Flatty-boom-blatty

Heyoo · 03-27-2003, 10:54 PM

Is this what I think it is? I've been hearing a lot about flat worms lately, but wouldn't know one if it bit me (can they bite me?

)

Whatever this is (There are lots in the tank), are they a problem? Do I need to kill 'em?

Heyoo · 03-27-2003, 10:56 PM

oh yeah - they're tiny... about the size of a grain of rice, or slightly smaller... and mostly gathered around the lower parts of the tank.

Thanks
JJ

Alice · 03-27-2003, 11:07 PM

That's them all right. Syphon, syphon, syphon....

You can try a variety of fish to keep them at bay....depending on the size of your tank and the aquired taste of the fish. Some people swear by Christmas wrasses, others have had mandarins eat them, I've had a six line who just loved them. But that's hit and miss. There's also a nudibranch that will eat them...off the top of my head I think it's called C. valerins (?) but if you do a search on flatworms, you'll come up with the name.

Good luck...they're a pain, but they don't bite

Alice

Doug1 · 03-27-2003, 11:14 PM

DEPTH CHARGES, really one day you will thank me

Heyoo · 03-27-2003, 11:15 PM

Its a 42 hex tank - I'd like to try a mandarin in there, but I don't know if the clown would open up a can of whoop-arse or not. The tank is full o' pods, so I'm not really worried about the mandarin's diet.

I'll keep my eyes open for the nudi - and I'll talk to some folks about alternative means (ie, Salifert Flatworm exit) to nuke 'em.

Thanks!

JJ

Alice · 03-28-2003, 01:01 AM

Beware of chemical fixes, sometimes they hurt more than they help.

Rick O · 03-28-2003, 05:41 AM

You might try to increase the water flow in the areas where they are heavy.

Heyoo · 03-28-2003, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick O
You might try to increase the water flow in the areas where they are heavy.

Will that kill them off, or just displace them?
If I do nothing, what is the harm? Do flatworms pose any threat to my tank inhabitants?

thanks!
JJ

Rick O · 03-28-2003, 07:07 AM

It doesn't kill them but they won't form the thick mats in areas of high flow. I have them in one tank and I've never been able to find more than a dozen or so at one time. I do have a six-line but I don't think he touches them.

IME

CAT · 03-28-2003, 08:47 AM

The only harm I've heard is that a few people have had mass die-offs that just happen, maybe they overproduce and starve. The big problem is that they release toxins when they die. That's the trouble with the chemicals -if you have too many, the toxins will cause major problems.

Siphoning is probably your best bet. They are attracted to light, so one suggestion has been to point a beam of light on the substrate with a flashlight (while the tank is dark), wait for them to congregate in that spot, and siphon out as many as you can.

Good luck (and welcome to the club