Flatworm Help

[thbrewst]

Noticed these little red dots on one of my corals so I researched and am 90% sure they are

>Red Planaria</a>. I could see maybe 10 or so on the coral itself so I went ahead and did a ~30 second freshwater dip. It worked, but more like 50 or so ended up in the bowl of water. YIKES!!

So, Does that likely mean that there are many more in my tank that I can't see? If so, should I wait for some sign before considering a something like Flatworm Exit? Or should I go ahead and dose? I do not have any of the predators of FW's in my tank so if they are there then nothing is going to suppress them.

After about 6 months in the hobby this is my first real issue (that I am aware of )

 

[cr500_af]

Yes, there are far more in there than you've seen. As for FWE or the like... you have to weigh your risks and pick your poison. Some have had success, others have had crashes. If you decide to do it, then follow the directions, have plenty of carbon ready and do NOT skimp on the water change.

 

[thbrewst]

how can I know if they are there if I can't see any? Is there a way to 'bait' them to see?

 

[glxtrix]

There are some wrasses that eat flatworms. I love my 6 line...people would bring rocks over my place so my 6 line could have a "special dinner"

 

[cr500_af]

thbrewst;596482 wrote: how can I know if they are there if I can't see any? Is there a way to 'bait' them to see?

I don't know of a way to bait them, but if you take one rock out and dip it in RO water for a couple of seconds, you'll see.

IMO all wrasses are hit and miss. 6 line and melanaurus have a pretty good track record but I've seen both of them ignore FWs completely (even after being hungry for a few days).

 

[thbrewst]

I have been thinking about getting a wrasse anyway, but don't have a top built for my tank yet so that is not an option, short term.

I don't really want to add chemicals to my tank if I am not sure of the severity so I think I will hold off and see if more of them show-up. Once I start seeing them I will reassess.

Oh, and before everyone thinks I am lazy for not just building the tops I have a broken arm that I am recovering from and a bowfront tank so there is bending involved that I won't be able to do for at least another 6 weeks.

 

[thbrewst]

cr500_af;596493 wrote: I don't know of a way to bait them, but if you take one rock out and dip it in RO water for a couple of seconds, you'll see.

IMO all wrasses are hit and miss. 6 line and melanaurus have a pretty good track record but I've seen both of them ignore FWs completely (even after being hungry for a few days).

Valid point, I think there are a couple of rocks that I can pull out without having to move any coral. I'll give it a try tomorrow and see what happens.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[cr500_af]

Keep in mind that if you wait and see, the population will be gradually increasing (unless you can get your nutrient levels way down). The higher the population, the higher the risk if you decide to use FWE. This is because it isn't the FWE that you have to be worried about, it is the toxin from the dying flatworms. The greater the numbers that you zap, the more crud they release into your tank (hence the huge importance of carbon and water changes afterward).

 

[chrishet]

+1 on the RO dip...those suckers explode when they hit fresh water and it should not hurt your corals. I had a bad FW problem years ago and did just this and afterwards added a six line....never saw them again. Good luck!

 

[basscyn]

Assuming you have caught it early, I would highly recomend treating with Flatworm Exit immediatley. If you suspect that you may have a heavy infestation and have the means to move the fish out for the treatment, I would do so. As already stated, the problem is not the ones you can see...its the ones you <u>cant</u> see.

I have a 6 line wrasse that never touched them.
Bought a melanarus wrass that wouldnt touch them either.
My 6 line ended up killing the melanarus anyway.

My personal experience...and nightmare :sad:
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49266">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49266</a>

Some of my corals [B]<u>still</u>[/B] have not recovered completely from this.
Flatworm toxin is bad bad news.

Like most any problem though, early detection and action improve chances of success.

Keep us posted!

 

[nanonano]

6 line wrasse 4tw.

I got one and the Flat worms were gone in a week.

 

[glxtrix]

6 lines are also "less prone" to jumping. Doesn't mean they wont (as with any fish) but good to know.

 

[brianjfinn]

BASSCYN;596545 wrote: Assuming you have caught it early, I would highly recomend treating with Flatworm Exit immediatley. If you suspect that you may have a heavy infestation and have the means to move the fish out for the treatment, I would do so. As already stated, the problem is not the ones you can see...its the ones you <u>cant</u> see.

I have a 6 line wrasse that never touched them.
Bought a melanarus wrass that wouldnt touch them either.
My 6 line ended up killing the melanarus anyway.

My personal experience...and nightmare :sad:
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49266">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=49266</a>

Some of my corals [B]<u>still</u>[/B] have not recovered completely from this.
Flatworm toxin is bad bad news.

Like most any problem though, early detection and action improve chances of success.

Keep us posted![/QUOTE]

Personally, my risk-averse personality causes me to disagree here. I think there may be too much risk in killing too many flat worms at once. I'd rather try my hand at different wrasses. A mandarin (only if your tank is established enough!!) could be a possibility as well. I've seen cases where they eradicate entire populations of flat worms.

Here's some food for thought:

[IMG]http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51554">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51554</a>

 

[glxtrix]

My mode of thinking, stay away from chemicals if you can. 6 lines are cheap, typically eat them and in the end, you have a great addition to your tank....as well as a great pest predator!

 

[rtackett]

I just through this with my tank this last week. I siphoned as many as I could with airline tubing. I ended up using flatworm exit since I could not remove the corals to dip. I used heavy carbon and continued siphoning off the worms for the next few hrs after the flatworm exit. Also did a 25% water change. That greatly reduced the population. I added a coris wrasse and a scotter blenny and everything seems good. In a larger tank I would add a melanus wrasse - I think this is Rit's featured fish currently. The main thing if you use flatworm exit is the concern with the toxins from the dying worms. I believe you have to use carbon and a water change. The carbon needs to be started as soon as you see the worms dying.

 

[basscyn]

glxtrix;596591 wrote: My mode of thinking, stay away from chemicals if you can. 6 lines are cheap, typically eat them and in the end, you have a great addition to your tank....as well as a great pest predator!

This was my initial thought as well. I was very hesitant to use any chemicals but in the end was left with no choice. I already had a 6 line but FW's were not on his menu. I looked long and hard for a melanarus (while the FW's continued to multiply). Finally found one. Really beautiful fish but did not eat them either.
If you can find a wrasse that will eat them that is obviously the best remedy.
Just don't wait too long.

 

[basscyn]

brianjfinn;596575 wrote: Personally, my risk-averse personality causes me to disagree here. I think there may be too much risk in killing too many flat worms at once. I'd rather try my hand at different wrasses. A mandarin (only if your tank is established enough!!) could be a possibility as well. I've seen cases where they eradicate entire populations of flat worms.

Here's some food for thought:

http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51554">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=51554</a>[/QUOTE]


Agreed!
Hopefully he can find a wrasse that loves them.

 

[hhughes]

I got a melanarus wrasse. They were gone in a week. Plus he has such personality

 

[brianjfinn]

BASSCYN;596612 wrote: This was my initial thought as well. I was very hesitant to use any chemicals but in the end was left with no choice. I already had a 6 line but FW's were not on his menu. I looked long and hard for a melanarus (while the FW's continued to multiply). Finally found one. Really beautiful fish but did not eat them either.
If you can find a wrasse that will eat them that is obviously the best remedy.
Just don't wait too long.

So you went through two fish and neither ate the worms? That sucks!

 

[basscyn]

hhughes;596621 wrote: I got a melanarus wrasse. They were gone in a week. Plus he has such personality

Yeah, I was really excited to find a melanarus. The FW's were a great excuse to buy one. Really beautiful fish. My 6 line is scared of his own shadow. I had no idea he would be sooo agressive toward another wrasse.
Actually if given a chance he may <u>have</u> eaten flatworms. He didnt last very long though.