Need a predator for flatworms...

[spieszak]

My melanarus won't let snails or hermits live in his tank, and I wonder sometimes if he's plotting a way to get the ones in the tank across the room. Nass snails and conch's now stir my sand bed for me...Only posting so that you have those options in mind if yours is the terror on CUC's that mine is...
Thinking that once i get a live brine feeder HOB thing, I might try putting some back in

 

[Mandragen]

yeah I've had the CUC worry, but I'm going to let it ride and see how he does.

 

[allsps40]

For regular flat worms there are many types of wrasses that do very wll at keeping them down to unnoticeable levels. I have a 6 line and a possum wrasse that both hunt for food all day long and had a pink streaked wrasse that did the same. The coris wrasses are said to be very good as well.

Plus 1

 

[sscat22]

My 6 line wrasse did the work for me

 

[ColaAddict]

I'm using 2 velvet blue nudis right now. they suck em up like a vacuum cleaner. I'll sell them off when they clear up my tank of the red flatworm issue. They might end up reproducing because I have a bunch of food supply for em.

 

[Lynnmw1208]

Certain nudis will hunt for them... but then you will have to get rid of it before it starves.

I have a hitch hiker nudi that eats them. I saw him suck them in like a vacuum! There's a couple babies in there, but I don't see them often as they're so small. Too bad though as I wish I could give them to people with this issue! I'd go with a wrasse or use flatworm exit.

 

[pimp4cheddar]

The problem with using a "lined" wrasse...is that they are a PITA.

I picked up a beautiful Hawaiian 12/4 line wrasse. These guys was awesome in the tank the first few days. He went after the flatworms on my glass...and cleaned up nicely.

The problem is after 2-3 days, he's bullying my fish and flipping my snails upside down! They are usually super bossy in a tank.

He's currently sitting in a gallon gatorade bottle awaiting a trip back to the LFS this afternoon.

I'll probably recommend Flatworm Exit.

 

[Mandragen]

not all wrasse are created equal. I wouldn't generalize animals it's not a good idea.

 

[MJT82]

You should REALLY consider using Flatworm Exit to control your problem. It's always been my mentality that buying specialized predators can lead to you making compromises in your livestock that you normally may not. They can also be hit-or-miss as someone mentioned earlier, but FWE certainly is not! Construct a flatworm vacuum that Melev describes here -> http://www.melevsreef.com/flatworms.html and use FWE per its instructions. Be sure you're ACTIVELY running carbon in a reactor or the like to take care of the toxins they release when they die, and you'll surely be rid of flatworms forever. I had a horrible infestation... They would completely COVER the glass and nearly cover my corals in just a few days. I treated my tank twice (the second time just for good measure) and I haven't had flatworms since! Just my $0.02 from my experience!

 

[georgiadawg]

I had good luck with a leapord wrasse.

 

[mkart]

I bought 4 blue velvet nudis who were doing a great job for three days. Then my elegance coral had them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I now have a sea grass wrasse to try. I am getting pretty close to using FWE.

 

[Mandragen]

You should REALLY consider using Flatworm Exit to control your problem. It's always been my mentality that buying specialized predators can lead to you making compromises in your livestock that you normally may not. They can also be hit-or-miss as someone mentioned earlier, but FWE certainly is not! Construct a flatworm vacuum that Melev describes here -> http://www.melevsreef.com/flatworms.html and use FWE per its instructions. Be sure you're ACTIVELY running carbon in a reactor or the like to take care of the toxins they release when they die, and you'll surely be rid of flatworms forever. I had a horrible infestation... They would completely COVER the glass and nearly cover my corals in just a few days. I treated my tank twice (the second time just for good measure) and I haven't had flatworms since! Just my $0.02 from my experience!

I agree with you that it's never a good idea to get a specific organism to take care of a problem. It's always better to take of problems manually. As of right now, I don't have a problem and don't even know if it will become one. The flatworms do not seem to be getting worse, they are just there, and thought it would be cool to have something to pick at them. The fish is currently in QT, and eats flake like a champ. If he never touches the flatworms, I'll be ok with that. It is supposed to be a peaceful fish, so shouldn't have any problems with him getting along with other fish, even though there is only one other in the tank at the moment. If he gets at the CUC, they are easy enough to replace.

 

[kryppy]

You should REALLY consider using Flatworm Exit to control your problem. It's always been my mentality that buying specialized predators can lead to you making compromises in your livestock that you normally may not. They can also be hit-or-miss as someone mentioned earlier, but FWE certainly is not! Construct a flatworm vacuum that Melev describes here -> http://www.melevsreef.com/flatworms.html and use FWE per its instructions. Be sure you're ACTIVELY running carbon in a reactor or the like to take care of the toxins they release when they die, and you'll surely be rid of flatworms forever. I had a horrible infestation... They would completely COVER the glass and nearly cover my corals in just a few days. I treated my tank twice (the second time just for good measure) and I haven't had flatworms since! Just my $0.02 from my experience!

Having done it both ways, this is the only way I will ever fly!!!!

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