5 inch flatworm???

[doboy]

I just found something How big do flatowrms get? I was looking around with a flashlight, and saw what looks like a flatworm -- except this sucker is about 5 inches long by 2 inches wide when he's all streched out. He recoils from the light and moves over the rocks. It is a brownish tan mottled with cream spots (not really defined spots), and kind of resembles the colors of the skin on a stomatella snail. The underside is white. He can shrink down to about nothing, and seems to hide in the rocks.

 

[007]

Congratulations! You are the proud owner of a polyclad flatworm! Say goodbye to your snails . . . .
I've had one in my tank for over two years . . . . can't get it out. Whatever you do . . . do NOT try to grab is with anything. It will tear and then you'll have two.

 

[doboy]

Thanks! I was wondering what was happening to all of my snails. should I try and get him out?

 

[007]

I would say yes, but be VERY careful in doing so. I have made numerous traps, etc. to try and catch mine . . . doesn't happen. I have not had a snail in my tank in well over a year. If you figure out a way to get it out, let me know!
Again, do NOT . . . I repeat do NOT try and grab it with anything like tweezers, etc. You will shred it into pieces and each piece will form a new worm. I learned the hard way.

 

[doboy]

Well, it appears that he may be hiding in the largest rock in my tank. I think I'll pattern this thing like a deer to make sure it regularly goes into that rock. If I remove the rock, will a high salinity dip force him out?

 

[xnikki118x]

I've heard that works for unwanted hitchhikers. I'm not certain about what it will do to flatworms, but IMO, it's worth a shot!

 

[lockemup]

Try a hypersaline dip, followed by a freshwater dip. about 2 minutes in each. Then you can pick out what you want to put back into the tank and kill off what you don't want.

 

[elvictre]

Get a Blue Velvet Nudi. They eat flatworms and they look awesome.
Vic

 

[007]

I highly doubt any nudibrach would eat a polyclad. My guess is that it would be the polyclad eating the nudi.
As for the dip, I guess its worth a shot. Not an option in my tank though, I have too many corals attached to his "cave".

 

[mlm]

Does the bottom of it look likr this?