bug ID help

[JNY]

I was taking a close look at my Riddler chalice tonight and noticed some slightly darker spots on the surface; I figured it was just random sand/detrius that accumulated so, I took out my trusty turkey baster and gave it a squirt... it moved... or rather, slithered just outside the blast radius...I did it again, same thing! (insert filthy language here)

I was able to catch two, yet one propelled away in the water column (another cuss inserted here). Unfortunately, I don't have a macro lens to photo the two I caught, but they look like a semi-transparent flatworm with a pronged tail; they seem to prefer slithering across surfaces, but can propel themselves (sort of like a copepod would) with that pronged appendage, etc.

Anyone have an idea of what they might be, treatment, etc?

 

[NeosNano]

hope this helps...Flatworms

 

[NanoNano]

Did it look like this?

or this?

I had a ton of them in my display not long after I started up and I got a little 6 line wrasse and they were eradicated within a few weeks.

 

[Troylee]

sounds like flat worms.... while they are a annoyance, they wouldn't kill the coral or anything.... the only problem they cause is blocking the light when they get to plague portions.....:(

 

[JNY]

Thanks NeosNano, NanoNano and troylee for the responses.

NanoNano- that looks like them!

troylee- would a Mystery Wrasse serve the same function? I just picked one up last week... (I had a sixline a while back and it always had murderous intent toward any of my other wrasses, particularly my Rhomboids.)

 

[NanoNano]

I don't know if Mystery Wrasses like them like 6 Lines do. Yeah 6 lines can be abrasive for sure. Does your mystery wrasse "pick feed?" for lack of a better term. My 6 line picked at LR and sand and frag plugs, etc. all day long. I actually saw him picking flatworms off the glass. Watch your wrasse and see if he shows any interest.

You certainly don't want to let the flatworm population get out of control. They multiply really freaking fast. And are a pain to get rid if in large quantities.

 

[Troylee]

Not sure since I have never had to really deal with them... There is always flat worm exit that does work for them, if it's bad... I would say a yellow corris would prolly do the trick... Mine is always hunting an picking on stuff... Also got a pseudo chromis "neon dotty back" he is always hunting... I know he eats bristle worms lol...