what is this small white flat worm like thing?
- Thread starter Reef Bass
- Start date
Reef Bass
colors and textures
You're welcome. Part of the club thing is sharing knowledge and experience.
I think it's safe to say that my original critter was a flatworm, species undetermined.
Flatworms are an impressive group of creatures. There are more than 20,000 species, roughly half of which are parasitic (including the tapeworm that infests human intestines) and the rest predominately predatory. A number of species are quite beautiful resembling brightly colored nudibranchs without the frilly gill appendages (flatworms have no organized circulatory or respiratory systems - all gas exchange occurs through the outer membrane of the animal by diffusion).
Without flatworms, humans wouldn't be here. Flatworms are our evolutionary ancestors.
Flatworms were the first to develop bilateral symmetry (a left and right, body structure mirrored down the center of the animal). That's right folks, all bilaterally symmetric animals (including humans) descended from flatworms millions of years ago.
Flatworms also pioneered three layers of germinal tissue (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) which are still part of human embryonic development. Roughly put each of those layers gives rise to different parts of us. The endoderm forms our digestive and respiratory system, mesoderm bones and organs, ectoderm our nervous system and skin.
So respect the flatworm. And kill the ones which consume Acropora.
I think it's safe to say that my original critter was a flatworm, species undetermined.
Flatworms are an impressive group of creatures. There are more than 20,000 species, roughly half of which are parasitic (including the tapeworm that infests human intestines) and the rest predominately predatory. A number of species are quite beautiful resembling brightly colored nudibranchs without the frilly gill appendages (flatworms have no organized circulatory or respiratory systems - all gas exchange occurs through the outer membrane of the animal by diffusion).
Without flatworms, humans wouldn't be here. Flatworms are our evolutionary ancestors.
Flatworms were the first to develop bilateral symmetry (a left and right, body structure mirrored down the center of the animal). That's right folks, all bilaterally symmetric animals (including humans) descended from flatworms millions of years ago.
Flatworms also pioneered three layers of germinal tissue (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) which are still part of human embryonic development. Roughly put each of those layers gives rise to different parts of us. The endoderm forms our digestive and respiratory system, mesoderm bones and organs, ectoderm our nervous system and skin.
So respect the flatworm. And kill the ones which consume Acropora.
Fail_sh3d
New member
Has anyone else had anything similar to these? I have been finding these at random on occasion.
I had a battle with AEFW that I believe to have taken care of, but found these on my tank glass.
I don't think they have an interest in the corals as I have dipped multiple times and never found one of this type on any of my SPS.
I would have taken pics but I don't have a camera with the capabilities og capturing something so small.
I had a battle with AEFW that I believe to have taken care of, but found these on my tank glass.
I don't think they have an interest in the corals as I have dipped multiple times and never found one of this type on any of my SPS.
I would have taken pics but I don't have a camera with the capabilities og capturing something so small.
northbay-reefer
New member
Ken, I don't think it's AEFW it's more like a mollusk eating flat worm. That is just a baby it will get pretty big. Did you loose some clams and snails recently?
northbay-reefer
New member
Flatworm exit only tickle them and I don't know what will work on them.
northbay-reefer
New member
they hidden under rocks and only come out at night. You might find them on your glass early in the morning or late at night sometime.
cali9dub
Member
I saw 2 so far in my tank. Both on separate occasions, both on the glass and both in the middle of the day. I have acros as well as a clam. Haven't seen any ill effects on either. My tank has been up and running for about 9 years now and this is the first I've ever seen them. The only addition to my tank in the past year has been an anemone porcelain crab?? I can't get any info as to what this is either. My blue hippo tang did, however, pluck it off the glass and eat it so they must not taste too bad.
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