Flat Worms (I'm Pulling My Hair Out)

ive seen my yellow tang pick them off the glass. He spat them out but one of my sebeas cleaned them up. If i could get them to tag team like that all the time there would be no problem. I only have a few right now. Are they like an iceberg? in that 2/3rds are below the surface?

 

If nutrient levels in the tank are kept at a minimum, you should not have to worry about the population of flatworms getting out of control. Heck, I've seen the healthiest tanks contain a few flatworms with no problems. It's when there's too much food in the system for them that it becomes a problem .

 

What exactly is a flatworm and what harm can they do to a reef tank? I have noticed a few 1mm square looking brown inverts on the glass of my fuge. Is this what they are?

 

If your tank is nutrient laden, flatworm populations can expand rapidly. Here's a picture of them covering a coral.

 

yea, that's what I have seen in the fuge. I only see about 10 or so so I guess I'm OK. About a week ago I saw them all over after putting in some new calupra. Guess they are dissapearing? I also have a UV from fuge to main so that maybe why I don't see them there. Thanks for the pic.

 

They don't do any direct harm to corals, however, in plague proportions, they can cover a coral enough to block it completely from the light killing it indirectly. They also release toxins into your water when they die.

 

I have used flatworm exit as well, and it is great. It does an awesome job, with no bad side effects. I would highly reccommend it. Just make sure you follow the directions, and do the water changes as directed.

 

I have a flatworm problem starting. I'm pretty sure I'm feeding more than I should. I only have a maroon clown and a royal gramma. Is it necessary to feed them everyday?
Has anyone had any luck with any natural flatworm predators? I read something about nudibranchs taking care of them, but I wouldn't know where to try buying a nudibranch.
Guess I'll break out the turkey baster and suck the li'l buggers out best I can.

 

You do what you want But if it where me I'd treat the tank asap with Flatworm exit nd get them before they grow to large in numbers. Also there is a new product about to hit the market from a Japanese Co in con junction with ORA is Fl. they have been doing the studies on it to determine its safety it seem to be just fine. But the problem with the flatworms are that people mess around with trying to siphon them out and control them in other-ways and they never deem to be able to .

Then at some point its useless and then to treat the tank is next to impossible because the numbers are to large and the toxins they release upon their mass death can't easily be controlled with Carbon..

 

Would it make sense to move my corals (I've only got a few small frags) to a quarantine tank for some amount of time after I dose the tank?