parasites... help.

[bourbeaue]

I bought two CB yellow SH last weekend. I put them in a small well established tank that had two firefish for a bout a year. I had noticed in the tank some small brown objects mutliplying over the past six months. I thought they were some sort of micro plant. I realize now they are some sort of small leach or parasite. They do not bother my fish, but several have transferred to my SH as they are also on the plants the SH attach to. I am unsure what to do. I imagine getting the SH out of there is a good start. Should I try to remove the parasites from the SH one by one using tweezers ? How do you recommend I proceed ?I have a set up another tank last night with some live sand from my main display ans a piece of LR. Should I move the SH there ? I am worried about cycling though... help...

 

[CCall]

If its bothering the seahorses; I would do a fresh water dip.

I wouldn't move any of the live rock yet. The other seahorse keepers will let you know what to do next.

 

[Rays]

Without a real decent description, it sounds like flatworms. They won't hurt the horses or fish, but they are very unsightly and breed worse than rabbits. Do they look like these?
http://www.reefland.com/rho/0905/images/flatworm1.jpg

 

[bourbeaue]

YES !!! So they are flatworms ! They sort of look rectangular sometimes. Definitely the right color. I have a few on the glass. They are on the plants, tons on the live rock. Breed like crazy. So I don't have to worry if some get on the horses ? Great. Anything I can do to keep them in check ?

 

[Rays]

I only had them once, and I used Greenex, but that product is no longer available. What you want to do is get a product called Flatworm Exit, there may be other products out there that other members are familiar with. Follow the directions on the bottle, siphon as many FW's out as you can before administering the product. Add an airline while medicating, and continue to siphon as the FW's die, this is very important! Also have enough water available to do a couple of water changes. In the mean time siphon as many out as you can to keep them in check, until you're ready to treat.