I got flatworms

[Ding2daDong]

Just recently I started losing some really nice zoanthid colonies and couldn't figure out why? I dipped all the zoanthids prior to them being introduced into my system so I know I don't have any nudibranch. Well today while I was cleaning up my tank I noticed all these small red flatworms. My camera can't focus on them because they are so small.

I just wanted to know if anyone else has had this problem and knows any good step on how to get rid of them without killing any coral or fish. I just bought flatworm exit so I plan on using that unless anyone has a better plan.

Thanks in advance

-Matthew

 

[jeffbrig]

FWE is the way to go. It's extremely effective on the common red flatworms. I had them on a coral in QT once, this stuff eradicated them. The instructions to use carbon heavily aren't because of the FWE itself, but rather toxins in the flatworms themselves. Siphon out all you can before and after to be safe.

 

[Ding2daDong]

Should I be prepared to do a full flush of all the water in my tank after the treatment?

I will talk to you more about it at the meeting tonight Jeff.

Thanks

-Matthew

 

[ReefWreak]

Funny you mention flatworms. I've never had anything effect my corals as far as pests, but in the past 2 days, I've seen flatworms on the front of my glass, for the first time ever. Only thing that's changed is that I got 2 acro colonies from Gasman, but they were fully dipped for 6 hours in fluke and redbug meds as well as a TMPCC clone from seachem... ::shrug::

 

[gasman059]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9993477#post9993477 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWreak
Funny you mention flatworms. I've never had anything effect my corals as far as pests, but in the past 2 days, I've seen flatworms on the front of my glass, for the first time ever. Only thing that's changed is that I got 2 acro colonies from Gasman, but they were fully dipped for 6 hours in fluke and redbug meds as well as a TMPCC clone from seachem... ::shrug::

yikes Eric makes me wonder- although I'm as sure as I can that I dont have them. Anyways good luck.

 

[Jon770]

Hey Matt - I guess you finally figured out the problem...

let me know how it goes.

 

[Ding2daDong]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9993614#post9993614 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jon770
Hey Matt - I guess you finally figured out the problem...

let me know how it goes.

Yea I hope to get rid of these little buggers asap. I knew there was something wrong when some of the zoanthids you wanted were not opening up. I am glad I held off and didn't send any of them your way. I will let you know when I am flatworm free and send you some more pictures.

Thanks


-Matthew

 

[ReefWreak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9993606#post9993606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gasman059
yikes Eric makes me wonder- although I'm as sure as I can that I dont have them. Anyways good luck.

Thanks Manny. I doubt that you have them, or if you do, your legions of wrasses eat them before you can ever notice them.

Mine still are not in plague proportions in my tank, just maybe 15 little ones the size of dust flakes on the glass... I let them be and there were less today. It probably has to do with my skimmer not working well these past few days....

 

[gasman059]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9993743#post9993743 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWreak
Thanks Manny. I doubt that you have them, or if you do, your legions of wrasses eat them before you can ever notice them.

Mine still are not in plague proportions in my tank, just maybe 15 little ones the size of dust flakes on the glass... I let them be and there were less today. It probably has to do with my skimmer not working well these past few days....

Eric I'm positive I dont have them-perhaps some of your zoos colonies that were not dipped in TMPCC(like I gave u) easily might have introduced them to your system. Anyways keep an eye on them and consider treating if any problems arises

 

[gasman059]

but they were fully dipped for 6 hours in fluke and redbug meds as well as a TMPCC clone from seachem... ::shrug::

Eric it's not a clone but simply a bottle that I filled with TMPCC when one of my bottles broke the dispenser.
BTW the seachem preparation is also Iodine based.

 

[ReefWreak]

oOo I thought that they were just a clone of the TMPCC thing. Sounds good tho manny. It may have come on the zoos that I got from the last frag swap from jess, but who knows... ::shrug:: Glad to hear that your tank is FW free though

 

[gasman059]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9995699#post9995699 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefWreak
oOo I thought that they were just a clone of the TMPCC thing. Sounds good tho manny. It may have come on the zoos that I got from the last frag swap from jess, but who knows... ::shrug:: Glad to hear that your tank is FW free though

Dont be starting any rumors now-lol
I was about to put a huge digi colony and after dipping found some nudis-with eggs. Both me and Roger saw them-she went into my lake.
Anyways good luck if thats your problem

BTW if u got them frags at a meeting w/o dipping thats the answer IMHO

 

[ReefWreak]

This was my first meeting, and I haven't gotten frags from anyone since the beginning of my tank like a good 8 months ago. Yeah Rogger was telling us some horror stories of FWs from back in the day, I think on the Miami Orchid colony? Anyway, Sorry if I started rumors I'm just trying to piece together this situation, and make sure it stays under control, which it looks like it will...

 

[Palmettopark]

What if any are negative side effects of using flat worm exit?

 

[Rogger Castells]

Matt look into something else killing your Zoos, Regular flatworms (Planaria) will not eat zoos or anything else other than detritus, the biggest issue with them is that they are very toxic and usually fragile, sometimes large qty's die and each FW releases the toxins in the water there fore killing things, however you will need to be at infestation level to get to this point this will mean a blanket of this critters in your sand and liverocks.
If you just spotted a few FW, just introduce a small spotted mandarin and he will keep them under control.

 

[bckane]

I spotted them awhile back had them for about 2 weeks the they just disapeared....havent seen on seens

 

[truth954]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9998581#post9998581 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bckane
I spotted them awhile back had them for about 2 weeks the they just disapeared....havent seen on seens

What in the world are those things???

 

[bckane]

Trurth954.....Flatworms

 

[titus164]

I have those being sucked up into my maxi filter all the time and wondered what they were, I guess I know now lol. They hitchhiked in as my live rock was infested with everything, including a small crab I wasnt aware I had until I found him dead, zoa's, and some other interesting things among the not so interesting.

 

[A.T.T.R]

i bet you have the nudies.. theya re hard to spot when small but they can do this

flat worms dont usualy cause corals to close unless htey are blanketing them