Pests?

[sha23]

Ok so my 3 week old tank is starting to get life. I have flatworms!! I guess this is the wrong type of life. I have 70 lbs of Fiji LR in there no fish no corals. What should I do? Should I add some type of flatworm killer chemical or animal? Or should I just let them be. They are just like the transparent ones in the photography pest photo forum. I also have these cool little bugs all over the place!! 2 main types (sorry for no pics but my camera isnt that good or I do not know how to take pics that close) One looks light green in color and reminds me of a potato bug with 2 spikes coming from the rear of his shell (maybe a centimeter at best, the other is a super super small worm/shirmp looking thing. lol I'll try my best this evening to get pics.

[sha23]

This is what they look like http://www.rshimek.com/images/RFlatworm.jpg

Good or bad?

[sha23]

Here'e what the other bug looks like. How can you tell if you have the parasitic or the harmless bug?


http://thereeftank.com/forums/attach...chmentid=13523

[sha23]

Ok so I did a little research, LMAO I'm actually suppost to be doing scientific research now being in grad school but, oh well. I have a male Sphaeromatid. This stuff is very intersting!! http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-05/rs/index.htm

[Twitterbait]

Looks like something out of the Wrath of Khan. A wrass will take the flatworms out for you. the other dudes... good luck.

[sha23]

Here are some better pics of the critters in my tank.

[tdwyatt]

heh! critters...


watch out for the marine version of most isopods, they like fish,. a few like anything that moves...


...for dinner...

[sha23]

There are a lot starting to appear :-( What should I do? The tank only has LR in it.

[sha23]

Well after doing some more reading it appears that the Sphaeromatid isopods are scavengers and harmless. I'm still scared, this is my first reef and I want everything to be as perfect as possible. Dam I hate when unexpected stuff happens

[tdwyatt]

go without hosts for a few months if you're really worried, but I wouldn't be too concerned unless they came in on a specimen, and quarantine should catch those...


If you add fish and you see a specimen with something unusual on it's body during quarantine, a FW dip will usually remove the parasite. If you add a specimen to the tank, and you are observing it at night and a funny pill-bug-like organism show up on its body, then try to catch it without dislodging the isopod, and treat it with FW as well. 2-3 min and the isopods usually will release.


I wouldn't worry until you have a definite spedimen, many of the isopods look alike, although there is a huge amount of diversity in these subgroups. If you have a parasite, then you need to worry, otherwise, I wouldn't be too concerned.


HTH

[sha23]

Thanks I feel a lil better. I feel better hearing it from one of you experienced reefers then just reading it. I guess I'll just see when I add fish in the future. HTH ? whats that mean?

[tims]

HTH= Hope that helps.

[sha23]

thanks

[Loverotties]

I think it did.