interesting critter

[DMBillies]

I found a critter crawling on my glass and I haven't been able to ID it. I doubt it's bad, but I am just very curious about all of the different things you can find crawling around in a tank when you take the time (and have the eyes) to look real close.

I tried photoshopping it because it is quite blurry (my camera is not the best) and the main tank lighting was off. It is maybe about 1/4" (slightly less) and has two long skinny "tails" that stick off the back. It looked moslty clear to milky white and as best i could tell had no shell of any sort. After just looking back in the tank it seems to be laying eggs on the tank glass. I can see quite a few smaller ones on the glass as well.

Anyway, I just got this tank that I am seeing them in a couple of weeks ago and have never seen anything that looks like it in my other tank (not that they aren't necessarily there). Anyone have any ideas?

 

[gflat65]

I'm gonna go with Planaria flatworm for a thousand, Alex. I saw some like it this past weekened while perusing stores. Interesting colors. White with an orangish spot just above center and moved by tucking the larger part of it's body in and pulling forward. I saw three or four different colors. They typically aren't a concern. A spotten mandarin or a six line wrasse will take care of them. Don't try to keep the two together, though. Six lines are jumpers and mandarins have their own semi special needs. You can treat the tank with flat worm exit, too, but until they start to explode in population, they usually don't cause any issues. En masse, they can cause problems because they are toxic.

 

[pitbullpooch]

i 2nd the planaria flatworm. i got a frag at one time and had some on it .within a week there were so many i couldnt believe it. i dont know what got rid of them but something in my tank must of ate them cause they disapeared after a few weeks.

 

[DMBillies]

Gary... I'd say your description of how they move is spot on. It's good to hear that at least they aren't a huge problem. I'll keep my eye on them and if I notice an explosion in numbers I'll be sure to find a remedy. Are there any other fish that eat them?

Also, are you sure the white ones are toxic? A quick search comes up with mostly talks about the red ones (and that they are the "bad" ones).

 

[rsteagall]

The Leopard Wrasse and Velvet Nudibranch definitely eat them.

http://melevsreef.com/id/flatworm.html

I'd try one of those Leopard Wrasses if you can.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?pCatId=339

From what I understand the Velvet Nudibranch will eat them, but it will eat itself to death and if it dies in your system I've heard its fairly poisonous itself.

By your picture, its hard to tell the color of it... but I would believe this to be a Benign Flatworm. So I'm not certain its the bad kind. The bad one's have a rust brown color to them and are called Red Planaria

Personally, if you only have a few right now.... I'd go ahead and get some FlatwormeXit and do it to it before they have a chance to grow out of control! I've used it with great success and no side effects. Whatever you do... follow the directions closely. After the first time I ran carbon per the instructions, but I didn't 2-5 times because there weren't as many to die off as there was the first. Even if you use this stuff... I'd still suggest a sixline or leopard just in case. Plus, they are pretty cool and curious fish.

If you do this, be prepared for a fast and swift schedule. For about 45minutes you'll work hard adding carbon, turning on/off your PS nad UV Filter., doing water change, sucking out planaria, ect, ect , ect...

 

[gflat65]

Mandarins and six line wrasses love them...

 

[fish tanked]

might a scooter blenny eat them as well? Just a thought.