Nudi, flatworm?

[hobbzz]

Do I need to be worried about these guys? Haven't been able to find anything yet...

 

[Wolverine]

That's a flatworm. I don't like them in my tank, and use Flatworm Exit.

 

[nanoreef heaven]

If it's the red kind they are bad bad bad.

*Sent from my little corner of the reef. Nano nano!*

 

[Rebel]

Yes, they are bad in the thousands, but individually or in small numbers, just a problem to be investigated. What I mean is, don't over react and go chasing all sorts of remedies that may cause more harm if it is not an outbreak or epidemic (I had piles of them all over the tank about ten years ago--that was an epidemic). I would siphon all I see and look for likely causes for them. If you see them increasing or multiplying, then look into remedies or treatments.

 

[SushiGirl]

Yes, they are bad in the thousands, but individually or in small numbers, just a problem to be investigated. What I mean is, don't over react and go chasing all sorts of remedies that may cause more harm if it is not an outbreak or epidemic (I had piles of them all over the tank about ten years ago--that was an epidemic). I would siphon all I see and look for likely causes for them. If you see them increasing or multiplying, then look into remedies or treatments.

Great advice.

 

[hobbzz]

So anyone know if these are some of the bad ones? Haven't been able to find any sites with a good list with pictures.

 

[pinnatus]

Looks like the standard red flatworm to me. They really don't do any harm, but as said above can reach plague proportions. If you have enough of them, they can irritate corals. If you use flatworm exit, realize that when they die they emit a small amount of poison. If you have many, that can really mess up your tank. And for every one you can see, there are a lot you can't see. I lost half my tank when I tried to get rid of them using flatworm exit, despite having a 30% water change and carbon on-hand. There were just too many, and the poison was overwhelming.

Also, some fish will eat them, like some wrasses. But that can be hit or miss.

 

[hobbzz]

Ok thanks.

 

[SushiGirl]

Flatworms and Other "Bugs" That Make You See Red

 

[namxas]

What you have there is an Acoel sp. flatworm...as mentioned, they can multiply, but other than looking unsightly, generally don't do much harm. They feed on algae, detritus, and copepods.

 

[hobbzz]

Thanks guys. Feeding on pods is not good, trying to build up the population to house a mandarin.

 

[ReeferKimberly]

Along with the mentioned wrasses a Springer's Damsel eats flatworms.

 

[Wolverine]

Along with the mentioned wrasses a Springer's Damsel sometimes eats flatworms.

ftfy
IME, there is not surefire fish for flatworms.