I think I have flatworms

[drdude05]

I haven't been able to get a good enough picture to post, but I am almost convinced that I have an outbreak of red flatworms. I've been doing some research here in the archives and they look alot like the pictures referenced on melev's reef site.

I'll contiunue to try and get a good pic to confirm, but does anyone have a pic of red flatworms just so I can make sure I have the right ID.

What is the best way to treat them? I've read about siphoning them, flatworm exit, and natural predators. Which natural predators are most effective? Does the flatworm exit really work and is it reef safe? What is the best way to construct a siphon to suck them out?

Help!!!

[luther1200]

My Sixline Wrasse eats them like crazy. I used to have them, but I could only ever see them in my fuge, because the Sixline would eat them in the DT.

Here are some pictures.





I don't have them anymore though. At least none that are easily seen. I have looked and I can't find any. They just went away after I started Polp Labs Refresh. Which is like vodka dosing, with AA. So once the nutrient levels dropped they just naturally died off.

[jenglish]

wrasses work... so does FW exit but you have to use more than directions IIRC, I think Icebear did a thread on that.

[jenglish]

http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f6...ay-122121.html

HTH

[drdude05]

Thanks for the info guys. From what I have found so far I think my plan of attack is going to be

1. Siphon all the worms that I can see to lessen the population.
2. Use a 2x dose of FW exit and siphon dead/dying worms.
3. Not sure of the time frame on this, but will plan to do a 30-50% water change. Does anyone know what the recommend amount of water to change is and how soon you should change the water after dosing FW exit? Should the water change be done all at once or as several smaller water changes?
4. After water changes, hook up my canister filter and run carbon for 2-3 days ... completely change out the carbon and run an additonal 2-3 days.
5. Pick up a six line wrasse and add to the tank after 1-4 above are done. Does anyone know if there are any other natural predators to flatworms that six line wrasses?

[jenglish]

I have heard 4 line and yellow/canary wrasses also eat them (some say more so than the 6 line) with less aggression. I have not kept any of these but this is what i heard when inquiring about wrasses for snail problems. I think there are some shrimp that will eat them... I am thinking it was a coral banded but I could be wrong on that one.

[drdude05]

After more reading it looks like this is a short list of fish that will feed on red flatworms:

1. Six line Wrasse
2. Three line Wrasse
3. Yellow Coris Wrasse
4. Leopard Wrasse
5. Target Mandrin
6. Blue Damsels

Does anyone disagree with this list or have additional fish to add? Does anyone know if a Blue/Green Mandrain will eat flatworms?

Also, what brand type of Actived Carbon media is recommended/does the best at removing pollutants from the water? I am planning to buy 3-4 pounds of granular media but was wondering what gets the thumbs up around here?

[jenglish]

I use only small amounts of carbon weekly so I use Marineland black diamond. I consider it about the best I can get locally. Larger amounts it is worth it to order from Bulk Reef Supply.

[Hop]

I had/have some type of parasitic sponge growth that is growing on one of my rocks. I removed it to clean off the sponge and I found a bunch of these under the rock I have never seen one in my tank before, so this was a bit of a shock... Guess I'll have to see what is eating them to the point I can't see them in the display, but they breed under the rock...

[drdude05]

jenglish ... I looked up Bulk Reef Supply and was looking at the premium Rox .8 fine carbon. Has anyone used this before? How does it perform. I read what they have posted on the website but I would like to hear from those of you who have used this product or this company before. What ever carbon I use, I will be trusting it to remove this flatworm toxin from my tank and I want it to be as efficent as possible.

[Jadinop]

Flatworms need to stay in low flow areas, they can't handle much current. It's not uncommon to see a refugium loaded with flatworms while the display tank has none visible. They may be staying underneath the rock to avoid the current.

[drdude05]

Well, that likely explains why I am seeing most of mine at the base of my reef and not higher up near my acros and montis due to the high turbulent flow.

[Hop]

I quit using the rox carbon because it was too fine and floated in my reactor. I went with their next best carbon and like it better.

[drdude05]

I bought a bottle of flatworm exit today. When I got home I realized that I should have bought two bottles. I'm treating my 180 gallon system which is effectively around 230 gallons including sump volume. Given that one bottle treats 300 gallons, I need another one to effectively do a 2x dose. I'm hoping that by virtue of treating a large water volume it will work for me in keeping the system a little more stable by having a lot of water to dilute out the flatworm toxin when they die. This along with doing water changes and carbon will provide a good result ... hopefully.

[Loverotties]

Good Luck!