2 different types of flatworms? (macro pics)

my name is mike · 12/18/2012, 10:16 AM

This is my first bout with a flat worm of any type. I clearly seem to have Red Planaria. My question is, do I also have another type of pest? The Planaria look like all the pictures I have seen online (reddish brown, small, but visible to the naked eye, flat, etc). However there is another type that is bright red/orange. They do not seem quite as flat (although may just be scrunched up).

What I believe to be Red Planaria...

Here are the much more red creatures in question...

The brighter red dots are interesting

I obviously have some kind of worm problem (be it one, or more types) do you guys recommend flat worm exit? The bad part is that I am leaving for the holidays soon. I don't want to wait until I get back, but I also don't want to run a treatment and not be around incase any side effects take hold.

James77 · 12/18/2012, 11:12 AM

Pics did not show up.

FWE works well, and is a short duration treatment if done right. But the time consuming part is prepping for it....you really need to take your time and siphon out as many of the jerks as you possibly can. The only way FWE harms your tank is is too many dead worms are in the water. I've done it a couple times....the 1st time where I did not prepare well was a disaster. The 2nd time where I siphoned and even removed bad rocks and dunked them, even netted the floating dead worms, nothing in the tank even flinched.

my name is mike · 12/18/2012, 11:52 AM

Sorry about the pics... do these work?

DSC_8514-e.jpg

DSC_8521-e.jpg

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DSC_8580-e.jpg

my name is mike · 12/18/2012, 11:54 AM

Thanks James. I figured that flatworm exit was the way to go. Just curious if you think the bright red worm in the pic is the same species? It seems so different. Much brighter and a different shape.

nam2212 · 12/18/2012, 12:16 PM

The bright red creature almost looks like a nudibranch of some sort. I don't believe it is a typical planaria. I have used FWE on 2 different occasions with some success. I siphoned out as much as I could but they still came back. That was about 6 months ago and the numbers are still very low compared to what they were pre-FWE.

Curtis72 · 12/18/2012, 02:36 PM

I have flatworms as well. Alot I will say. I havent used FWE yet but I think I will but from what ive read you cant really get rid of these guys because if you miss a few they will come back in time

my name is mike · 12/18/2012, 03:04 PM

Nam, you may be right on the nudi front. Can't seem to find anything online that looks like them though. They are also quite small for a nudi 1-2mm max. Hmmmmm

my name is mike · 12/18/2012, 03:33 PM

I think I identified the red guys. It's a nudibranch called Vayssierea felis. Apparently they feed on tube worms. Perhaps nothing to worry about.

12/18/2012, 10:16 AM	#1
my name is mike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 15	2 different types of flatworms? (macro pics) This is my first bout with a flat worm of any type. I clearly seem to have Red Planaria. My question is, do I also have another type of pest? The Planaria look like all the pictures I have seen online (reddish brown, small, but visible to the naked eye, flat, etc). However there is another type that is bright red/orange. They do not seem quite as flat (although may just be scrunched up). What I believe to be Red Planaria... Here are the much more red creatures in question... The brighter red dots are interesting I obviously have some kind of worm problem (be it one, or more types) do you guys recommend flat worm exit? The bad part is that I am leaving for the holidays soon. I don't want to wait until I get back, but I also don't want to run a treatment and not be around incase any side effects take hold.

12/18/2012, 11:12 AM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Pics did not show up. FWE works well, and is a short duration treatment if done right. But the time consuming part is prepping for it....you really need to take your time and siphon out as many of the jerks as you possibly can. The only way FWE harms your tank is is too many dead worms are in the water. I've done it a couple times....the 1st time where I did not prepare well was a disaster. The 2nd time where I siphoned and even removed bad rocks and dunked them, even netted the floating dead worms, nothing in the tank even flinched. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

12/18/2012, 11:52 AM	#3
my name is mike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 15	Sorry about the pics... do these work? DSC_8514-e.jpg DSC_8521-e.jpg DSC_8540-e.jpg DSC_8580-e.jpg

12/18/2012, 11:54 AM	#4
my name is mike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 15	Thanks James. I figured that flatworm exit was the way to go. Just curious if you think the bright red worm in the pic is the same species? It seems so different. Much brighter and a different shape.

12/18/2012, 12:16 PM	#5
nam2212 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,257	The bright red creature almost looks like a nudibranch of some sort. I don't believe it is a typical planaria. I have used FWE on 2 different occasions with some success. I siphoned out as much as I could but they still came back. That was about 6 months ago and the numbers are still very low compared to what they were pre-FWE.

12/18/2012, 02:36 PM	#6
Curtis72 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 379	I have flatworms as well. Alot I will say. I havent used FWE yet but I think I will but from what ive read you cant really get rid of these guys because if you miss a few they will come back in time

12/18/2012, 03:04 PM	#7
my name is mike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 15	Nam, you may be right on the nudi front. Can't seem to find anything online that looks like them though. They are also quite small for a nudi 1-2mm max. Hmmmmm

12/18/2012, 03:33 PM	#8
my name is mike Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 15	I think I identified the red guys. It's a nudibranch called Vayssierea felis. Apparently they feed on tube worms. Perhaps nothing to worry about.