Flatworm outbreak

[cwschoon]

was away for 2 weeks and I have a flatworm outbreak. Purchased a coris wrasse and an arrow crab and am looking into PraziPro.
Any suggestions/opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[maxxII]

Those are red planaria alright. Only thing I've heard of killing them was salifert's flatworm exit...

Why did you purchase the arrow crab and the coris wrasse?

 

[cwschoon]

I did a fair bit of research today and it seems that certain wrasses will eat flatworms-melanurus and yellow coris being the most recommended. While talking things over at my LFS, it seems arrow crabs can sometimes be a help as well.
I would rather not have to go the route of flatworm eXit or PraziPro.

 

[maxxII]

Good luck.

I've used Flatworm exit with no ill effects on my tanks....clams, fish, corals, anemones., and shrimp/crabs.

Snails acted drunk, same with bristleworms....flatworms died.

 

[cwschoon]

It seems that as long as you follow the instructions FWE does work. My LFS recommends PraziPro. Any opinions there?

 

[maxxII]

I would NOT use Prazi-Pro on an established reef.
I've used it in QT, but would not use it in a reef.

 

[cwschoon]

Thanks for the advice. I am in agreement.

 

[pinnatus]

Flatworm exit works great. However, flatworms when they die emit a little poison. So, if you don't have too many, you will be fine. If you have a lot you will absolutely wipe out your tank - not because of flatworm exit but because of the toxins emitted by the flatworm dying. And for every flatworm you see, there are probably 5 you don't see. Since they are otherwise harmless, I would go the wrasse route or just leave them alone and eventually the population will decline on its own.

 

[d-man]

Prazipro is completely ok to use in an established reef. I've used it multiple times and am currently in use of a dose. Everything is and has been fine. I'm not seeing death of FW though. I'm using it for internal worms/parasites

 

[pinnatus]

Agree Prazipro is safe, but not useful on flatworms.

 

[ca1ore]

I don't and won't use any broadcast meds on my reef tank. Red planaria can be a major pain, so employing a biological control is best. Many wrasses will eat them, though not all and not always all individuals. My favored control is a dusky wrasse; mine eats planaria, bristle worms, pyramid snails ... but can be tough on the CUC and gets quite large at 7-8". Hoeven's/Melanarus would be my second choice and it remains smaller. No experience with coris wrasses.