Is this an AEFW? Closeup Pic!

[Patrick Cox]

I recently noticed a large number of critters crawling on the inside glass of my tank. I thought these were some sort of pod but after I started losing some SPS corals and seeing eggs on a few corals, I realized that these may be AEFW. Here is a closeup picture of one of these creatures. Using live view through my macro lens, I can see them moving around on the glass. If AEFW, if there anything I can dose in the tank to kill them? Will Flatworm Exit kill them or is this only for planaria flatworms?

Thanks!

 

[Agioniko]

Take a turkey Baster and spray the corals. If you see a bunch of those fly off than yes. It is definitely a flatworm that you have a pic of

 

[AdamDeMamp]

Looks like planarian not AEFW. Flatworm exist does help get rid of those but I'd try getting a wrasse that eats them first.

 

[Patrick Cox]

Looks like planarian not AEFW. Flatworm exist does help get rid of those but I'd try getting a wrasse that eats them first.

I know I have the red planaria flat worms and I have treated for those with flatworm exit and I see them floating in the water so I know it is killing them. I can't really tell if it is working on these. Also, I have a mystery wrasse but it doesn't eat them on the glass. Not sure if it is eating them elsewhere in the tank. Any other ideas on these?

Thanks!

 

[Acronic]

Green spot mandarin eats those all day long

 

[Patrick Cox]

Green spot mandarin eats those all day long

Thanks. Are they invasive and/or destructive? Do I need to worry about keeping the population down? Also, would they lay eggs on acropora?

Could the eggs in this picture be from the same flatworm?

Thanks!

 

[jerpa]

Those are harmless. It's very unlikely that you will catch an AEFW anywhere but on an acro, although they must travel because they spread from coral to coral. My wrasse ate both the harmless kind and the AEFW's.

 

[Constrictor6090]

Those are yellow AEFW eggs, treat immediately with Bayer. The first pic is just a copepod eating flatworm and those are harmless.

 

[Constrictor6090]

A neon wrasse is the best for eating the copepod eating flatworms.

 

[Patrick Cox]

Those are yellow AEFW eggs, treat immediately with Bayer. The first pic is just a copepod eating flatworm and those are harmless.

Thanks, yes I figured out that I have AEFW. I just wasn't sure if that's what I saw on the glass or not. It seems strange that they both appeared at the same time. On the AEFW, it is disappointing because I have only put aquacultured frags in my tank from reputable sources and I have dipped each coral I put in but I guess one had eggs on it. I have removed any corals that had signs of damage so we will see if it has already spread to others as well.

 

[biggles]

Good luck, i hope you don't have to start again from scratch with your acros due to those little bastards. Fingers crossed you can save some pieces mate.

 

[Peter Eichler]

Your pic is of a harmless Amphiscolops species worm generally referred to as an acoel.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Thanks. Are they invasive and/or destructive? Do I need to worry about keeping the population down? Also, would they lay eggs on acropora?

Could the eggs in this picture be from the same flatworm?

Thanks!

Sorry but that looks like AEFW eggs to me. Dip your corals ASAP and keep an eye out for more.

 

[Ron Popeil]

seeing those eggs gives me the chills.

 

[dowtish]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2263491&highlight=bayer+aefw

 

[Patrick Cox]

Ok, I have removed the corals that obviously were infested and with eggs. I have two more corals that potentially have AEFW but not sure. Here is a closeup of one of those corals. Does this appear to be a AEFW? On both of these corals, there are dark spots on the coral where it appears a polyp once existed. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

added another photo

 

[Constrictor6090]

The first pic looks like one that is starting to go under the tissue. The second pic is empty coralites

 

[Constrictor6090]

I had success at getting rid of them with Bayer at 10mL per cup for 15mins

 

[Patrick Cox]

Ok, I went to Home Depot and bought some Bayer. I dipped 3 acros that look like they have been bothered by AEFW. Polyps are extending back out after just 10 minutes or so back in the tank. We will see how it goes. Thanks!

 

[xxxduke62xxx]

Your not going to get rid of the AEFW by dipping and putting back into the DT. You will need to set up a stable QT tank and treat with dip once per week for 8 to 12 weeks. Putting them back into the tank will just make them infested again.