My own AEFW (Acro Eating Flatworms) images

[melev]

Eggs of AEFW?

 

[VikeBron]

Yes, the eggs. Are there not eggs for them? I have all the corals in the frag tank and have "fluked" them. I had dipped them in Lugols first to get the majority of the FW off. There were not alot of additional buggers that came off in the fluke but there were some. From what I read, all 100 pages, I should wait 2 weeks and then treat again. Is that right?

 

[melev]

I don't recall where the baby AEFW come from. I'm sure you're right about eggs, but for some reason I figured they split via fission just like red panaria do.

Stoney Mahoney was the fluke expert. Running carbon after treatment is pretty important, so don't forget about that.

 

[Bax]

Hope this ins't too off topic, but the red planaria, the ones with the split front end, that are very tiny. Do they eat acros, or are they just a nuisance?

 

[melev]

Actually, the tail is what is somewhat split. It has three lobes (or points) on that end. They are a nuisance, ugly, and when they die in unison their toxins can nuke a tank. Best to siphon out any you see before they can get out of control. Here's a rediculous macro of some.

 

[VikeBron]

I ended up throwing all the affected corals away. I just couldn't risk them coming back and because of being on the road alot, I couldn't spend the time to nurse them back. Really sucks.
Now I get to put some of the rare stuff from the prop tank in the display tank

 

[Dudester]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9699777#post9699777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VikeBron
Yes, the eggs. Are there not eggs for them? I have all the corals in the frag tank and have "fluked" them. I had dipped them in Lugols first to get the majority of the FW off. There were not alot of additional buggers that came off in the fluke but there were some. From what I read, all 100 pages, I should wait 2 weeks and then treat again. Is that right?

FYI, baby AEFW come from eggs that are usually laid near the base of the acropora. They're extremely difficult to find, and magnification is a must. The eggs hatch after about 2 weeks, so the treatment must be repeated, as the eggs themselves are resistant to the Fluke Tabs.

 

[melev]

Wow, it has been so long since I had to deal with this that I forgot about those eggs. Here's a picture of them from my AEFW page.

And one more:

Sorry for not remembering.

 

[highquality]

I noticed a decline in growth when I had to dip my sps a long time ago for sea spiders. I moved some sps to a new tank a put them in some crazy strong dip solution. Name brand iodine dip, not tmpcc. same thing tho, right? anyway they never got back to normal over 7 or 8 months. anyone els notice this?

 

[VikeBron]

Thats why I did what I did. I just didn't have the time or willingness to risk not getting them all.

 

[SERVO]

Well, unfortunately I get to add to this thread on a negative note. I found out that I now have them. Ever since I've set up my tank, I have been extra cautious and have no idea how they ended up in my tank.

Originally when I set up my frag system, I was going to have it separated in case of something like this. Well I never did, and I can most certainly say that I haven't added anything to my main display for about 6 months and things have looked crappy in my frag tank now for about the past 2 months. I think that this confirms Dolts observations in the post earlier in this thread and his own thread that these nasty things are flagellated and mobile and will swim through your system.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=858834&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

I'm going to use Stoney's treatment and will keep you updated.

 

[SERVO]

MAN,

I placed my most affected coral into the bucket and these things went flying everywhere. I couldn't believe how big some can be!!!!

 

[melev]

I hope you can rid your system of them.

 

[SERVO]

Meeeeee Toooooo!!!!

The biggest challenge is getting the enrusted colonies off of the rock and into the bucket with meds. I'm not sure if my Tort colony will even fit into the bucket, furtermore, it has grown onto 3 different rocks. Hmmmmmm. Wire saw anyone?

You know another scarey thing is that we assume that each egg houses one worm, but in reality there could be multiple worms from each egg given the size of the juvenile worms and the size of the eggs, furthermore, I bet that they also reproduce by fission once they get large enough.

 

[VikeBron]

I want to have interceptor for dips on my new corals. Where is the easiest place I can get it ?
Thanks

 

[Znut Reefer]

I think the only place to get is from your local vets.

 

[Lagger]

Do AEFW's live in the sandbed? I have a colony with bitemarks & have dipped it, but just recently noticed an outbreak all over my sandbed & glass. :eek2:

 

[melev]

You see bite marks on the glass and surface sand? That would probably be something else. You'll have to check your tank multiple times, both daytime and late at night. You should find the source that way.

 

[Lagger]

No bitemarks on the sand/glass, just on one of my colonies.

I did a lugols dip about a week ago & probably killed off about a hundred of the little buggers, but have recently noticed a swarm of microscopic bugs all over my sandbed & on the glass.

I'm assuming they are aefw's, but wasn't sure if they live/survive on the sandbed opposed to the hosting acros.

Thanks Marc.

 

[jnfallon]

Bumping this up. After having a few colonies struggle, I dipped and found some AEFW. Weird cause I havent added any corals, rock or anything in over a year.

Anyway, I ordered fluke tabs, and am going to have to start breaking stuff off the rocks.

Have we had any other breakthroughs? I only have 3-4 colonies showing any issues.

Thanks.

Justin