question on QT for flatworms

MsBean

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Welcome your thoughts/advice.

I picked up a cleaner shrimp and psammacora frag at my LFS last weekend and put them in quarantine in a small (betta) tank in an abundance of caution: my nano has been running pest free for over two years and I'd like to keep it that way. I am now seeing what I am 99% certain is a red planaria flatworm on the glass of my QT. I am assuming it hitchhiked in on the coral (despite cutting off most of the plug that was not already encrusted).

I am guessing where there is one there may be more (or eggs), so I would like to be sure to eliminate the problem before moving the frag into my main tank. I am prepared to do water changes or wait it out as long as needed, but I don't own a bottle of flatworm exit and don't really relish the thought of spending $20 on meds for just one $40 frag - frankly it would make more economical sense to just throw it out and avoid any headaches.

With that as context, what would you do? If I remove the visible flatworm and change all the water, then observe no more flatworms for xx weeks, would that be sufficient assurance that they are gone? Any use doing other types of dips (freshwater, coralfx, etc.)? Can I safely assume the shrimp is just an innocent bystander and I can still proceed with my plan to move him into the main tank as soon as he molts?
 
Wouldn't the bottle of FE be useful for the future as well? You already took the time and expense to set up QT, may as well do it all the way. to my knowledge, shrimp will not carry pests that would affect corals or fish.
 

WHAT’S USUALLY THE FIRST CLUE THAT SOMETHING IS OFF IN YOUR REEF?

  • A fish’s behavior or appetite changes

    Votes: 12 16.0%
  • A coral looks different or stops opening normally

    Votes: 45 60.0%
  • Water clarity or surface appearance changes

    Votes: 10 13.3%
  • Equipment sounds or flow seem different

    Votes: 8 10.7%
  • A test result catches my attention

    Votes: 15 20.0%
  • Algae or other growth starts changing

    Votes: 15 20.0%
  • I usually notice when the problem is already obvious

    Votes: 4 5.3%
  • It depends on what’s going on

    Votes: 15 20.0%
  • Other (Post in the comments)

    Votes: 1 1.3%
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