20+ year SPS tank under siege from red flatworms!

[pjr]

My SPS tank (135g, 6'x18x20) has been continuously running since 2005, approaching 22 years of age. It's been a successful tank for growing all sorts of sps, illuminated strictly under LEDs since 2009.

About 6 months ago I started to see an outbreak of red flat worms. This surprised me, since I have not had anything new to the tank in quite a while. I have been unsuccessful in trying to eliminate them; In reality, they are spreading prolifically.

I tried adding a wrasse, who jumped, and I added a green dragonet 2 months ago, but he's not making a dent.

I am hoping that someone would have useful solutions in this battle. Right now I am losing the war!

 

[FishyHotel]

That super sucks, sorry that is happening to you.

I had some flatworms in a tank and once I added a blue damselfish they disappeared. I haven’t had any problems with its behavior, which I have read can be trying. I don’t have any SPS so it may not be applicable, but I was pleasantly surprised when the damsel at all of my flatworms.

 

[DIYreefer]

IME, yellow tail damsels will decimate these guys.

 

[Chessmanmark]

Get some Flatworm Exit and double the recommended dosage.

Of all the pests that you can get this one is the easiest to take care of.

 

[AviR]

Get some Flatworm Exit and double the recommended dosage.

Of all the pests that you can get this one is the easiest to take care of.

Many people here myself included have killed their fish doing this treatment, even with adequate oxygenation and dosing. And the problem wasn’t even solved for me

 

[DIYreefer]

Get some Flatworm Exit and double the recommended dosage.

Of all the pests that you can get this one is the easiest to take care of.

One of the easiest? Yes, but nuking them all at once could very well crash the entire system.

Op, while this advice is technically correct, I would proceed with extreme caution if you go this route. If the infestation is as bad as you’ve described, killing them all at once with flatworm exit is most likely going to be very hard on your tank. When these little guys die they release a toxin that is quite potent. Ask me how I know :(

If it were my tank, I would add a few yellowtail damsels and let them get to work. It won’t happen overnight, but they will solve your problem.

 

[vetteguy53081]

My SPS tank (135g, 6'x18x20) has been continuously running since 2005, approaching 22 years of age. It's been a successful tank for growing all sorts of sps, illuminated strictly under LEDs since 2009.

About 6 months ago I started to see an outbreak of red flat worms. This surprised me, since I have not had anything new to the tank in quite a while. I have been unsuccessful in trying to eliminate them; In reality, they are spreading prolifically.

I tried adding a wrasse, who jumped, and I added a green dragonet 2 months ago, but he's not making a dent.

I am hoping that someone would have useful solutions in this battle. Right now I am losing the war!

I dont recommend unless a last resort, chemical treatment. Red planaria, in numbers can smother bases of coral and block the needed light for production of zooxanthellae which is their energy source.
Removal can be accomplished by siphoning them with a 3/8" tubing into a nylon stocking and discard
OR
Add a wrasse such as Yellow coris, 6 line, lunare or malanurus OR even a springieri damsel which will eat them

With the number you have, for the next 2 weeks you will have to look for eggs and scrape off as there is likely some and would be future acoels. Eggs are really tiny

 

[Chessmanmark]

I’ve used Flatworm Exit, as have many people in my reef club. Generally I don’t recommend chemical treatments but this one is effective. Do some water changes after the treatment and you will be fine. Not one person that I know personally, not an Internet contact, has had a problem or I wouldn’t recommend it.