Small white leech ?

psxnet

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Hi everyone,
I have looked through most of the critter threads but don't see anything the same as these that have just appeared in my tank over the last couple of days, so would welcome your advice.
They do not have any bristles or legs and curl up just as you would expect a leech to do if touched. They are all about 12 - 24mm when stretched out, and can move quite quickly when on the glass. They are also seen on the rocks, seem to live in the sand, and can be seen most times of the day.
The tank is 3 years old.
A couple of photos attached, the clown just likes photo bombing me, it's not actually on the fish !

Thanks.

leech2.jpg
leech1.jpg
 

vetteguy53081

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Hi everyone,
I have looked through most of the critter threads but don't see anything the same as these that have just appeared in my tank over the last couple of days, so would welcome your advice.
They do not have any bristles or legs and curl up just as you would expect a leech to do if touched. They are all about 12 - 24mm when stretched out, and can move quite quickly when on the glass. They are also seen on the rocks, seem to live in the sand, and can be seen most times of the day.
The tank is 3 years old.
A couple of photos attached, the clown just likes photo bombing me, it's not actually on the fish !

Thanks.

leech2.jpg
leech1.jpg
Either a planaria or Rhabdocoela Flatworm and while deemed of less harm, they in numbers can smother bases of coral and block the needed light for production of zooxanthellae which is their energy source.
Removal can be accomplished by siphoning them with a 3/8" tubing into a nylon stocking and discard
OR
Add a wrasse such as Yellow coris, 6 line, lunare or malanurus OR even a springieri damsel which will eat them

With the number you have, for the next 2 weeks you will have to look for eggs and scrape off as there is likely some and would be future acoels. Eggs are really tiny

1678293158905.png
 
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psxnet

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Thanks very much for your reply.
I will have a look at the fish to see how they get along with my existing setup then. I don't have a thick sand bed, so will have to possibly add some more for a wrasse.
 

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