Tiny, tiny clear flatworms

[KUDA]

The largest one is probably 1/16 inch long. There are about 25 on the front wall on my sump. Is it possible that they are scavengers? There are no snails in the fuge. There are tons of pods in the fuge though. Is it possible that they are feeding on pods? One approached a pod and kinda jumped on it, then the pod moved and it fell off. Any help appreciated.

 

[LeslieH]

These are acoel flatworms. The snail eaters are polyclad flatworms (but not all polyclads eat snails). These small acoels are micrograzers and/or microcarnivores so they might be eating your very smallest pods. Nothing to worry about.

 

[KUDA]

Thanks! They also provide food for my scooter blenny.

 

[GreenPuffers]

My mandarin loves those things!

 

[1F2FRFBF]

Do these kinds of flatworms ever hitch rides on fish?

 

[LeslieH]

You'd be surprised at what hitches on fish. I've seen pictures of nudis, crabs, worms, pods, snails, ophiuroids, etc., crawling on fish.

 

[1F2FRFBF]

OK. My purple firefish has had a few flatworm-looking things riding on him every so often. They are small and clear just as was described here. My first horrified thought was cirolanid isopods, but the characteristics didn't match up.

You've helped put my mind more at ease, Leslie - thanks.