Flatworms on Anchor, torch, and frogspawn

[JIM260]

Just noticed last night. What have you personally found to be the best, least stressful way on the coral to get rid of them?

I prefer natural methods?

How are they actually harmful to the corals?

 

[JenDub]

A freshwater dip will flush them out quickly. Most won't harm the coral although they could block the coral's light if they get too thick.

A psychedelic mandarin worked well for mine, a scooter blenny can work as well (depending on fish & other foods available)

~Charles~

 

[Murph72]

I concur with the idea of the mandarin. My mandarin wiped them out in no time, plus he was a great addition to the tank. No flatworms, naturally eliminated, and the fish is still going strong a year later.

 

[Zoalander]

Mandarins eat flatwormd? Good to now it's the only fish I keep in my 2 reefs.

 

[Kogo]

flatworms = mandarine food

makes them sound like less of a neusence now doesnt it ( LOL )

 

[JIM260]

What great input! Thank you very much. I am going to buy a Green Manderine first of next week.

Interesting, I live near Tropicorium in Detroit. I called them regarding this and got to speak to "the man" himself- Dick Perrin. he agreed with the Manderine of which I will buy from him. He also said that from their obvious "considerable" experience in reef keeping- Green Chromis were very effective in reducing or eliminating them.

Another question. Those that responded- have your manderines "actually" picked them off the tentacles of your LPS or just the surrounding rock?

 

[Murph72]

My mandarin (the psychedelic kind) ate all of the flatworms on the sand and on the corals. He was very efficient Have the green mandarins been found to do the same thing? I would imagine so, but I've only known people who tried the kind I have.

 

[JIM260]

Murph- gotcha- psychedelic not green. They're both green so its a little confusing but now I am clear.

 

[Kogo]

many will recomend the target mandarine. i used bolth. cleaned out all (noticable) traces of flatworms in three days.

there are still more flatworms in the system, but its fun watching the mandarine go hunt them down.

 

[JIM260]

I love good news! Thank you Kogo.