Flatworms... HELP!

[RZ5T]

Just got some macro algae from a reefer buddy and noticed there are flatworms in my sump. My question is are there any fish that eat them? I know there is flatworm treatment I can add to the tank, but I really don't want to use a product. All help or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[spspirate]

I've heard wrasses will scarf them up. Maybe a big six-line or something. Can you describe the flat worms?

 

[RZ5T]

They're almost transparent with a light brown tint to them. No bigger than a couple millimeters.

 

[vedros74]

A yellow coris wrasse took care of my problems

 

[zwulfke]

Sounds like anoles a six line could help most of the time it's flatworm exit (nasty stuff) or leave them I had them in my sump never noticed them in the DT. Can you get a pic

 

[cloak]

Are the flatworms only in your sump or are they in the DT as well? I'm not a big fan of chemicals either, but the siphon pictured in the link below has worked wonders for me. If the flatworms are on the macro algae, a quick freshwater dip should cause them to fall off right quick.

http://www.melevsreef.com/flatworms.html

 

[FateX8]

You don't even need to dip in freshwater. Next time you do a water change, swish the macro in the water vigorously. They come off pretty easily.

 

[Tahoe61]

Even a hungry blue damsel will eat flatworms.

 

[jofost1216]

I wouldd ditch all the macro and syphon that sump out really good. I dont like taking any chances but also have expensive things in my tank.

 

[RZ5T]

Here's the best picture I could get.

 

[RZ5T]

I know that the flatworms don't hurt anything unless they overpopulate the tank and start crawling all over the corals. Was just wondering what fish have a bigger appetite for them.

 

[RZ5T]

I'm also not too concerned with eradicating them from my tank completely (chances of that are extremely slim anyways).

 

[knightnsd]

personally, I avoid the 4 or 6 line wrasses, very nasty temperament but other wrasses will consume them. In my first tank I had flatworms before I dipped things, a freshwater dip on soft corals destroys them, on chalices and other corals I lean toward coral dips and inspection of the coral. To get rid of them I tried 4 & 6 line wrasses but they are very aggressive toward any other wrasse Ive also used the flatworm exit but did a large water change to avoidthe toxin release into the tank and changed my socks daily till the water change, good info here http://www.melevsreef.com/node/651. I lean towards removing any unknowns in my tank just in case

 

[RZ5T]

I currently have a yellow coris and the lubbocki wrasse, but I'm leaning towards a mystery wrasse. Has anybody heard or experienced them with flatworms?

 

[maroun.c]

Looks like planaria, pretty harmless (as in not muncing on your corals) but they do reproduce pretty fast and fill up the tank. Can even cover soft corals and LPS to the point where they dont get any light.
I had a couple of nasty struggles with them in the past and when they are in the hundreds killing them is risky as they release a toxin when they die that can kill your fish.
Did you just get the macroalga? if yes then they haven't reached your tank yet most probably, I would treat the sump only.
Any fish can be hit or miss with those, mandarins sixlines, Halichoeres wrasses like Melanurus have been reported to eat those but its always hit or miss... Would suggest blowing a few in the water and seeing if the fish you get will eat them or not.