FlatWorms...

illal

Active member
Ive been trying to figure out why some of my acros have been loosing color and today I realized I have FlatWorms! Never had them before so kinda clueless asfar as getting rid of them... I literally found out like ahalf hr ago so I have had much time to looking around online and figure I come on here for help/suggestions....the part of the acro where its lost color, will the color come back if I get rid of the FW's? All the polyps are ther but the color is really faded...
 
This guy cleaned it up for me AL.

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/mrx66699/?action=view&current=IMAG0017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/mrx66699/IMAG0017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
AL unfortunately I think the above suggestion is for other type of flatworms.

If they are AEFW u need to dip the corals that coral rx is very very good. The wrasses will control the population if u turkey baste them.
 
This guy cleaned it up for me AL.

<a href="http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/mrx66699/?action=view&current=IMAG0017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b70/mrx66699/IMAG0017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

What kind of wrasse is this?
 
What about where the acros are encrusted on to the rocks?

Well buddy unfortunately those need to come out 2- So if the rocks are small out they come for a dip 2. that is if u want to control the population. Then check for eggs while out and scrpe them, then check again in 30 days.

Please take some pics beforehand so we can decide what are u dealing with.:beer:

Or u can live with them- but since your tank is semi new now is the time
 
Listen to Manny Al. A wrasse is a good idea to have around to handle random pests, but not to eradicate AEFWs. Don't panic. You just need to treat for them and all will be fine. If you can get the acros out of your tank for a couple of months and treat them in another tank, that would be best. Not so hard to do if you use water changes from the main tank to a hospital tank nearby. Best of luck.
 
Al, I wouldn't use coral RX, I have had mix results with that product, it works 100% killing the flatworms but in tree occasions it has killed the coral too. That was enough for me.
I will stick to Fluke tabs you can get them in your neighborhood store they have them behind the counter.
You can deep the corals even if the are encrusted but avoid dipping the entire rock just flip and keep the rock outside the container, the dipping is not long so it is not a big deal.
Once you have gotten rid of the big critters you need to check for eggs, they are relatively easy to find, but you need to know what you are looking for, they are laid exclusively on DEAD acro skeleton, these are areas usually near the base but not exclusive that will have no epidermis (Slime) and these ones you deal with in a different way, I like using a combination of baby toothbrush and metal teeth picker (garf) just scrape them with the picker and finish with the brush, don't worry about hurting the coral, it is dead already in that area. Also look inside holes and crevices.
As far as the fishes that will continue keeping this critters in line, I recommend a Hawaiian 4 line wrasse, I also like the real yellow and green coris wrasses, any of these fish or combination will work good.
Call me if you have any questions.
 
Had a problem about a year ago, treated with Flatworm-Exit from Salifert. No negative effects on the corals (SPS, LPS, zoas, etc). Not sure if we are talking about the same type of flatworms - didn't know there were different kinds. The outbreak I had was mostly concentrated on my mushrooms. The wrasse pictured is an African Leopard, I have a Leopard as well, and no more flatworms.
 
Rogger, did you know that Fluke tabs have been discontinued? The company that made them was purchased and the new owners decided to no longer make the product. So, if you find any, buy them, they might be the last ones you will see....
 
Had a problem about a year ago, treated with Flatworm-Exit from Salifert. No negative effects on the corals (SPS, LPS, zoas, etc). Not sure if we are talking about the same type of flatworms - didn't know there were different kinds. The outbreak I had was mostly concentrated on my mushrooms. The wrasse pictured is an African Leopard, I have a Leopard as well, and no more flatworms.

Wrong flatworms- we are talking about aefw
Acropora eating flatworms
 
I worked 15 hrs today so didnt have time to address my AEFW problem but Ive got the day off tommorow and plan to do something about it.... I have a few questions... After I dip the Acros im going to want to quarentine them? If the Acros are the only thing in my frag tank will it be safe to quaretine them in there? If not I have a empty 10g I can use.... All of my Acros that lost color still have ther polyps. Will the color come back after they are treated?
 
I think all will including the 4 line is just a matter of patience.

U may want to introduce 2-3 yellows/radiant all at once.
 
This weekend I am tearing apart my 90 gal to get out my 6line. Hes a little mean to my other fish. You can have him if you like.
 
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