crawls like a worm (ID)

[Maxi]

I need an ID of this white thing. I've found a few and killed em. Got a picture of one of them. I think they have 2 black eyes.
I've looked on melevs reef ID page, and haven't found it, are they good or bad?

 

[FBNitro]

That would be a flatworm. Probably not a bad one if it's just the single. I have a 2 in my tank, they just hang around the glass, had them since day 1, they don't go near my corals.

 

[Maxi]

Ok thank you for the id FBNitro.

What if I have around 20 or so, smaller and bigger ones?

 

[reefworm]

then you'd probably have an outbreak, especially if you see them on your corals. that's really Bad News. lots threads on flatworm problems - do some reading just in case.

 

[inachu]

do fish eat flat worms?

 

[Sk8r]

This is not good.
Flatworm Exit can kill them, but I suggest you read the instructions top to bottom before buying, and ask around for other people's experience with the product.
Tank crash is a possibility if these things build up in your system: what happens: you let them get way out of control, until they form huge masses in your tank---you use Flatworm Exit, and immediately they all die, equivalent mass to a freshwater perch gone bellyup in your tank and not removed. What saves you: a good strong skimmer that can yank out the crud as these guys rot; and water changes and probably carbon, after you've used this product. Again: read up on it very thoroughly and ask questions, please!
Yes, I believe a 6 line wrasse will eat them---it will also eat copepods, meaning you can't have a mandy with that fish in the tank, and it may kill smaller fish like gobies.

 

[FBNitro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13044043#post13044043 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
Yes, I believe a 6 line wrasse will eat them ... and it may kill smaller fish like gobies.

That's news to me, I hadn't heard that before (the part about killing smaller gobies).

 

[will16]

I have had them before. They are suppossed to be harmless...

From wetwebmedia...

your critter is a flatworm/AKA Planaria... and is actually of the harmless variety. This creature preys on copepods and is common to flare in young tanks when the copepod population is strong (yay!) before the tank is overstocked (booo...) or stocked too quickly (too common). They will wane when the copepods do. No worries. Best regards

It's the second picture on the page...

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fltwmid.htm

 

[Maxi]

My tank is not young though, it is over 1 year old.

Where do these things come from? They just form in the tank?

 

[singold]

Probably was a hitchhiker via LR or coral. I just found a few arminids in my tank that eat off corals. Probably got mine as hitchhiker.