Flatworms - All bad?

CastAway · Jul 6, 2014

About one week ago, I spotted a flatworm on my refugium glass. Today I can spot half a dozen maybe. System is 115 days old.

Are flatworms always bad? Should I treat and try to get rid of them? Will Salifert Flatworm Exit hurt anything else I have in my tank, zoas, sps or lps?

Trying not to panic. Please help.

Tahoe61 · Jul 6, 2014

No not all FW are bad. If they are red or brown in color than you should be concerned.

Amphiscolops a clear FW with a split tail is often found in sumps and is harmless.

The 1st step is an ID.

LionfishLair.com - Hitchhiker Guide to your Aquarium

Pete polyp · Jul 6, 2014

I have had some pop up recently in my tank also. I'm not sure if they're bad or not, but I plan to use fwe soon to get rid of them.

CastAway · Jul 6, 2014

Excellent site. Thanks. My guess is Acole, and hopefully harmless. Agree?

CastAway · Jul 6, 2014

Check out the link Pete. Yours looks like a bad one...

Tahoe61 · Jul 6, 2014

Yes, you have a harmless variety. Population control is what you want to watch for. It's the Red Planara that can be the biggest problem.

I once had a moderate population problem with that variety. Pretty much any damsel will eat them though or wrasse. The trick is to not feed the fish for a day or two and then take a turkey baster and blow the FW off surfaces right in front of the fish, the fish gets the idea.