Are these flatworms or leeches crawling all over my Seahorses?!!
- Thread starter sugartooth
- Start date
sugartooth
Reef bully
Yes, it is a 20 gallon L(ong). Sorry about that...
reefD- I am considering your suggestion, but would rather try to beat this without adding meds...if at all possible.
Nutrients!!! Yes!!! Recently I have been adding this product called Phyco Pure that is xoanthelle (?), micro algae, phyto, etc.
++PLUS++
I have been giving that tank all the extra rotifers from each harvest when I feed the babies.
That may have done it huh?
reefD- I am considering your suggestion, but would rather try to beat this without adding meds...if at all possible.
Nutrients!!! Yes!!! Recently I have been adding this product called Phyco Pure that is xoanthelle (?), micro algae, phyto, etc.
++PLUS++
I have been giving that tank all the extra rotifers from each harvest when I feed the babies.
That may have done it huh?
reefD
New member
yes. seahorses feed alot and with out a stomach thier pop is high in nutrients as it comes out close to looking like it did when eaten. in anycase try refrain and also consider spending some time day after day just sucking thenm out with a small airline tube. after a good dedicated week you can really reduce the numbers by alot. also try addding a temp hang on with carbon to help suck up everything ...remember to change it sooner than later with new stuff/carbon to add aditional polishing off.
the extra dosing may have added to the already high nutrient rich area.
the extra dosing may have added to the already high nutrient rich area.
sugartooth
Reef bully
Thanks everyone....that makes sense that maybe there were there and with the additional Phyco pure and rotifers I added to that system...*boom*
Page two is all yours Freed!
Yes, I understand about QT...but I guess I wanted to know specifically which they come in on, for example live rock or frags and such. I was so upset I got them because I dip everything that comes in...but of course I lacked judgement with the unicorn tang. Wouldn't you notice these if they were on fish?
Ah well, I feel better today. Off I go to siphon these marvelous flatworms out.
I will post pictures later on tonight so everyone can see how many I got....and out of a 20 gallon tank!
Page two is all yours Freed!
Yes, I understand about QT...but I guess I wanted to know specifically which they come in on, for example live rock or frags and such. I was so upset I got them because I dip everything that comes in...but of course I lacked judgement with the unicorn tang. Wouldn't you notice these if they were on fish?
Ah well, I feel better today. Off I go to siphon these marvelous flatworms out.
I will post pictures later on tonight so everyone can see how many I got....and out of a 20 gallon tank!
sugartooth
Reef bully
Hi Fred- I've been using Tropic Marin Pro Coral Cure. Previous to that I was using Lugol's.
reefD
New member
flatworms are hard to remove by dip due to most being intro'd from coral/inverts! and we cant do much to them as far as chemicals. by qt'ing you get a chance to see them and use something like flat worm exit or the stuff vets use for pets to remove. i think as long as they are not noticably growing its ok. you can get a gareenteee remove with a flatworm eating nudibrach aka Chelidonura varians ....... but most reefs are not ideal for them as the flow is high and intakes strong but not always an issue when lots of food is arouns as they dont ventur far and get injured but equipment.. in any case something to consider. heres a link. great article! great read!
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2002/short.htm
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2002/short.htm
sugartooth
Reef bully
I thought the dip would take care of everything....plus I shake vigorously in tank water before putting into the main tank...
Point taken about QT and having the opportunity to notice things like that.
Well, I went flatworm hunting again. I noticed that there were many of them in the hair and macro algae. I started pulling some of it, but I didn't want to pull it all out because I need them for the seahorses. I started vacuuming the algae.
Well, I noticed that the largest ones were the ones in the algae, the same size as the ones that were found crawling all over my seahorses.
Here is what I caught tonight, after yesterday and the night before hunting.
This is what they looked like after TMPCC, not much different:
I thought they were supposed to float or something? They started moving around and then just balled up.
So, is it going to be okay for the reef and seahorses if I go with Flatworm exit? I'm scared to put meds in the tank.
Point taken about QT and having the opportunity to notice things like that.
Well, I went flatworm hunting again. I noticed that there were many of them in the hair and macro algae. I started pulling some of it, but I didn't want to pull it all out because I need them for the seahorses. I started vacuuming the algae.
Well, I noticed that the largest ones were the ones in the algae, the same size as the ones that were found crawling all over my seahorses.
Here is what I caught tonight, after yesterday and the night before hunting.
This is what they looked like after TMPCC, not much different:
I thought they were supposed to float or something? They started moving around and then just balled up.
So, is it going to be okay for the reef and seahorses if I go with Flatworm exit? I'm scared to put meds in the tank.
reefD
New member
im not sure about flatworm exit and horses. lets do some research and ask in the site. ill get some answers. as far as i know the only thing it can effect is pods and such tiny stuff. not kill off but maybe deplete. thats all ive heard in reef use. but in horses care im not sure any experiences? ill get back anything i find ouyt
NanoLurker
Member
i've never used the stuff myself. i know some over at seahorse.org have mentioned it but i don't know if anyone there has actually used it in a horse tank. i don't know if you're a member there but that's the place i would ask.
reefD
New member
i know people that have used it. but in reef tanks with no seahorses. the worms definately float when they die. you turn off all pumps when you dose and within the hour they float from everytwhere to the surface ....this is good so you can skim them out and not let them exude toxic stuff.
Flatworm Exit should be ok with seahorses. the medication is rather specific to flatworms. Why I do not know.
If you want to know for sure, Ask the manufacturer directly. Habib is a member of RC and posts from time to time. PM him directly and I am sure he will answer you.
Fred
If you want to know for sure, Ask the manufacturer directly. Habib is a member of RC and posts from time to time. PM him directly and I am sure he will answer you.
Fred
sugartooth
Reef bully
Thanks everyone. I will ask Habib. I am very nervous to use anything in the tank, much less with the seahorses in them.
I will see what they do after Lugol's tonight after hunting them and dosing the same way.
I will see what they do after Lugol's tonight after hunting them and dosing the same way.
I have had the flatworm plague a few times in various tanks and treated with FW exit with some sucess. Very important to follow directions and be ready for a major toxin release. I recently tried it in my planted seahorse tank and after killing many flatworms that were hiding in plants etc. the toxins almost killed my seahorses. I followed the directions including a change in charcoal and siphoning out as many as I could see. I ended up doing a massive 70% quick water change (my seahorses looked like they were dying) and I was lucky that they survived.
After several weeks the flatworms were back After talking to several members in my local club (WMAS) we spoke about alternatives to chemicals. A green Chromis came up in conversation. We had 3 plumbed tanks the tank with the chromis there was no evidence of flatworms spreading to this tank. I have heard of and was written in a publication that a green spotted mandarin would eat flatworms. Also six line wrasse would take care of them.
I was concerned that any of these would bother the seahorses.
I deceided on adding a chromis first since the plague was growing. The chromis is sort of a mid level fish but as most of us know are very peaceful.
It was hard to notice a difference after a couple of days and I was growing impaitent. I then added a six line....that was the key. In a matter of 2 weeks the plague is almost gone. My six line looks like he's having babies...very plump. IMO six lines are also very docile and does not bother the seahorses. I cannot tell if the chromis also assisted in the eradication of the flatworms but it's worth the test. Another plus fish are cheaper and last longer (flatworm exit at the LFS $25, six line wrasse $14.00 and a chromis $3.99). I'll take the fish remedy!
After several weeks the flatworms were back After talking to several members in my local club (WMAS) we spoke about alternatives to chemicals. A green Chromis came up in conversation. We had 3 plumbed tanks the tank with the chromis there was no evidence of flatworms spreading to this tank. I have heard of and was written in a publication that a green spotted mandarin would eat flatworms. Also six line wrasse would take care of them.
I was concerned that any of these would bother the seahorses.
I deceided on adding a chromis first since the plague was growing. The chromis is sort of a mid level fish but as most of us know are very peaceful.
It was hard to notice a difference after a couple of days and I was growing impaitent. I then added a six line....that was the key. In a matter of 2 weeks the plague is almost gone. My six line looks like he's having babies...very plump. IMO six lines are also very docile and does not bother the seahorses. I cannot tell if the chromis also assisted in the eradication of the flatworms but it's worth the test. Another plus fish are cheaper and last longer (flatworm exit at the LFS $25, six line wrasse $14.00 and a chromis $3.99). I'll take the fish remedy!
