Flatworms?

shackscs · #1 11/18/2007, 10:22 PM

I had the light off on my tank for a couple of days and today when I turned it on, it was infested with these things all over everything. I am guessing since they are flat and scurry away like a worm when touched they are flatworms.

What I am confused by is how they could have infested my tank as they did when I look at this tank every day.

What kills them and is it easy to get rid of them? I flicked one off and one of my black clown fish ate it. Is this a bad thing?

barclayrl · #2 11/18/2007, 10:30 PM

I bought a six line wrase and he ate up all but a few.. Also Salifert makes flatworm exit is supposed to work, but the instructions have to be followed to the "T"

Hope this helps

Misled · #3 11/18/2007, 10:32 PM

Flat worm exit. Do a search here. Follow the directions.

Steffish · #4 11/18/2007, 10:34 PM

I had flatworms and it is amazing how fast they multiply! Do Flatworm Exit - as Misled said "follow the directions"

Brewen · #5 11/18/2007, 10:35 PM

I had problems with them. Bought a sweet Leopard Wrase have been 1.5 years free of them.

shackscs · #6 11/18/2007, 10:36 PM

Will my black clown be ok after eating one of these?

Misled · #7 11/18/2007, 10:42 PM

The clown will be fine.

reefD · #8 11/18/2007, 11:21 PM

i remember some of my club friends using some vet pill for cats and dogs that fights parasites like worms or something. heart worm pill maybe> i dont remember,,,,naybe someone will chime in on this. it was effective and cheaper

reefD · #9 11/18/2007, 11:34 PM

flatworms are hitchhikers on rock...mainly corals. they reproduce by fission or budding. conditions do play a part. water quality, lighting, all can be a factor.

first question i ask...why did u leave ur lights off for a few days?

shackscs · #10 11/19/2007, 12:15 AM

It was actually since yesterday. I did not turn them on today since I was busy with some other things. I picked up a few timers so this will not longer be an issue.

I have since siphon a good deal of them out of the tank while doing my normal 30% water change.

I am going to pick a 6 line wrasse tomorrow from LFS.

Here is my baby (It is actually in the baby's room)

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reefD · #11 11/19/2007, 12:43 AM

yeah syphone them out best u can . six line isnt a garentee eater of flat worms. there is a nudibrach that does eat them for sure. u never saw any before the other day. they couldnt have just appeared...how about recent additions like rock or corals.?

shackscs · #12 11/19/2007, 07:50 PM

Well I did add a couple of things last week. It possible that they were there but because the lights were on more often they were not out.

I checked today when I got home and there are still more in the tank. I picked up a wrasse to start the work on the problem.

reefD · #13 11/20/2007, 02:14 AM

yeah what every u added was the source ...its surprizing how many can hitchike in...anyways KEEP syphoning them. and try to id the exact flat worm species u have. do a search. some are just red..some are light colored brown with red dots in center..etc...id will help give u a good plan of action.
good luck