Another "what is this?" Question

[aprilschutt]

What are these things. They are all over my rocks and they can be blown off so it's not like they are stuck. They are a brownish green and small. Sometimes they are on the glass, or sand, and my rocks. Anyone? What do I do to get rid of them?

You can see one on the glass in this picture. So hard to capture though.

 

[mcgyvr]

flatworms..

manual removal or you can try flatworm exit or similar

 

[aprilschutt]

Flatworms? Are they harmful?

 

[aprilschutt]

Ok did a quick google search. I don't think they are flat worms. It seems to me like an algae of some sort. Sort of paper like....

 

[GhostCon1]

They are flatworms.

 

[Gagonzalez]

Nope. Definitely flat worms. You don't want them!

 

[aprilschutt]

Ok. My tank has been fish less for almost 8 weeks (they are in QT) They don't need a host?

 

[spieszak]

search red planaria.
Flatworms of the sort in your picture don't need fish.

 

[aprilschutt]

Seriously feeling so defeated right now. I am new to this hobby and have already had several things not go right. including loosing my yellow tang and two clowns while in quarantine. Argh!! So, after looking at them super close I also noticed a super tiny, smaller than a pin head size, red dot sort of moving on the glass in my tank too. I saw two of them. How bad is that now too and what is it? Thanks for all the help!

 

[chueu]

A nice six line wrasse will eat them

 

[chueu]

Or if ur tank is empty.. flatworm exit, ive used it, pretty decent

 

[aprilschutt]

I think I'm going to give flatworm exit a go. I am not sure about getting a wrasse quite yet and since it should be quarantined for 4 weeks or so as a new arrival I don't want to wait that long to hit the flatworms. Ahh, all part of learning I guess!

 

[spieszak]

I've never had a problem at all with flatworm exit, even at 3 or four times dosage. Snails seem to get a little weird, but no real problems. Also note that I used it enough to get to 3 or 4 times dosage. It knocks them out, but it always seems a few survive. I only treat when I notice them bothering things, and there have to be a boat load of them it seems for that to happen

 

[aprilschutt]

Thanks so much for this info!

 

[slosht]

Siphon them out when you use flatworm exit, don't leave them in your tank.

 

[raven312]

Siphon them out when you use flatworm exit, don't leave them in your tank.

Will they float up to the top when they're dead?

 

[spieszak]

Some turn into stringy like things when they die. Those kind of float. Some are more stunned by the flatworm exit than killed, they stay on the rocks, but you can siphon them. Its a good idea to siphon all you can BEFORE using the FWE. Its the toxins the flat worms release that is dangerous to the tank, not the actual FWE.