Is this Normal?
- Thread starter FishyMel
- Start date
mr_miagi32
New member
They appear to be Flatworms, maybe run a few generic searches here and on Google. 
coralnut99
New member
If they aren't present anywhere else, you can shut off all your pumps while you remove the rock, and dip it in flatworm exit. You can also treat the entire tank with flatworm exit, but crustaceans will suffer. Try searching "flatworm exit". If the RC search function is tied up, I think you can google it also, and you'll be led to some of the threads. Lots of info out there. FE is a Salifert product.
What I've found to work almost as well is to just step up water circulation for short periods. They don't do well in higher water movement scenarios, so a periodic blast with a turkey baster seems to keep them in check. By periodic, I mean daily for a week or so. Then just whenever you see that they are coming back. It doesn't erdicate them, but seems to keep them at un-plague-like levels. The turkey baster treatment is also good for keeping your rock clear of debris and really should be done anyway in low-flow scenarios.
What I've found to work almost as well is to just step up water circulation for short periods. They don't do well in higher water movement scenarios, so a periodic blast with a turkey baster seems to keep them in check. By periodic, I mean daily for a week or so. Then just whenever you see that they are coming back. It doesn't erdicate them, but seems to keep them at un-plague-like levels. The turkey baster treatment is also good for keeping your rock clear of debris and really should be done anyway in low-flow scenarios.
FishyMel
New member
They are only on the mushrooms right now, I think I will first try the turkey baster method, so all I have to do is give them a spray down with a turkey baster full of water once a day? The levels of them arent that high, only about 3 on each shroom.
Also, what about freshwater dips would that do anything? Have any of you guys used FE? I am always cautious of medications, would there be lasting effects in the tank for a dip? As far as inverts I only have peppermint shrimp but I do have a shark and a ray which can be very sensitive.
Also, what about freshwater dips would that do anything? Have any of you guys used FE? I am always cautious of medications, would there be lasting effects in the tank for a dip? As far as inverts I only have peppermint shrimp but I do have a shark and a ray which can be very sensitive.
coralnut99
New member
The turkey baster simply does what your water circulation and "clean-up crew" should be doing in tandem; keeping the rocks clear of debris, so it can do its' job as part of the biological filtration scheme. If not cleared of debris, it works in reverse and becomes a nutrient sink. The flatworms are drawn to the rocks by the nutrients they find in film algae and settled debris in low flow areas. Active water ciculation disrupts that whole process. The turkey baster need not be full of FW, just draw tank water into it and blast the rock work where you see Flatworms. In your case I would try a quick swish in fresh water first.
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