove them. Which species is difficult to say. But, I wager on planarian flatworm.

 

[Soren]

I can't identify for sure, but you could look up information about Acoel flatworms to see if you have a match.

 

[acropora123]

Yes, it is a flatworm. You will still want to remove them. Which species is difficult to say. But, I wager on planarian flatworm.

Thanks for the response! What’s interesting is that under the scope it doesn’t look like the ocelli are present - or at least they don’t stand out to me like they do in flatworm photos I’m looking at online.

 

[acropora123]

I can't identify for sure, but you could look up information about Acoel flatworms to see if you have a match.

Awesome - this helps a lot! I'm seeing photos which look very similar to the flatworms I have in my tanks. Seems like their diet consists of detritus, algae and copepods - so may not be a massive issue for my coral tanks? What would be your advice?

 

[Soren]

Awesome - this helps a lot! I'm seeing photos which look very similar to the flatworms I have in my tanks. Seems like their diet consists of detritus, algae and copepods - so may not be a massive issue for my coral tanks? What would be your advice?

I don't know much about them other than a bit of reading about them during my general research about marine aquariums.
From what I remember, they are typically less of a concern than the red planarian flatworms that smother and consume corals.

You'll have to do your own research on them and/or await an answer from someone with more experience than I have to answer your question.

 

[EricR]

Wow, that's a fast mover.
I just recently got some tiny, transparent flatworms on the glass and they barely move (visually).

Mine haven't seemed to bother my zoas (yet) ... knock on wood.

Good luck,,, following...

 

[A Young Reefer]

As long as its not Red Planaria, Polyclad, Acropora Eating or Pumpkin Flatworms (which yours does not look like any of those) I wouldn't be concerned.
IF you want to remove them Halichoeres wrasses can be one solution.
check this out for more info: https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/guide-to-common-hitchhikers-in-reef-tanks.861/