Jump to content
SaltCritters.com

All flatworms bad?


Enyo

Recommended Posts

I just noticed today that I have flatworms all along the bottom of the glass near the sand, next to all my copepods. They are oval with a lyre-tail, brownish red color and I see about 1 every 3 inches or so along the pane.

 

Strange thing is, I haven't had corals in this tank for almost a year, only anemones.

 

Should I be freaking out? Wouldnt they be dead without a food source? Are they good?

 

Hmm....

Link to comment
I just noticed today that I have flatworms all along the bottom of the glass near the sand, next to all my copepods. They are oval with a lyre-tail, brownish red color and I see about 1 every 3 inches or so along the pane.

 

Strange thing is, I haven't had corals in this tank for almost a year, only anemones.

 

Should I be freaking out? Wouldnt they be dead without a food source? Are they good?

 

Hmm....

AEFW (acropora eating flatworms) are whitish in color...sounds like you have the common pest ones though, which are a rusty color. The main problem is that they will reproduce like crazy and smother corals. I've heard good things about flatworm exit but can't speak from experience...also pretty sure they don't like high flow or low nutrients.

Link to comment

I wouldn't worry to much unless they are starting to cover your corals. I have had them on my rocks and sand but they really never hurt anything as far as I can tell. Flatworm Exit kills some of them, but it doesn't seem to get them all. It can be dangerous to use too because the flatworms release toxins when they die. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully if you go that route.

Link to comment

if they are just regular little brown ones Ive never had a problem with them. Their population tends to wane and wax.

 

If they are these guys though,

2352050674_b4844df36e.jpg

they are the ones that tend to get out of control and start to smother things. I dont believe they actually eat coral however

Link to comment

i manually remove any flatworms whenever i see them. i've seen tanks taken over by them and its horrific. theres no such thing as a good flatworm.

Link to comment

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recommended Discussions

×
×
  • Create New...