need help getting rid off ginormous clam eating flatworm

[tomtoothdoc]

anyone know how to get rid off a flatworm this big? (the clam was about 5 inches). i have a 4" yellow coris but i think the worm is still there because i lost 2 more clams in the past 2 months.( i had 7...other 4 are doing well so it's not other factors such as water parameters). can't move the clams, they anchored themselves pretty tightly....they have been in the tank for more than 2 years.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

cut the clam and get it off, or you will have no clams soon. I would dip the clam and worm in FW, and it should let go. You might also want to consider flatworm exit on the whole tank. There may be more in there that you dont see.

 

[tomtoothdoc]

flatworm exit safe for treating the whole tank? even with snails, shrimps, crabs, sea cucumber, sand sifting star, softies, lps's and some monti's?

the flatworm is no longer attached to the clam. it is pretty quick and elusive. haven't seen it since last time when i got the pic. of it eating the clam.

 

[LeslieH]

Get some market clams or frozen clams and put one into a container to bait out the flatworm. Try a long tube; put the meat at one end then plug that end. The worm has to crawl inside to get the meat. Once it does you can pull out the tube.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Flatworm exit itself is safe to use. However, the problems people have is that flatworms can be VERY toxic. So the faltworm exit kills the worms, the worms release the toxins, and poof- dead tank. If you dont have a big problem with flatworms (in quantity), have a large amount of water ready for a water change, and, run carbon, polyfilter, etc, you should be just fine.

Those polyclads hide VERY well, depsite their size.

Defintitely let me know about the hybrid. She's a beaut!

 

[Compguy]

So flatworm exit will not kill snails, crabs or invertebrates, its just the toxins that the worms themselves release that can?

 

[Compguy]

Hey, I just got done reading a thread, maybe you want to try this, I know I sure am gonna try it.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1379099

 

[tomtoothdoc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12516223#post12516223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LeslieH
Get some market clams or frozen clams and put one into a container to bait out the flatworm. Try a long tube; put the meat at one end then plug that end. The worm has to crawl inside to get the meat. Once it does you can pull out the tube.

i think i'm gonna try this method first. leslieh, how long and what diameter of a tube should i use? i was thinking of clear hard plastic tubing with 3/4" diameter about 8" long. i assume after all the lights go off is when the flatworm would "hunt", yes?

 

[BangkokMatt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12516223#post12516223 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LeslieH
Get some market clams or frozen clams and put one into a container to bait out the flatworm. Try a long tube; put the meat at one end then plug that end. The worm has to crawl inside to get the meat. Once it does you can pull out the tube.

Nice!