Flatworm infestation

Matthew C · 02/28/2006, 06:40 PM

I think I am having a flatworm problem but I am not sure. I am inept at computers and otherwise would post a pic but for now I will try and describe them. I have a ton of little orangish brown little flat things. They are only about 5 mm long or less and kind of creep along slowly. They only come out when the lights are on and they cover everything rather quickly (sand, LR, glass but not corals thank god.) So I guess I am asking what they are, and how do I wage war on them without hurting corals?

Dave ESPI · 02/28/2006, 07:06 PM

Flatworm-exit works well. What corals U have ? you could also try a freshwater dip, or a wrasse perhaps ?

A siphon tupe following around a razorblade works well on the glass, but you need to work quickly or else that 5 gallon pail fills up fast !

Ken668 · 02/28/2006, 07:48 PM

If you think they are flatworms, the first and easiest thing to try would be a couple scarlet crabs. I'm not 100% certain they are effective against these, but if you dropped in one or two it wouldn't make as much of an impact as if you added a wrasse or such. If they don't work, you could then step up to a Mandarin or Six-line. You could try the flatworm exit but I've had no experience with this, so I can't recommend it.

If you siphon, put a filter bag or a net perched over your sump with the hose secured in it. This way, you'll never have to worry about filling up anything as the water is just returned to your sump. This will essentially strain out the flat worms while passing the water.

TA · 02/28/2006, 08:24 PM

Sounds like FW to me...

Only had to use FWE once...fast and effective...would do it again without hesitation.

If you do use it, just be prepared to do large water change and add lots of carbon. To reduce the effect of the toxin released from dieing FWs, I hooked up a 100 micron sock and siphoned out the dieing FWs best I can. Didn't observe any adverse affects. Lots of threads here about the FWE.

Matthew C · 02/28/2006, 10:59 PM

Thanks a bunch I will order the FWE tomarrow and probably start that syphon trick pronto. I have had the little buggers for over a year now and they are at there worst. I will probably get a wrasse after things get settled. I figure that might help any further outbreaks not to mention I just lost a psudocromis and I have room for another fish. As for Corals I have four diff. Acros a hydnophora, hammer, six or seven different polyps/zoos, staghorn coral, Mustard hill, pineapple, that favite from the frag ws, blastos, trumpets, four or five different porites/posilapora(not sure on spelling), 2 montipora, that purple chalace, some milipora, ivorycoral and 2 gorgonians ....thats about it so I have alot of coral on the line but I will take your word on the safety of FWE, if it works once it will work again.

TA · 03/01/2006, 07:25 AM

See if Eddies has it...thats where I got mine...~$25!
FWE shouldn't affect them at all...did nothing to any of my SPS, LPS, zoas, mushrooms, fish, shrimp, etc...do some research though if you're worried.

jaze36 · 03/01/2006, 09:04 AM

I've used FWE as well with no ill effects. I dosed it very heavy to about 10x what the company recommends. It did a great job. Make sure you have carbon and a water change ready to go, FWE has no ill effect, but FW give off lots of toxins when they die, thoughs can be harmful to corals and fish. I had a huge infestation when I first got into the hobby, they covered everything ( at first I thought they were alge, so they had time to multiply). It took care of my problem and they never came back. If you do some reading on them like TA said you will find lots of positive experiences. Good luck.

xian · 03/02/2006, 05:28 PM

I used FWE and they are back, might have to redose after my tank adjusts from the changes

michaelg · 03/03/2006, 09:06 PM

I'm still battling them, still haven't tried fwe, but not as bad with a decrease in cyano. If I find some of the nudi's that eat them, are there takers for them after I am cleared?

Matthew C · 03/04/2006, 11:40 AM

I will definetly grab a nudi that eats themif you can get em. I was hopeing for a more natural approach like a wrasse or a nudi but I am goning to use the FWE anyway and try to syphon them off to. But I will need something to keep them in check later on.

michaelg · 03/04/2006, 12:40 PM

Unfortunately, reef safe wrasses are hard to find around here other than 6-lines. No idea why- they are beautiful fish, ship well for the most part, and adapt well to captivity. My 6 line isn't doing diddly on them, but have read of others having luck....

xian · 03/04/2006, 05:59 PM

FWIW my scarlet hermits aren't touching them

Matthew C · 03/07/2006, 10:55 AM

FWE on the way

02/28/2006, 06:40 PM	#1
Matthew C Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albany New york Posts: 52	Flatworm infestation I think I am having a flatworm problem but I am not sure. I am inept at computers and otherwise would post a pic but for now I will try and describe them. I have a ton of little orangish brown little flat things. They are only about 5 mm long or less and kind of creep along slowly. They only come out when the lights are on and they cover everything rather quickly (sand, LR, glass but not corals thank god.) So I guess I am asking what they are, and how do I wage war on them without hurting corals?

03/02/2006, 05:28 PM	#8
xian Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 2,180	I used FWE and they are back, might have to redose after my tank adjusts from the changes __________________ -Matt Christian Define Irony: Algae growing on a snail. Current Tank Info: 125 gal planted lagoon

03/03/2006, 09:06 PM	#9
michaelg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,903	I'm still battling them, still haven't tried fwe, but not as bad with a decrease in cyano. If I find some of the nudi's that eat them, are there takers for them after I am cleared? __________________ 60 Cube SPS: Hydra52, Hydra26HD, 2x Vortex MP10, Reef Octo 3500DC return, sea-swirl, Vertex Omega 150 Current Tank Info: 60 Cube SPS Reef, 40G IM goniopora tank

03/04/2006, 12:40 PM	#11
michaelg Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 1,903	Unfortunately, reef safe wrasses are hard to find around here other than 6-lines. No idea why- they are beautiful fish, ship well for the most part, and adapt well to captivity. My 6 line isn't doing diddly on them, but have read of others having luck.... __________________ 60 Cube SPS: Hydra52, Hydra26HD, 2x Vortex MP10, Reef Octo 3500DC return, sea-swirl, Vertex Omega 150 Current Tank Info: 60 Cube SPS Reef, 40G IM goniopora tank

03/04/2006, 05:59 PM	#12
xian Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Troy, NY Posts: 2,180	FWIW my scarlet hermits aren't touching them __________________ -Matt Christian Define Irony: Algae growing on a snail. Current Tank Info: 125 gal planted lagoon

02/28/2006, 07:06 PM	#2
Dave ESPI Moved On Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: capital District, NY/ Latham (COHOES sucks !) Posts: 903	Flatworm-exit works well. What corals U have ? you could also try a freshwater dip, or a wrasse perhaps ? A siphon tupe following around a razorblade works well on the glass, but you need to work quickly or else that 5 gallon pail fills up fast !

02/28/2006, 07:48 PM	#3
Ken668 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 832	If you think they are flatworms, the first and easiest thing to try would be a couple scarlet crabs. I'm not 100% certain they are effective against these, but if you dropped in one or two it wouldn't make as much of an impact as if you added a wrasse or such. If they don't work, you could then step up to a Mandarin or Six-line. You could try the flatworm exit but I've had no experience with this, so I can't recommend it. If you siphon, put a filter bag or a net perched over your sump with the hose secured in it. This way, you'll never have to worry about filling up anything as the water is just returned to your sump. This will essentially strain out the flat worms while passing the water.

02/28/2006, 08:24 PM	#4
TA Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,737	Sounds like FW to me... Only had to use FWE once...fast and effective...would do it again without hesitation. If you do use it, just be prepared to do large water change and add lots of carbon. To reduce the effect of the toxin released from dieing FWs, I hooked up a 100 micron sock and siphoned out the dieing FWs best I can. Didn't observe any adverse affects. Lots of threads here about the FWE.

02/28/2006, 10:59 PM	#5
Matthew C Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albany New york Posts: 52	Thanks a bunch I will order the FWE tomarrow and probably start that syphon trick pronto. I have had the little buggers for over a year now and they are at there worst. I will probably get a wrasse after things get settled. I figure that might help any further outbreaks not to mention I just lost a psudocromis and I have room for another fish. As for Corals I have four diff. Acros a hydnophora, hammer, six or seven different polyps/zoos, staghorn coral, Mustard hill, pineapple, that favite from the frag ws, blastos, trumpets, four or five different porites/posilapora(not sure on spelling), 2 montipora, that purple chalace, some milipora, ivorycoral and 2 gorgonians ....thats about it so I have alot of coral on the line but I will take your word on the safety of FWE, if it works once it will work again.

03/01/2006, 07:25 AM	#6
TA Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,737	See if Eddies has it...thats where I got mine...~$25! FWE shouldn't affect them at all...did nothing to any of my SPS, LPS, zoas, mushrooms, fish, shrimp, etc...do some research though if you're worried.

03/01/2006, 09:04 AM	#7
jaze36 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Gloversville, N.Y. Posts: 908	I've used FWE as well with no ill effects. I dosed it very heavy to about 10x what the company recommends. It did a great job. Make sure you have carbon and a water change ready to go, FWE has no ill effect, but FW give off lots of toxins when they die, thoughs can be harmful to corals and fish. I had a huge infestation when I first got into the hobby, they covered everything ( at first I thought they were alge, so they had time to multiply). It took care of my problem and they never came back. If you do some reading on them like TA said you will find lots of positive experiences. Good luck.

03/04/2006, 11:40 AM	#10
Matthew C Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albany New york Posts: 52	I will definetly grab a nudi that eats themif you can get em. I was hopeing for a more natural approach like a wrasse or a nudi but I am goning to use the FWE anyway and try to syphon them off to. But I will need something to keep them in check later on.

03/07/2006, 10:55 AM	#13
Matthew C Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albany New york Posts: 52	FWE on the way