grey/white polyclad flatworm eats what?

techreef · 05/21/2007, 12:34 PM

Hi, I caught a flatworm last night on one of my rocks. It's about 2" in diameter, but oval in shape. The coloring is a base color of white/grey, with brown speckles on it.

I was just hoping that someone here could tell me what this little guy has been eating in my tank for the past 7 months. (I spotted him back in October) My snail population has definitely gone down, and while the worm was fast last night, i don't think it could be the explanation for my missing peppermint and skunk cleaner shrimps. (one of each went missing 2 weeks ago)

oh, and i've lost 2 colonies of hitchhiking tube corals. wonder if the polyclad was eating those?

LeslieH · 05/21/2007, 01:25 PM

With that coloration the odds are good it's eating your snails. These are specialized predators so a snail eater would not go after your corals or shrimps.

techreef · 05/21/2007, 08:46 PM

you mean i can't blame one beastie for all my woes???

thanks very much for the info, Leslie.

05/21/2007, 12:34 PM	#1
techreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 1,046	grey/white polyclad flatworm eats what? Hi, I caught a flatworm last night on one of my rocks. It's about 2" in diameter, but oval in shape. The coloring is a base color of white/grey, with brown speckles on it. I was just hoping that someone here could tell me what this little guy has been eating in my tank for the past 7 months. (I spotted him back in October) My snail population has definitely gone down, and while the worm was fast last night, i don't think it could be the explanation for my missing peppermint and skunk cleaner shrimps. (one of each went missing 2 weeks ago) oh, and i've lost 2 colonies of hitchhiking tube corals. wonder if the polyclad was eating those?

05/21/2007, 01:25 PM	#2
LeslieH Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,178	With that coloration the odds are good it's eating your snails. These are specialized predators so a snail eater would not go after your corals or shrimps. __________________ Cheers, Leslie So many worms, so little time... Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

05/21/2007, 08:46 PM	#3
techreef Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Montclair, NJ Posts: 1,046	you mean i can't blame one beastie for all my woes??? thanks very much for the info, Leslie.