I have some flatworms and am concerned about using chemicals (flatworm exit). What would be the best fish for natural control? I've looked into the Melanurus wrasse, but have heard they can eat shrimp (I have a fire shrimp). I've looked at the 6 line wrasse but many have said they can turn aggressive. Any suggestions?
Best fish for flatworm control?
- Thread starter twitchzoo
- Start date
I'm trying Melanarus now myself. I have a couple of peppermints and fire shrimp and I haven't seen him bother those in two days now. I believe the Mel will do the trick. I have a number of those worms, too, so I'm hopeful. I have the flatworm exit but I'm a bit gun shy, so I'm trying the Mel first. Keep your tank covered, though, because they are jumpers.
Bob
Bob
Reefing Newbie
New member
A yellow coris wrasse would probably work as well. They may eat shrimp as well though, I have had them suggested to me for stocking my tank. I don't want one though. How big is your tank?
I added a yellow coris wrasse when I noticed that the live rock I picked up from another reefer had a lot of flatworms. A few days later, they were completely gone. He's a brightly colored, active fish, and a model citizen. I have cleaner and fire shrimps and he's never bothered them.
badguitarist
New member
I had a melanuris wrasse for about 5 years, he ate all shrimp from day one but was fine with everything else. He grew from a small juvenile to an adult in the same tank. I moved him to another tank when he was full grown and after the move he started picking on snails and crabs too. just a word of warning.
Really, any of the halichoeres species wrasses, especially the smaller ones, would be good. I personally like biocellatus, due to its small size.
All that said, Flatworm Exit is very safe and very effective, if used properly and according to the instructions.
All that said, Flatworm Exit is very safe and very effective, if used properly and according to the instructions.
JSeymour
New member
I'd even go as far as saying most wrasses. I had a lubbock's fairy wrasse keep a display 100% flatworm free, despite the sump being filled with them. I never saw him eat them, but for over a year he was the only fish in the tank, so I know he was eating them. That wrasse jumped long ago, the same tank now has a mystery wrasse to do the same job. He does good, but I do see a couple dozen flatworms at any given time in the display.
What types of shrimps are you trying to preserve? Big, fat fire shrimps, or tiny sexy shrimps? Most likely any of the secretive wrasses or green or yellow Halichoeres wrasses will work for you. Remember that most of the fish that will eat red planaria/flatworms, or most pests for that matter, are opportunistic carnivores, meaning they can/will eat anything meaty they can fit or smash into their mouth.
I've never used Flatworm Exit, but wouldn't hesitate if I felt I needed to.
Regardless of which way you go, siphon as many out as you can with some airline to reduce their numbers.
davocean
Active member
I agree, and I used this to treat someone elses tank once that was by far the biggest FW outbreak I've ever seen, massive infestation, and absolutely 0 ill affects from FWE.
On my own personal tank, I did notice once FW's in my overflow, yet not a spec in my display, and I'm pretty sure my CBB is what kept them out of my display.
RyanSweatt2004
New member
Six line wrass and scooter dragonets both do well at eating flatworms and won't harm any corals or inverts. Just My personal experience.
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