what eats flat worms?

Lyscer · 02/21/2006, 07:25 PM

I decided that my red/brown flat worms are getting out of control and I would really like to find something that will eat them, rather than dose with something like flat worm exit. I bought a six line wrasse about 4 days ago but the flat worm population doesn't seem to be decreasing at all. Are there any other fish or inverts that will eat them?

SeaMac2 · 02/21/2006, 08:51 PM

Maybe give the 6-line a little more time. I don't think it could eat enough to make a dent in only 4 days.

Chris

donfishy76 · 02/21/2006, 08:53 PM

you could always try a mandarin fish, they are supposed to relish the planaria!

fishgeeksrus · 02/21/2006, 09:14 PM

most things you'll get suggestions for are "hit or miss". 6-lines, leopard, yellow/canary, radiant wrasses have been known to eat them at times but aren't Surefire. A velvet nudibranch will eat them, but once they run out of food they'll die. Manderins are just as much hit or miss as any other fish. From what i've read in hours and hours of research the leopard and radiant wrasses are found to have better odds to eat them. Hopefully you get something that likes them and can eliminate them naturally.

rags111875 · 02/21/2006, 09:16 PM

my copperband butterfly cleared out mine, as well as all my aiptasia(after a couple weeks).

Maldivan · 02/21/2006, 10:23 PM

My 6-Line has not touched mine. Or atleast I havent noticed it. fishgeeksrus gives excellent advice and I also hope you find something that preys upon them w/o spending a lot of money or overstocking your tank. I have yet to come up with a solution for them myself. FWE is a great product that is reef safe. However, read the instructions before using if you decide to use it. The toxin the FW's give off upon death are lethal in large quantitys. And you can bet theres 2x the numbers of FW that you cant see that are hidden behind rocks etc. Good Luck!

fishgeeksrus · 02/22/2006, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maldivan
fishgeeksrus gives excellent advice

LOL thats a first

Lyscer · 02/22/2006, 08:20 AM

I have tons of flatworms and I can see them in my sump as well. I think I may try a velvet nudibranch and hope that the flatworms keep reproducing(I know it is a huge irony there to want them to reproduce) to keep the velvet alive. But we'll see.

Lyscer · 02/22/2006, 08:25 AM

Think my peppermint shrimp would eat a velvet nudibranch though? I know that they will eat stomatella which is why I was wondering.

Snakebyt · 02/22/2006, 09:21 AM

i am getting a 6 line on loan this week that is a known flatworm eater. Hoping this will save me from having to use the exit

Lyscer · 02/22/2006, 11:23 AM

Anyone know if a peppermint will eat a nudibranch?

$$sucker · 02/22/2006, 02:37 PM

flatworm exit has crashed to tanks in the last 6 months that i know of both by 2 different people one was a 24 nano the other was a 90gal .
if you use this product please do some research and use with caution. glad someone was nice enough to let you loan a 6-line and happy reefing.

onefin · 02/22/2006, 03:35 PM

Two words==Leopard Wrass

Maldivan · 02/22/2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by $$sucker
flatworm exit has crashed to tanks in the last 6 months that i know of both by 2 different people one was a 24 nano the other was a 90gal .
if you use this product please do some research and use with caution. glad someone was nice enough to let you loan a 6-line and happy reefing.

The FWE didnt Crash the tanks.It was the person who used the product and didnt read the instructions or follow them who is at fault not FWE. The product is safe ... Ive used it many times as have many.

02/21/2006, 07:25 PM	#1
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	what eats flat worms? I decided that my red/brown flat worms are getting out of control and I would really like to find something that will eat them, rather than dose with something like flat worm exit. I bought a six line wrasse about 4 days ago but the flat worm population doesn't seem to be decreasing at all. Are there any other fish or inverts that will eat them?

02/21/2006, 09:14 PM	#4
fishgeeksrus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Island Lake, IL Posts: 3,067	most things you'll get suggestions for are "hit or miss". 6-lines, leopard, yellow/canary, radiant wrasses have been known to eat them at times but aren't Surefire. A velvet nudibranch will eat them, but once they run out of food they'll die. Manderins are just as much hit or miss as any other fish. From what i've read in hours and hours of research the leopard and radiant wrasses are found to have better odds to eat them. Hopefully you get something that likes them and can eliminate them naturally. __________________ Teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime..... Give a man a fish, he'll put it in an aquarium. Dennis+Andrea Current Tank Info: 180g Inwall SPS Dominated

02/21/2006, 09:16 PM	#5
rags111875 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 454	my copperband butterfly cleared out mine, as well as all my aiptasia(after a couple weeks). __________________ New house, Out of hobby for a few years. Larger tank. Purchasing and Researching...

02/21/2006, 10:23 PM	#6
Maldivan Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Keller , Texas Posts: 495	My 6-Line has not touched mine. Or atleast I havent noticed it. fishgeeksrus gives excellent advice and I also hope you find something that preys upon them w/o spending a lot of money or overstocking your tank. I have yet to come up with a solution for them myself. FWE is a great product that is reef safe. However, read the instructions before using if you decide to use it. The toxin the FW's give off upon death are lethal in large quantitys. And you can bet theres 2x the numbers of FW that you cant see that are hidden behind rocks etc. Good Luck! __________________ Everyone is ignorant, only on different subjects. --Will Rogers Current Tank Info: 100 gal , 2x250W MH , 260W PC's, AquaC Remora Pro

02/22/2006, 08:20 AM	#8
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	I have tons of flatworms and I can see them in my sump as well. I think I may try a velvet nudibranch and hope that the flatworms keep reproducing(I know it is a huge irony there to want them to reproduce) to keep the velvet alive. But we'll see. __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

02/21/2006, 08:51 PM	#2
SeaMac2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 306	Maybe give the 6-line a little more time. I don't think it could eat enough to make a dent in only 4 days. Chris

02/21/2006, 08:53 PM	#3
donfishy76 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 667	you could always try a mandarin fish, they are supposed to relish the planaria!

02/22/2006, 08:25 AM	#9
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	Think my peppermint shrimp would eat a velvet nudibranch though? I know that they will eat stomatella which is why I was wondering. __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

02/22/2006, 09:21 AM	#10
Snakebyt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lubbock Tx Posts: 2,141	i am getting a 6 line on loan this week that is a known flatworm eater. Hoping this will save me from having to use the exit

02/22/2006, 11:23 AM	#11
Lyscer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 675	Anyone know if a peppermint will eat a nudibranch? __________________ 68 Cadlights Versa 24" x 8 ATI Dimmable Sunpower 2 x Gyre XF-130 DIY Arduino Uno Controller with temp probes and 8 outlets ran from web interface ReefOctopus Skimmer and Eheim 1262 return Current Tank Info: 68 Cadlights Versa

02/22/2006, 02:37 PM	#12
$$sucker Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: watertucky,michigan Posts: 62	flatworm exit has crashed to tanks in the last 6 months that i know of both by 2 different people one was a 24 nano the other was a 90gal . if you use this product please do some research and use with caution. glad someone was nice enough to let you loan a 6-line and happy reefing. __________________ I may not agree with what you have to say,but i will fight to death your right to say it. Current Tank Info: 72 bowfront,29 refuge,2x250MH 14k, 4x65 cf,asm-g2,36 watt uv, 115 lbs lr,3inch sand bed (agonite reef),running 4years as fowlr now becoming a reef

02/22/2006, 03:35 PM	#13
onefin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Hurricane Alley Posts: 1,621	Two words==Leopard Wrass __________________ "Click my little red house to visit my Lagoon" Current Tank Info: 125 gallon /40gallon Ecosystem