Polyclad worms

lakereef · Jan 4, 2016

One reason why I haven't bought more snails, hoping they'll be starved out. Anyone know if they eat more than snails and clams? Wish I could find more concrete information on these worms.

trido · Jan 5, 2016

lakereef said:
You simply removed them with a filter sock? Did you also set traps to remove? How did you assure they weren't attacking your clam? Yesterday I flipped over a frag and there was one under it only 1/8" long on the frag plug.

My system is too big to break down and clean. I didnt know I had them until a couple popped up in the filter socks and I have not tried to hunt them. My clams are healthy and have never shown sings of stress so I'm not too worried about them in the display. Recently I broke the display down and nuked all the LR so I assume if there were any FW's in there they died. I routinely clean and dip the frag tanks but there might be some in my sump. Its four tanks totaling 450 gallons of water. It is what it is. :)

Lionfish Lair · Jan 5, 2016

This really sucks. I had no idea they could become such a problem. I would be so sad if they consumed my 10 year old nerite.

lakereef · Jan 5, 2016

trido said:
My system is too big to break down and clean. I didnt know I had them until a couple popped up in the filter socks and I have not tried to hunt them. My clams are healthy and have never shown sings of stress so I'm not too worried about them in the display. Recently I broke the display down and nuked all the LR so I assume if there were any FW's in there they died. I routinely clean and dip the frag tanks but there might be some in my sump. Its four tanks totaling 450 gallons of water. It is what it is. :)

I have over 500 gallons in my system including frag tanks, so I also feel like eliminating their food supply is the only way to kill them completely. I've read some reports that they can live on more than just clams and snails, but nothing solid. Anyone know?

trido · Jan 5, 2016

Ive read that these things can live for weeks in a cup alone. I imagine it would take months to starve them out. For that matter, near ten years ago when I started reef keeping I had a crocea clam with pyramid snails. They eventually won and I went years without clams. Pyramid snails would pop up on the glass for over a year after I had my last clam. Who know what any of the pests really feed on.

reef life · Jan 6, 2016

From what I learned they can survive on other means of food(fish coral food). Like a roach, they will adapt. I've tried the don't add snails a couple of times and all I ended up with is a dirty looking tank. I always say if you find empty snail shells in your tank daily, You Prob have a or some POLYCLADS!

Lionfish Lair · Jan 6, 2016

Yes, I've read they eat fish food as well. They suck!

lakereef · Jan 23, 2016

I just found one on the underside of a frag, half the size of my pinky nail. I have it alive and will take a picture tomorrow. Contact me if you want it. Hate these things.