Flat worms - Best way to remove

[xxxbadfishxxx]

Well im pretty sure i got flatworms and need to get rid of them ASAP. Is Flat worm exit the best way? Besides a six line wrasse, what else will eat them? any ideas will be helpful.

Jeff

 

[CeeGee]

I got rid of mine by going on vacation and letting my dad "take care" of the tank. He accidentally unplugged my heater and the tank went to 64 degrees for a week. My SPS were white for a couple of months but bounced back luckily. My Royal gramma was no worse for wear and I didn't lose a thing but the flatworms.

Probably not the best solution but it worked fabulously although I was furious at the time.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

LOL, yeah, i think i would like to try alternative methods. What are the best fish to keep flatworms population down?

 

[Jersey Dave]

I just used flatworm exit and it worked excellent.

 

[lazluvtoo]

My only concern about using flatworm exit is what I have read on other threads here about the flatworms discharging toxins while they are dying, which can be harmful to the corals/fish. I have tons of flat worms but have held back on using the "exit" because of my concern of this happening. Can anyone ease my fears?

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

i heard about that too, but arent the flatworms also hurting your corals by covering them. I heard that you just got to syphon as many out as you can before treating, then after treating and they start to die, run some carbon and maybe a water change.

 

[antonsemrad]

Here is my advice.

If you are a fuge, pod, critter type of reefer. Don't use flatworm exit!

If you are bb, rock cookin, can't skimm enough type. Go for it. it will work great. Have enough ro for 100% water change- mixed, heated, and ready to go if needed. Employ carbon in large amounts. Have extra FE around in case they come back, so you can nuke em again.

To tell you the truth they really don't harm anything unless they crash. Sucking them out regular can be viewed as export of nutrients. With some folks they just fade away (if nutrients are low enough). Some people have luck with low salinity, ie making them crash with a swing, or just having it low will slow down thier breeding.

Good luck & Happy Reefing!

Ant

 

[daveonbass]

I'd say sixline...but if not that then just wait it out. I have seen a few spotted mandarians eat them up but they are hit or miss. Never tried FE, but the wrasse fixed it in a natural way. And kept them away. I don't like adding chemicals to the tank. But their populations will decline when they reach a peaking point...then they will begin to die off on their own. but that may take time.

i'd buy the fish.

6-lines are pretty too...

dave

 

[Trigeek]

I second the 6-line idea. Had a friend who had these flatworms and added a sixline which took care of the problem, and now it's his favorite fish.

 

[Rossini]

I was really lucky in that,my flatworms just dissapeared. I had loads of red ones. and they slowly went.

 

[droppindeuce]

One more thing to consider would be some sort of velvet nudibranch. Certain ones only eat flat worms. I didn't really see where you posted exactly what type of flat worm you have. I hope it isn't the red ones. As for that nudi...buy it knowing it will die after eating all flatworms or buy it somewhere that would take it back for a small refund.

 

[xxxbadfishxxx]

ouch, im afraid it is the red ones, tons of small red ones the size of a pin head, maybe a little bigger. They are only in my nano, and a six line truthfully isnt 1 of the 2 fish i wanted in theyre, but i guess for the good of the reef i will add him, i can always move him to my 50 later on. I think i will try the fish first, looks like some may be dying already, i see some on the sandbed. Im not even 100% sure that they are flatworms, see pic below.

Thanks,

Jeff