LF: Wrasse for eating flatworms
 

Looking for a wrasse to help take care of the polyclad flatworm problem that I've been having on my Torch coral. I've already Bayer dipped twice to kill the adult worms and scraped off the eggs couple weeks ago. However, I just had to scrape off more eggs again today. I suspect:headwalls: there may be one hiding in the rocks and laying eggs on the Torch Coral...the torch coral has not been happy lately.

According to what I've ready, it seems like a six-line or melanurus (Hoeven's) wrasse may be able to help...

Any advice is welcomed thanks.

I've read Springer damsels will take care of flat worms too just a thought

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Are you certain it's a polyclad flatworm, they're the large ones and they feed on clams and snails I think or is it the red/rust colored planarian flatworm? If it's a polyclad I don't think there's any fish that preys on it but not positive. If it's planaria then the wrasses you've mentioned will eat them but not guaranteed. I wouldn't get a sixline as they're punks. Yellow coris or the coris wrasses in particular are known to feed on them. There's also the chemical route for planaria but doesn't work on polyclad

Springeri Damsels eat red bugs not flatworms

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1620388
I read this so figured cool so they eat flat worms. Sorry

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When I had flat worms my yellow coris wrasse kept them in check very well until it decided to go carpet surfing....

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If it's Planaria, try a Leopard Wrasse of some sort.
I have a pair of Potters the wiped out a horrible infestation in a week.
And cover thine tanks with mesh!! Them wrasses are all jumpers.

I have a melanrus wrasse for $10 in long beach.

I do not believe it is planaria. The worm and eggs look just like the ones posted here:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2414643

In fact, my torch coral looked just like that before I dipped in bayer and scraped off the eggs. :hmm4:

Those look gross!

Well then you're correct. You are dealing with polyclad flatworms. Your link is good and I'd try just that, setting up a trap with clams and draw them in and then siphoning out. Do you have snails and if so has the population been declining?

My snail population has not been affected. So a wrasse would not be effective against polyclad flatworms?

Not in my research. They're pretty big. If you go to the other big forum, message Hunter/evolved is his username and ask him. He's a wrasse expert. Or, post in the fish forum here on RC

I can vouch on the melanrus wrasse it does the job.

Thanks again for the colorful wrasse. He's been having fun burrowing through out my tank. Don't see any more flatworms/eggs on my Duncan for now...hopefully they don't pop up down the road again.

That's interesting. So you think the melanurus eradicated the polyclad flatworms?

Can't say for certain as that Torch coral was recently dipped. I can only cross my fingers and hope they don't come back some time down the road.

+ on springer damsels. Small cute compact little fishies that only get aggressive towards you! (meaning your hand) Also I've heard they eat flatworms. Planning on getting one myself. Good luck mate.

I have a Christmas wrasse


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There's been mention of the Springeri Damsel being a flatworm eater. I have one and bought it because I have a non toxic type of tiny whitish flatworm which actually can sustain itself with light. It's harmless but annoying to me when I see it on my glass. The Damsel doesn't touch it. When I spoke with Dave about it who has seven or so Springeri in his outdoor system he let me know they don't eat flatworms they eat red bugs. It's a gorgeous fish, non aggressive and completely reef safe and I'll probably get another one just because they're so pretty. But, eats flake and frozen but not flatworms in my tank (wish it did)

Dodgerblew thanks for the heads up. Do you know if Springer damsels are compatible with Anthias? Thanks


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Yes they are. My suggestion with damsels is add them last

Thanks a million Dodgerblew!


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If the melanurus wrasse doesn't cut it I have a twin spot wrasse that will decimate whatever critters you have.

Dodgerblew do you concur with bobafet?


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I won't agree or disagree. All fish are different. Some wrasses eat flatworms, some don't. Some wrasses go after inverts, some don't. Some angels nip on sps, some on LPS, some on Zoas, some on all and some are good citizens. They're fish and unpredictable. The OP is battling polyclad flatworms not planaria flatworms or the type that are present in my reef tank. Polyclad flatworms are large and I know of no types of wrasse that are polyclad flatworm predators. Im interested to know if the buggers return after the OP added the melanarus wrasse.