How should I treat my Flatworm problem?

Discussion in 'Diseases' started by Zimmy71, Oct 18, 2010.

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  1. Zimmy71

    Zimmy71 Bristle Worm

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    Tonight I noticed something white and thin on my glass and it looked nothing like a snail. I proceeded to look at my sick mushrooms to find out they were covered with the same white thing as well as my frogspawn, candy cane, and duncans. Come to find out that I have flat worms and have spent the whole night siphoning them out. I must have siphoned 50 or so out of which I could see. What are my best options for taking care of this problem? I just purchased a six line wrasse last week (before I noticed the problem) and he seems like he has no interest in picking at them. I have read about flatworm exit but am concerned about my feather duster who just got its feathers back and my sick mushrooms.
     
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  3. oceanparadise1

    oceanparadise1 Fire Squid

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  4. yamaharider73

    yamaharider73 Kole Tang

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    Are you sure what you are looking at is flatworms? I havent seen white flatworms. here is a picture of what I know a flat worm looks like. My 6 line didnt touch them. siphon them out and used flatworm exit. as you see them dying keep siphoning and follow directions on the box.

    flatworm.jpg
     
  5. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

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    The good news is the white ones are not toxic like the red ones are. The bad new is they they tend to be the coral eating variety more than not.

    Flatworm eXit.

    You have already got a head start on it by siphoning out all you see. Do this for a couple days, and then treat the tank.
     
  6. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Flatworm populations can explode quickly. I have used flatworm exit in the past with good results after 2 treatments.

    You are probably only seeing a small precentage of the total amount of FW.

    Suction out as many as you can prior to treatment. I would house the feather duster in another container with display tank water until after the treatment and the water changes that should follow treatment. Inverts can take a hit during treatment but most recover.

    Anticpate doing some decent size water changes and running carbon afterwards.

    Some fish such as varies wrasses and some damsel will eat FW but it is hit and miss. Sometimes not feeding the fish for a couple of days will promote the fishe's desire to eat FW.
     
  7. APC

    APC Gigas Clam

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    I have had a lot of luck with flat worm exit in my reef. Would use it again for sure
     
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  9. mikejrice

    mikejrice 3reef Affiliate

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    Flat worm exit for sure. If that's not an option though, you might look into a flatworm eating nudibranch. In the mean time I would also cut back on feeding as much as possible. This will limit nutrients and possibly get your sixline to start eating them.
     
  10. Zimmy71

    Zimmy71 Bristle Worm

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    Tonight I only sucked out 3 more fw. My mushrooms are looking alot better than the past month alone. But I think I am going to do a fw dip for the mushrooms and all softies and on Friday use the fw exit. If I am running carbon already do I need to exchange my old carbon out for new?