Flatworms...

[Richard the Reefer]

My 40 is going through the cycle currently and I have 4 hitchhikers from the live rock. Feather dusters, a oyster looking thing, copapods, and flatworms. I got lucky to notice the flatworm, but I want them out before this tank is ready to stock. What would this awesome community suggest that would eradicate the flat worms but not harm my other hitchhikers?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Do you know what kind of flatworm it is? Pics would be awesome too :)

 

[Richard the Reefer]

Do you know what kind of flatworm it is? Pics would be awesome too :)

It escaped to the sand before I could grab my phone. It had a dual tail. Like in this picture

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Some wrasses and other fish will eat flatworms, I've also seen my hermit crabs eat them. There is Flatworm Exit but I don't think one confirmed flatworm warrants using that and potentially creating other problems in your young tank. If you see it again, just reach in and grab it or use a turkey baster to suck it up.

 

[Richard the Reefer]

Some wrasses and other fish will eat flatworms, I've also seen my hermit crabs eat them. There is Flatworm Exit but I don't think one confirmed flatworm warrants using that and potentially creating other problems in your young tank. If you see it again, just reach in and grab it or use a turkey baster to suck it up.

Yeah I know I likely dont have any infestation but like I said I'd like to rid of them before the end of the cycle...

 

[KIRBLIT]

Use Flatworm exit now so you don't have to worry about them later. Just follow the directions and still do the water change after the treatments even if you don't have livestock.

 

[Richard the Reefer]

Use Flatworm exit now so you don't have to worry about them later. Just follow the directions and still do the water change after the treatments even if you don't have livestock.

Will that effect the cycle? I feel it will but if I time it right I can do this at the time where I would normally do the first water change before the stocking! Thanks for the heads up!

 

[KIRBLIT]

Will that effect the cycle? I feel it will but if I time it right I can do this at the time where I would normally do the first water change before the stocking! Thanks for the heads up!

I honestly doubt it. Flatworm do release a toxin when they die but it doesn't sound like you have many in there so I don't forsee a problem. I don't believe that toxin would be of much concern in interrupting the bacteria cycling the tank anyway. Eventually you will have to deal with the problem one way or another. It's better to get it done now when you don't have any livestock present.