What eats flatworms?
- Thread starter RLMainers
- Start date
bosborn1
In Memoriam
Its hit or miss but my Sixline seems to help keep them down. I prefer a multilateral approach. I use a Sixline Wrasse and I keep a siphon tube next to the tank. Every now and again I will see one or two on the glass. At that time I remove them myself. Between my and the Sixline we've got the Flatworms in check.
If your really concerned once you get the flatworm level down you can add a flatworm remover to the tank. Make sure you get rid of most of them before you dose. If theres a lot of them that die off at the same time you risk releasing toxins into the tank.
Also the very best predater from what I hear is the Blue Velvet Nudibranch. Forom what I have been told they will completely erradicate any infestation of flatworms.
Scott
If your really concerned once you get the flatworm level down you can add a flatworm remover to the tank. Make sure you get rid of most of them before you dose. If theres a lot of them that die off at the same time you risk releasing toxins into the tank.
Also the very best predater from what I hear is the Blue Velvet Nudibranch. Forom what I have been told they will completely erradicate any infestation of flatworms.
Scott
marrone
New member
I siphon mine out every time I did a water change. What I did was instead of doing my normally 20% water change in one day I did 10% one day and 10% the next. This let more of them come out from hiding and I was able to get more out of the tank, also do it when the lights are fully on as they like the light. I got most of them out and then added a Twin spot wrasse which finished all of the rest off.
I try a Blue Velvet Nudibranch but it didn't eat that many and eventually died. I don't think they have a long life span anyway.
I try a Blue Velvet Nudibranch but it didn't eat that many and eventually died. I don't think they have a long life span anyway.
Wolverine
Premium Member
Actually, the biggest problem with them is that they usually don't completely eradicate the pests. They'll get most of them, and then starve before they can find the last few hiding somewhere. After the nudibranch dies, two things happen, one is that those few remaining flatworms reproduce and get you right back where you started, which is discouraging enough. The other problem is that those nudibranchs concentrate the flatworms toxins, and so when they die, all of that is released back into the water, which can wipe out your tank.
Dave
Wolverine
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7045152#post7045152 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by marrone
Here's a link with some info and pictures:
Flatworms
The picture on the right is a harmless flatworm. It's the one with three-prongs at the back that are colored reddish-tan that you worry about (like in the left picture).
Dave
graveyardworm
Premium Member
I have a clown goby which seems to enjoy a toxic snack every now and then, but not enough to keep them in check. So I do as marrone said more frequent smaller water change and siphon them out at the same time. I tried the Chelidonura Varians with little success, and in a week it disappeared. FWE seems to do harm to more than just flatworms so I no longer trust it in my display, it is good for use in a QT.
graveyardworm
Premium Member
Not only do you need to be concerned about the toxins released from the flatworms but the FWE if overdosed ( which most people seem to have to resort to) seems to mess with bristleworms, and pod populations not to mention unsubstantiated harm it may cause to fishes like disease, shortened lifespan, infertility, etc..
No strange chemicals for me and my tanks, I'll live with the flatworms first. Plus they must be doing something important to be so abundant.
No strange chemicals for me and my tanks, I'll live with the flatworms first. Plus they must be doing something important to be so abundant.
Wolverine
Premium Member
A guy I knew in Omaha lost a 3000g reef to a flatworm population crash. He never rejoined the hobby after that. He's my inspiration for keeping them out of my tank.
Everyone I've personally talked to who has used FWE and had problems has admitted to not following the directions to the letter. I think most people either don't run carbon quickly enough after the worms start dying, or they skip over the syphoning steps (before and after starting treatment). Many people will pretreat new additions to the tank with doses that are 16-20X the normal dose, with no apparent ill effects. I feel that most of the problems come from flatworm toxin, and not from the FWE itself.
Dave
graveyardworm
Premium Member
