Flatworms

[jake760]

I have 2 reef tanks one is newer but both have these small brown flatworms in them. I notice them on the glass and on the rock work. I have flatworm exit but don’t want to have any adverse effects. What would be the best way to get rid of them or are they harmless and I don’t need to worry about them? Thank you

 

[Baldyreef]

how old/big is the tank?
wrasses like yellow coris, melanarus, six line, and leopard wrasses are flatworm eaters as well as dragonets and even peppermint shrimp

 

[jake760]

One is a Fluval evo 13.5 that’s been up for almost a year and this one is a 25 lagoon that’s been up for a couple months

 

[Baldyreef]

One is a Fluval evo 13.5 that’s been up for almost a year and this one is a 25 lagoon that’s been up for a couple months

a six line could be a flatworm eater for the 25 lagoon temporarily, or peppermint shrimp for both, if you go peppermint shrimp route make sure it isn't the look alike camelback shrimp

 

[jake760]

a six line could be a flatworm eater for the 25 lagoon temporarily, or peppermint shrimp for both, if you go peppermint shrimp route make sure it isn't the look alike camelback shrimp

Yeah maybe I could go with a temporary six line. Any experience with flatworm exit?

 

[Baldyreef]

Yeah maybe I could go with a temporary six line. Any experience with flatworm exit?

its worked pretty good for me with no side effects on fish/coral or inverts, although I must say if you use flatworm exit it does kill them all pretty fast and depending on the severity of your infestation all of them dying at once will release a lot of toxins (they emit toxins upon death) so I would run carbon 15-30 minutes after the medication (only if there is a large infestation)

 

[exnisstech]

I've used flat worm exit a few times with no ill effects. Last time in a 40g I accidentally overdosed and even killed bristle worms. The few easy coral and fish seemed fine.

 

[jake760]

Got it sounds like I’ll use flatworm exit in my newer tank that doesn’t have many corals and throw a small bag of carbon in there. I’m assuming a pretty big water change a few days later correct? Did you guys have to dose multiple times since it doesn’t kill the eggs?