Flat worms

[James7733]

Hi folks

Does anyone know if flat worms are harmful to corals and or anemones.

Thanks

 

[Sctip]

They can be it depends on which ones you get, there are red flatworms that will not eat your corals. They can however smother your corals if you allow them to get to bad. I am dealing with these right now in one of my tanks.

 

[James7733]

They can be it depends on which ones you get, there are red flatworms that will not eat your corals. They can however smother your corals if you allow them to get to bad. I am dealing with these right now in one of my tanks.

Hmm these were brownish or at least they seemed to be. I suppose best play it safe and remove them.

Thanks for the response and good luck with the red worms removal !!!!

 

[Sctip]

Those are what I have and I haven't removed them in a few days. We also bought a yellow wrasse to help with removal of those we cannot reach. It's a long process to get them out.

 

[Tahoe61]

^Those appear to be Red Planaria, rapid reproducers unfortunately.

 

[Diesel]

Picture will tell a 1000 words.
If they are AEFW than I don't see any other option than remove all SPS from the tank and treat them for at least 8 weeks with Bayer in a frag tank.
Any other flatworm can be treated in the tank, with fish like Wrasses or Flatworm exit.
IMO show us some pics and we can identify what we dealing with.

 

[Diesel]

Yep, red planeria.
Reduce your photoperiod as they like light a lot and add a Melanurus wrasse maybe a leopard wrasse and ruby red scooters will eat them too.
You can kill them with Flatworm exit but when they die they will release a toxin in your water that can kill fish and corals.
When using flatworm exit run a carbon reactor 30 min after you treat them for 24 hour or longer.

 

[Sctip]

We have reduced the photoperiod added a yellow wrasse and assist him in manual removal with an air hose. Flatworm x is my last choice as its in a small tank. We may do a scooter if the wrasse cannot make a dent.

 

[Naiad]

Depending on your other inhabitants you can also "borrow" a six line wrasse. They will solve the problem but are jerks so will likely not be a good long-term citizen if you have really peaceful fish