I traded some coral 20 min ago and it’s got flat worms

[Backreefing]

Like I wrote I did a trade . A bunch of xiena and macro alge for frogspawn and a acropora. Got it home and the frogspawn has obvious flat worms. 4 basted off . Should I trash this stuff? The acropora is a rainbow that’s browned out

 

[vetteguy53081]

I hope it is not in tank?
If not, dip and rinse in RO and see if they are still present. Next challenge will be any eggs.
Are these white/clear flatworms or red ones. If white/clear, a wrasse after dip will finish the cleanup for you/
Flatworm exit will stop them and also provide nutrients for the coral.

 

[andrewey]

I would pull the corals immediately before going any further (if they were placed in DT) This is one situation where I not only would dip, I would strongly suggest QT/observation until you know which flatworm you are dealing with.

Did you dip the corals? Did you inspect the base for eggs?

 

[Backreefing]

They’re sitting in a bucket i’m trying to decide to throw them in the trash where to risk it I thought replug them and dip them in bayer.
I do have a quarantine tank which is turned into a second tank I’m hesitant to even put them there

 

[vetteguy53081]

They’re sitting in a bucket i’m trying to decide to throw them in the trash where to risk it I thought replug them and dip them in bayer.
I do have a quarantine tank which is turned into a second tank I’m hesitant to even put them there

If the coral is salvageable and somewhat healthy, keep. If in poor shape- discard

 

[andrewey]

What color are they?

 

[Tamberav]

I would just dip them and put in the QT.

Many kinds eat algae and not corals. The algae eaters are small and clearish white and one can find them on the glass. Commonly they come in on macro but I suppose they would end up on a coral skeleton too since microalgae would grow there.

 

[Backreefing]

What color are they?

Brown with a fork tail

 

[ApoIsland]

Flat worms are a good excuse to get a cool leopard or coris wrasse. Could also just set the coral in a bucket until you can run to the store and grab some coral rx or whatever else is appropriate. Should be fine for a few days with a heater and power head. Considering you traded a bunch of garbage for two nice corals you are still way ahead.

 

[MoH]

I wouldn’t risk it if the trade was just for some Xenia and macros. If you decide to keep forsure dip QT if possible and switch out the plugs

 

[Backreefing]

Here’s a picture

 

[andrewey]

Since there aren't a ton of great macro photos of the various flatworms, check out this page: does it look like either of the darker flatworms? Unfortunately, this page is not comprehensive of the various flatworms encountered in the hobby.

Pest Free Reefkeeping III: The Flatworms

By Paul Whitby If you have been following this series of articles you should now have a good handle on how to treat pest aiptasia, majanos, and those dreaded

reefs.com

 

[vetteguy53081]

Pic of the coral?

 

[andrewey]

I would add, that in addition to dip/observation, if you keep the corals, this is really one of those times you really need to remove the frag plugs from the coral, even if that means breaking off some of the encrusting portion of the acro.

 

[fishguy242]

frog still looks healthy, pic's of other corals??

 

[naterealbig]

Those are not AEFW. I would add them.

 

[fishguy242]

look to me as red planaria ,but no expert

 

[Backreefing]

I’m walking with my family. When I return I will replug and scrub with a toothbrush. And basting again . My quarantine or second tank is stable and has a yellow coris wrasse. So it might be worth it.

 

[rogersb]

I got a hammer coral that had planaria on it. I got some tap water that was about the temp of tank water and dipped the coral in that. Those planaria were dead pretty much instantly and I haven't seen any in my tank in 1.5 years. I do have a couple wrasses to be honest though.

 

[ApoIsland]

I got a hammer coral that had planaria on it. I got some tap water that was about the temp of tank water and dipped the coral in that. Those planaria were dead pretty much instantly and I haven't seen any in my tank in 1.5 years. I do have a couple wrasses to be honest though.

I have also given corals / entire rocks/sand from a small nano a fresh water bath and witnessed the almost instant death too. Came back within within a month though. Noting in that tank escaped the fresh water bath. I think either eggs were immune or they were all deep in a crevice that the 30 second swishing in fresh water did not penetrate. Your wrasse may be just as likely the cure as the fresh water bath.