Huge flatworm! OK or not?

Paul_PSU

Paul_PSU

In Memoriam
I posted this in the SPS forum. LMK your thoughts:

Huge flatworm! OK or not?

I just saw one of these:
(http://video.google.com/videoplay?d...67721560&hl=en/)

in my tank today with the lights off. I use a red led flashlight every morning and check my tank out. I saw this on the bottom under some rocks but couldn't reach it. I have SPS and LPS and clams. Will this eat any of those. Do I need to get this out or is it ok? Mine is about 1" X 2". It is kinda cool looking.

Thanks for any help or input.....
 
No good!

They specifically feed on inverts.

How long have you had the clam?

They'll brainwash you 'till you see their way!
 
I have had it for several months. I have two maximas. one 8 inch and one 3 inch. They are up on the rocks. I wanted to grab the worm but couldn't reach it. It was way under the rocks. What can I do to kill it besides catching it and taking it out?
 
Not sure. They're fast as hell. I caught mine accidentally when moving some LR to a different tank.

Maybe leave a big fish net leaned up against the LR baited with inverts. use a red flashlight and have a 12-pack close by.
 
If they attack my clam will they go after the mantle? I assume so since it is almost transparent with spots like that of the clams mantle. I just want to know where to look for it on the clam.
 
At some point I think the 12 pack may actually hinder the catching of the flatworm :) It also may have a lot to do with the brainwashing effect you spoke of earlier.
 
Bad news... they feed on clams...

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/lg_flatworm.html

You can use a length of airline tubing, create a siphon then suck the SOB out... or you could probably treat your tank with Salifert's Flatworm Exit, and get rid of any other ones in hiding also... just read the instructions and have lots of carbon on hand before you do it.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13899072#post13899072 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cloakerpoked
It also may have a lot to do with the brainwashing effect you spoke of earlier.
Click to expand...

That was a ST reference.
 
I saw that when I first spotted it. That's what made me go "Oh Crap!" I wasn't sure the Flatworm Exit would work on those ones. I would definitely give it a try if it does. I thought it was just the small red ones. I really don't want it to come any where near my clams.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13899919#post13899919 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Bad news... they feed on clams...

http://www.melevsreef.com/id/lg_flatworm.html

You can use a length of airline tubing, create a siphon then suck the SOB out... or you could probably treat your tank with Salifert's Flatworm Exit, and get rid of any other ones in hiding also... just read the instructions and have lots of carbon on hand before you do it.
Click to expand...
 
Eh... that's not "as bad" as the FW... That sucker is definitely on the large side, and it's probably good you pulled him, but bristleworms are a welcomed part of the CUC.

I'll do some digging on the FW exit for you. I used it one time, for Red Planaria, and I also had the white/clear benign ones. I'm pretty sure it nuked both, but it was so long ago I forget.

Also there is a Levasole (sp?) treatment out there, that RC member CleveYank made a recipe for, and has a large thread on. It's supposed to be cheaper, and work better than the FW exit, and may be worth a shot.
 
hey paul
i had flatworms a few months back the brown ones not red. i used fw exit, followed there directions and haven't seen one since. get alot of carbon and keep a good eye on your skimmer. if you think the stuff it pulls out now is nasty just wait and see the stuff you pull out while getting rid of the flatworms. i think i stared a thread while i had them, i will look it up.
 
Roland,
So far I have only seen the one. If I didn't have clams I probably would not even worry about it yet. I thought it was a sponge growing under the rocks and then it started moving.

Here is the the 8+ inch maxima clam and the 3 or 4 inch maxima next to it:

P1010015.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Z
New lps frags - 1 day not doing well
Replies
16
Views
285
Reefing102
Reefing102
M
Leather coral pest or disease
Replies
5
Views
448
kfisc
kfisc
H
New Crocea Clams - Some opening some not?
Replies
3
Views
540
hilde123
H
T
Lighting for my new NANO reef tank 45x40x20 cm- AI PRIME 16 HD or Radion XR15?
Replies
2
Views
317
griss
griss
Guygettnby
To reseal or not to reseal 120g.
Replies
5
Views
465
griss
griss
Back
Top