Battle with Flatworms...

bms270 · 07/17/2013, 07:18 PM

Unfortunately Flatworms are taking over all the rocks in my 225G tank.. so I know the best way is to remove them by suctioning them out and use Flatworm Exit to kill the rest. But I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them and if I am better off waiting till they die on their own.. They are literally taking over all the rocks and this is making me concern as I know when they die they release a toxin in the water.. Any advice?

Painted skin · 07/17/2013, 07:26 PM

Flatworm problem will not go away on its own, it can only get worse. Using flatworm exit you must make sure you get them all otherwise the next generation can be immune to treatment as I've told and found out myself. The first treatment I thought I got them all then months later they came back this time even after 2 more treatments it didn't have the same effect. I ended up nuking my tank with fresh water.

They will release toxin after they die, this is why you need to remove the dead and run carbon.

DeerSlayer5152 · 07/17/2013, 07:29 PM

They will not die on their own. I have tried everything that was out there and I finally got rid of them with my Blue Green Chromis and Malenarus Wrasse(sp?) They will more than likely take care of them. I had them everywhere and tried the flatworm x and the suctioning and water changes and could not get rid of them put these 2 fish in there and with-in a week over half were gone. Good Luck and I fill for you.

bms270 · 07/17/2013, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeerSlayer5152

They will not die on their own. I have tried everything that was out there and I finally got rid of them with my Blue Green Chromis and Malenarus Wrasse(sp?) They will more than likely take care of them. I had them everywhere and tried the flatworm x and the suctioning and water changes and could not get rid of them put these 2 fish in there and with-in a week over half were gone. Good Luck and I fill for you.

Hmm, I was looking for a solution like this.. I'll look up the fish you mentioned.. I am afraid I cause a crash event after I remove most of them out. I have about 300Lbs liverock and there is no way I can remove even half of them.. I see them covering the rocks under my corals... Just a sad situation.. Thanks for your advice.

DeerSlayer5152 · 07/17/2013, 07:46 PM

Let me know what the out come is. Good Luck!!

bms270 · 07/17/2013, 07:56 PM

I came across this article and looking to buy Chelidonura. Any idea where to buy them?

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/5/short

Zoanut · 07/17/2013, 08:10 PM

A sixline wrasse will make short work of them, well it did for me.

CyclistMT · 07/17/2013, 08:24 PM

Here is another chemical option to look into. The product is hard to find these days and you really have to read the whole thread to see if you're willing to risk it. I did use Levamisole when I had flatworms and it cleared my tank of them and they didn't come back. I did run into some issues with the treatment but I don't know if it was mis-measuring the dose or the toxin's from the flatworms. At any rate I don't blame the cure but rather my implementation of it.

Total System Levasole Planaria Kill Recipe

Biological options can provide good control (assuming you get a fish that will eat them) but it won't eradicate them. The fish won't be able to get into every nook and cranny. As for the nudibranchs, since flatworms are their exclusive diet, once the population has dwindled enough they may end up starving and die. Once that happens, you guessed it, the flatworms come back because not all of them were eaten.

Some believe control is enough and that might be. I just find them unsightly. Chemical means are the only way to rid your tank of them entirely.

bms270 · 07/17/2013, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyclistMT

Total System Levasole Planaria Kill Recipe

.

This is very tempting.. Thanks for sharing..

neuro · 07/17/2013, 10:00 PM

I don't think having livestock that eats flatworms will not be enough. You have to do it as soon as you can, with all remedies.

DeerSlayer5152 · 07/17/2013, 10:29 PM

I had everything covered in them and have not seen any in over a year. If they r not gone then I can't see them and my fish r doing there jobs and adds more color while doing it.

07/17/2013, 07:18 PM	#1
bms270 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 243	Battle with Flatworms... Unfortunately Flatworms are taking over all the rocks in my 225G tank.. so I know the best way is to remove them by suctioning them out and use Flatworm Exit to kill the rest. But I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them and if I am better off waiting till they die on their own.. They are literally taking over all the rocks and this is making me concern as I know when they die they release a toxin in the water.. Any advice? __________________ "I've learned .... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth occurs while you're climbing it." Current Tank Info: 225G Mixed Reef

07/17/2013, 07:56 PM	#6
bms270 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 243	I came across this article and looking to buy Chelidonura. Any idea where to buy them? http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/5/short __________________ "I've learned .... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness, and growth occurs while you're climbing it." Current Tank Info: 225G Mixed Reef

07/17/2013, 08:24 PM	#8
CyclistMT More Idiot Than Savant Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 560	Here is another chemical option to look into. The product is hard to find these days and you really have to read the whole thread to see if you're willing to risk it. I did use Levamisole when I had flatworms and it cleared my tank of them and they didn't come back. I did run into some issues with the treatment but I don't know if it was mis-measuring the dose or the toxin's from the flatworms. At any rate I don't blame the cure but rather my implementation of it. Total System Levasole Planaria Kill Recipe Biological options can provide good control (assuming you get a fish that will eat them) but it won't eradicate them. The fish won't be able to get into every nook and cranny. As for the nudibranchs, since flatworms are their exclusive diet, once the population has dwindled enough they may end up starving and die. Once that happens, you guessed it, the flatworms come back because not all of them were eaten. Some believe control is enough and that might be. I just find them unsightly. Chemical means are the only way to rid your tank of them entirely. __________________ Current tank- 300 gal with enough critters to fill a 50 gal....barely. 30+ years in the hobby (man I'm getting old), former LFS manager, and oh.... I'm Batman.

07/17/2013, 07:26 PM	#2
Painted skin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 679	Flatworm problem will not go away on its own, it can only get worse. Using flatworm exit you must make sure you get them all otherwise the next generation can be immune to treatment as I've told and found out myself. The first treatment I thought I got them all then months later they came back this time even after 2 more treatments it didn't have the same effect. I ended up nuking my tank with fresh water. They will release toxin after they die, this is why you need to remove the dead and run carbon.

07/17/2013, 07:29 PM	#3
DeerSlayer5152 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 37	They will not die on their own. I have tried everything that was out there and I finally got rid of them with my Blue Green Chromis and Malenarus Wrasse(sp?) They will more than likely take care of them. I had them everywhere and tried the flatworm x and the suctioning and water changes and could not get rid of them put these 2 fish in there and with-in a week over half were gone. Good Luck and I fill for you.

07/17/2013, 07:46 PM	#5
DeerSlayer5152 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 37	Let me know what the out come is. Good Luck!!

07/17/2013, 08:10 PM	#7
Zoanut Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Zealand Posts: 317	A sixline wrasse will make short work of them, well it did for me.

07/17/2013, 10:00 PM	#10
neuro the cat did it Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: bay area Posts: 976	I don't think having livestock that eats flatworms will not be enough. You have to do it as soon as you can, with all remedies.

07/17/2013, 10:29 PM	#11
DeerSlayer5152 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 37	I had everything covered in them and have not seen any in over a year. If they r not gone then I can't see them and my fish r doing there jobs and adds more color while doing it.