FWE Question

[snowlynx]

So I did get a melanurus wrasse, handsome fellow too. He stayed buried under for 1 day, I got him to come out and he has been out since.

If the M. wrasse doesn't take care of the rusty flatworms and I resort to using FWE, can the fish get sick or die by eating the dead FW's?
The ones I cannot remove?

 

[ReefNomad]

I've only seen one occasion where a melanurus couldn't manage an infestation and the owner dosed FWE... It was a 125 gal reef with a bunch of rock, and a very bad infestation. The owner bought a juvenile melanurus way too late to control such a big problem, so he dosed FWE and siphoned away as many dead worms as possible. In his case, the wrasse didn't even look at the dead worms once they dropped to the sandbed, and continued picking away at surviving ones. After treatment one time, the wrasse cleaned away the remaining problem in a couple weeks.

 

[snowlynx]

I've only seen one occasion where a melanurus couldn't manage an infestation and the owner dosed FWE... It was a 125 gal reef with a bunch of rock, and a very bad infestation. The owner bought a juvenile melanurus way too late to control such a big problem, so he dosed FWE and siphoned away as many dead worms as possible. In his case, the wrasse didn't even look at the dead worms once they dropped to the sandbed, and continued picking away at surviving ones. After treatment one time, the wrasse cleaned away the remaining problem in a couple weeks.

good to know

I wonder if a wrasse's digestive system is immune to FW toxity.
Live FW, injested by the wrasse, dies in it's system, becomes toxic
I would imagine. I'm no marine biologist, lol

 

[pisanoal]

What I would do is let the wrasse knock the population down. Then dose FWE at least 3 times. First time at regular strength, subsequent times at double strength. Maybe 5 days apart. When you dose, blow rocks off with a turkey baster or powerhead, stir the sand a little bit pick the rocks up and move then a little if you can. First time, make sure to siphon out as many dead ones as you get, Second time there should be very few left so unless you see a bunch more, I wouldn't worry about siphoning, just run carbon. Same with 3rd.

This is the exact method I used when I had a bad infestation of them. My wrasse was unaffected by the dead/dying worms and haven't seen a flatworm since.

 

[snowlynx]

What I would do is let the wrasse knock the population down. Then dose FWE at least 3 times. First time at regular strength, subsequent times at double strength. Maybe 5 days apart. When you dose, blow rocks off with a turkey baster or powerhead, stir the sand a little bit pick the rocks up and move then a little if you can. First time, make sure to siphon out as many dead ones as you get, Second time there should be very few left so unless you see a bunch more, I wouldn't worry about siphoning, just run carbon. Same with 3rd.

This is the exact method I used when I had a bad infestation of them. My wrasse was unaffected by the dead/dying worms and haven't seen a flatworm since.

Great info. Thank you.

Not that I am rushing. Is it matter of days or weeks
for wrasse to knock down FW. I used turkey baster
and got some of it put before adding the wrasse.

I'm sure the wrasse needs time to adjust to it's new home.

I do see it nipping at the sand floor near my torch,
hoping it's eating the FW and Not my torch.

 

[hkgar]

I have a Melanurus and a Yellow & Purple Wrasse (Halichoeres leucoxanthus) they both are good at flat worms. Consider adding the Yellow/Prurple or a Yellow Wrasse (Halichoeres chrysus). Good fish and add a nice splash of color.

 

[pisanoal]

Great info. Thank you.

Not that I am rushing. Is it matter of days or weeks
for wrasse to knock down FW. I used turkey baster
and got some of it put before adding the wrasse.

I'm sure the wrasse needs time to adjust to it's new home.

I do see it nipping at the sand floor near my torch,
hoping it's eating the FW and Not my torch.

I haven't heard of then nipping at coral specifically. I would strongly bet on it eating flat worms or other copepods not the coral.

I would give it a week or 2 for him to knock the population down. They usually do so pretty quick. Just observe closely. When you have to look for a little bit to find the flat worms, then dosing will be quite safe. You dont have to wait that long, but the more the wrasse drops the population, the less siphoning you have to do and the lower the risk of toxins harming your tank.