flat worm invasion

[kiefers]

Several months ago I noticed this little "tooth" shaped critter in my tank. It is red wine colored and didn't seem to post a threat to my system. A few weeks ago I looked at my tank and there they were, all over my green tree, monti's and glass. I was told if I got a Mandarin he would eat the flat worms. I researched it and although some say yes a majority say no, even the newest addition of Coral Magazine said not likely.
I was however able to get a picture of these little critters but it will not load on the computer so you will just have to take my word for it until I can post a pic.
My question is, and I did first use the search engine but found very little information, is how to rid of these little algae eating army that is occupying space on my coral? I am aware there is a dip I can use however I am also aware of a chemical I can put into the tank to do a complete genocide, but from my research, I would have to remove my fish for at least 24-48 hours do to an enzyme these little worms excrete while or when they die.
Any ideas or thoughts would be most excellent!
Oh and .... hi all! It's been awhile.

 

[btldreef]

They're not acropora eating flatworms, are they?
We had flatworms (none AEFW) in our 40G a few years back, and they were starting to smother our corals, blocking them from light. Luckily we had a target mandarin that did eat them, but he was very young and was barely making a dent. We siphoned for about two weeks. It was a PITA, but with siphoning and the addition of a wrasse, we were able to rid the tank of them. We had a flasher wrasse and a sixline that ate them.
Right now they're colonizing my caulerpa on my refugium. As long as they stay there I don't mind much. I don't think they'd stand a chance in the reef against all my wrasses now.

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef http:///t/389403/flat-worm-invasion#post_3441353
They're not acropora eating flatworms, are they?
We had flatworms (none AEFW) in our 40G a few years back, and they were starting to smother our corals, blocking them from light. Luckily we had a target mandarin that did eat them, but he was very young and was barely making a dent. We siphoned for about two weeks. It was a PITA, but with siphoning and the addition of a wrasse, we were able to rid the tank of them. We had a flasher wrasse and a sixline that ate them.
Right now they're colonizing my caulerpa on my refugium. As long as they stay there I don't mind much. I don't think they'd stand a chance in the reef against all my wrasses now.
ATM I have two wrasses in QT. A Blue sided and a Solar Wrasse that the wife got me for our anniversary. I would have liked a 6 line but it would have depleted my system of the copods, I believe.
I have been looking into the marine velvet nudibranch. They eat flat worms and believe me, I have a smorgishborg (sp) for it to eat, and there pretty cool looking to.
I don't know we will see.
any other opinions?

 

[btldreef]

It is likely that the sixline will hurt your pod population. Most flatworms also eat copepods, something to keep in mind.
I'd siphon what you can. The wrasses should help once they're out of QT, but unfortunately it's not a guarantee. Those nudis are awesome. My LFS had a flatworm invasion in one of their tanks and the nudis took care of it quickly. Just sucks that they don't eat anything else.
When you can't siphon, try blowing them off your corals.

 

[kiefers]

This is not submitting my posts?! Was I banned LOL LOL LOL?
I have attempted to blow them off with the turkey baster but those little #$%$'s have a real good grip! Lol

 

[geoj]

I am about to try to rid my tank of flatworms for the second time. I have had good luck with the velvet nudibranch. Two nudibranches in my 60 reduced the numbers to the point that I did not see any left. I thought the velvet nudibranch got rid of them, but nope they came back. This time I plan on adding two nudibranches and when there gone I will remove the sump and clean it then put it back and treat with flatworm exit. The first time I did not have a sump and the reduction of flatworms by the velvet nudibranch had me convinced they had been taken out. This time I am convinced the addition of treating with the flatworm exit will work very well. I have been using the flatworm exit as a treatment before acclamation an this has worked very well to keep my QT free of flatworms. I would not treat a tank with large numbers of flatworms with flatworm exit alone. It just seems like to much work to do without a loss. I am just waiting for my LFS to get the nudis in stock.
So I will post pic's when I get started if you would like...

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///t/389403/flat-worm-invasion#post_3441426
I am about to try to rid my tank of flatworms for the second time. I have had good luck with the velvet nudibranch. Two nudibranches in my 60 reduced the numbers to the point that I did not see any left. I thought the velvet nudibranch got rid of them, but nope they came back. this time I plan on adding two nudibranches and when there gone I will remove the sump and clean it then put it back and treat with flatworm exit. The first time I did not have a sump and the reduction of flatworms buy the velvet nudibranch had me convinced they had been taken out. This time I am convinced the addition of treating with the flatworm exit will work very well. I have been using the flatworm exit as a treatment before acclamation an this has worked very well to keep my QT free of flatworms. I would not treat a tank with large numbers of flatworms with flatworm exit alone. It just seems like to much work to do without a loss. I am just waiting for my LFS to get the nudis in stock.
So I will post pic's when I get started if you would like...
that sounds pretty much where I'm at. I would more than likely keep the nudibranch in the system rather than him starve to death. Yes please post the pic.

 

[geoj]

that sounds pretty much where I'm at. I would more than likely keep the nudibranch in the system rather than him starve to death. Yes please post the pic.
 
You will not be able to keep the nudibranch alive as they will eat most of the flat worms and then start to starve. This is why I have a plan to give the nudis back to the LFS. You will have to remove all the power heads in the tank. I am lucky because I have a sump and use loc-line as my only source of water flow and with a 3 inch foam sponge covering the overflow the nudis will not be killed.

 

[kiefers]

greeeeat. So much for flow huh? I have two p.h.'s one is a 750 and the other is a 1050 K's. Can I just cover them with palstic or something?

 

[geoj]

I tried to cover a PH but it was not easy. You need 2-3 inches of foam to prevent the velvet nudibranch form being trapped by the suction and turned to mush. The velvet nudibranch is not a strong swimmer or crawler.

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///t/389403/flat-worm-invasion#post_3441593
I tried to cover a PH but it was not easy. You need 2-3 inches of foam to prevent the velvet nudibranch form being trapped by the suction and turned to mush. The velvet nudibranch is not a strong swimmer or crawler.
greeeeeeat!!!! Noticed tonight one flat worm on my mandine!! WTH? LOL

 

[tirtza]

Sorry to hear about your troubles Kieth Just so that I'll know for future reference.....will dipping coral, dipping live rock. or putting fish in a QT prevent flatworms?

 

[geoj]

I have been using the flatworm exit as a treatment before acclamation an this has worked very well to keep my QT free of flatworms. I would use it on all corals and sometimes on LR. Do this before You acclimate to your QT.

 

[geoj]

All right I was able to get one velvet nudibranch. So I am setting up the tank to keep it out of the overflow and power heads.

I removed all power heads and replaced them with a closed loop and loc-line fittings.
I added a 2.5 " sponge over the overflow.

I want two velvet nudibranches so I am looking for the second... I could order them but I think $30 for two is more my speed then $60 with shipping...

 

[spanko]

Have you seen the first link here?
http://www.google.com/search?q=Flatworms+%28Red+Planaria%29%3A+How+to+eliminate+them+from+your+reef+%E2%80%93+by+Marc+Levenson&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a

 

[geoj]

Yea I saw that page. My plan is to use Flatworm Exit after the nudis clean the tank out. I am a bit lazy you know... :laughing:

 

[kiefers]

Still haven't seen any nudies! So last night I dipped EVERYTHING in the treatment. When all was said and done you couldn't see the bottom of the bucket!! Gross and cool!

 

[tirtza]

Hi Kieth! Sorry for high jacking your thread, but it's got be really interested....
Quote:
I have been using the flatworm exit as a treatment before acclamation an this has worked very well to keep my QT free of flatworms.
Does the 'Flatworm Exit' work the same as the usual coral dip or is it something else entirely? When I eventually get coral, should I use Flatworm Exit and a separate coral dip? I also thought that if I used a dip, then the coral didn't need to be placed in QT....am I mistaken? I'd much rather play it safe and be proactive as opposed to reactive, so if you think I should QT coral than I'll QT coral. What about the lights in a QT though (just a basic cheap 10 gallon w/light hood) .....they won't be strong enough for the coral, wouldn't that hurt it?

 

[geoj]

 
Hi Kieth! Sorry for high jacking your thread, but it's got be really interested....
Does the 'Flatworm Exit' work the same as the usual coral dip or is it something else entirely? When I eventually get coral, should I use Flatworm Exit and a separate coral dip? I also thought that if I used a dip, then the coral didn't need to be placed in QT....am I mistaken? I'd much rather play it safe and be proactive as opposed to reactive, so if you think I should QT coral than I'll QT coral. What about the lights in a QT though (just a basic cheap 10 gallon w/light hood) .....they won't be strong enough for the coral, wouldn't that hurt it? 

Flatworm Exit works to kill planaria flatworms. It can be used as per the manufacturer recommendations as a full tank treatment and a dip. I don't know of any other coral pest that it is affective on. Coral dips are not 100% affective and many just don't work. So I would recommend setting up a QT with fully powered lights and filtration. Learn what possible pests there may be and look out for them.

 

[kiefers]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GeoJ http:///t/389403/flat-worm-invasion#post_3452535
Flatworm Exit works to kill planaria flatworms. It can be used as per the manufacturer recommendations as a full tank treatment and a dip. I don't know of any other coral pest that it is affective on. Coral dips are not 100% affective and many just don't work. So I would recommend setting up a QT with fully powered lights and filtration. Learn what possible pests there may be and look out for them.
some times I will use Interceptor in to kill other worms and pests. Luckily for me my kid sister is a Vet so I get a HUGE discount!!