Flatworms on hammer coral

[Fin Mike]

I have a hammer coral that has not been up to par lately. It opens just fine, but some of the tentacles have not been stretching out completely. Upon some persistent observation, I have found flatworms laying on the tentacles that are partially retracted. They are not the red ones that seem to plague peoples tanks, but more like the white ones I see every now and then. There is also something fairly peculiar. Some of the flatworms have a very white spot on their backs and some even have two. These white spots look like something that formed, not a part of their normal morphology.

It is possible and maybe even likely that the flatworms are raiding the algae supplies from the tentacles. I'm not sure, but it seems reasonable.

Has anyone else seen this before? I'd take a picture, but they are pretty see through. If so what did you do?

I'm thinking about dipping it in some Flatworm exit. Sound good?

I'd appreciate any incite you can give on this issue. :beer:

 

[cloak]

You could try giving the coral a freshwater dip. I did this to an elegance coral years ago and the flatworms fell off the coral as soon as the coral hit the water. Read up on the procedure before you do it though. For some corals it's no problem, for others it can be quite stressful. GL.

 

[SDguy]

I like Revive for a coral dip.

 

[blakefoster]

agree with the freshwater dip, I have a melanurus wrasse that loves to eat flat worms, might be a good add to the tank if this type of wrasse is compatible with your set up...

 

[Fin Mike]

Thank you all for your .02.

SDguy, Im not sure that Revive does anything for flatworms. I have some, and I looked over the directions and description and it said nothing about riding the coral of flatworms. Have you used it for this purpose?

I have to do something, but I lack the confidence to take the plunge. I was thinking about starting at a freshwater dip. I would match the pH of the saltwater as well as the temp. I'm hoping this will cut down on any shock, but also burst the flatworms into oblivion.

Any comments before I do the dip?

 

[cloak]

Read up on the procedure before you do it though. For some corals it's no problem, for others it can be quite stressful. GL.

Best of luck... :thumbsup:

 

[SDguy]

Thank you all for your .02.

SDguy, Im not sure that Revive does anything for flatworms. I have some, and I looked over the directions and description and it said nothing about riding the coral of flatworms. Have you used it for this purpose?

I have to do something, but I lack the confidence to take the plunge. I was thinking about starting at a freshwater dip. I would match the pH of the saltwater as well as the temp. I'm hoping this will cut down on any shock, but also burst the flatworms into oblivion.

Any comments before I do the dip?

It works on AEFW, so I suspect it would work on yours as well. Besides, it's a very handy dip to have on hand.

 

[Fin Mike]

Ok Sd guy. I like your suggestion. It is easy to administer, and since I always use it whenever I bring something home, I feel good about it.

I'll let you all know how it goes.

 

[Fin Mike]

Thank you SD Guy. The dip worked pretty well. About thirty or so fell off of the hammer within the fifteen minutes it sat in the dip. I will need to do it again, but eventually they will all be gone. I didn't think Revive worked for that!

 

[Cleancoupe]

agree with the freshwater dip, i have a melanurus wrasse that loves to eat flat worms, might be a good add to the tank if this type of wrasse is compatible with your set up...

+1

 

[llewoh05]

flatworm exit is awesome. used it twice on a mixed tank with no ill effects yet.

 

[oyster45]

I have used Flatworm exit and they came back over a mopnths period of time. Sounds like I need to dose about three times from the sound of it. Some of the flatworms are in hard to reach areas under rock etc.