Trumpet Spots?

[snyderman99]

Hey everyone!

I have 2 different trumpet colonies in my tank. I recently noticed some spots on them and am not sure what they are and what to do about them. I’m still a new reefer so just looking for guidance!

Any and all advice welcome!

Thank You!

 

[BonnieB]

Hey everyone!

I have 2 different trumpet colonies in my tank. I recently noticed some spots on them and am not sure what they are and what to do about them. I’m still a new reefer so just looking for guidance!

Any and all advice welcome!

Thank You!

Do they move? The look like flatworms.

 

[snyderman99]

Hey everyone!

I have 2 different trumpet colonies in my tank. I recently noticed some spots on them and am not sure what they are and what to do about them. I’m still a new reefer so just looking for guidance!

Any and all advice welcome!

Thank You!

Do they move? The look like flatworms.

I think you’re right :( I’m trying to figure out how to get rid of them. I’m scared to use chemicals and destroy my tank. I have a small 13.5 nano so parameters will swing so fast. Any suggestions?

 

[BonnieB]

Hey everyone!

I have 2 different trumpet colonies in my tank. I recently noticed some spots on them and am not sure what they are and what to do about them. I’m still a new reefer so just looking for guidance!

Any and all advice welcome!

Thank You!

Do they move? The look like flatworms.

I think you’re right :( I’m trying to figure out how to get rid of them. I’m scared to use chemicals and destroy my tank. I have a small 13.5 nano so parameters will swing so fast. Any suggestions?

If they’re flatworms you need to take the coral(s) out and dip them. After you dip and the pests come off you will then rise in clean saltwater before putting them back in the tank. I think others are more qualified than I to recommend a certain product and give you further guidance. @VintageReefer or @tbrown ??

 

[snyderman99]

Hey everyone!

I have 2 different trumpet colonies in my tank. I recently noticed some spots on them and am not sure what they are and what to do about them. I’m still a new reefer so just looking for guidance!

Any and all advice welcome!

Thank You!

Do they move? The look like flatworms.

I think you’re right :( I’m trying to figure out how to get rid of them. I’m scared to use chemicals and destroy my tank. I have a small 13.5 nano so parameters will swing so fast. Any suggestions?

If they’re flatworms you need to take the coral(s) out and dip them. After you dip and the pests come off you will then rise in clean saltwater before putting them back in the tank. I think others are more qualified than I to recommend a certain product and give you further guidance. @VintageReefer or @tbrown ??

I was thinking about dipping them so I agree! I was curious if there was any natural predators that would be nice to have in the tank just in case I don’t kill them all. I was thinking about a peppermint shrimp but wasn’t sure. Should start with the dip for sure:)

 

[BonnieB]

Hey everyone!

I have 2 different trumpet colonies in my tank. I recently noticed some spots on them and am not sure what they are and what to do about them. I’m still a new reefer so just looking for guidance!

Any and all advice welcome!

Thank You!

Do they move? The look like flatworms.

I think you’re right :( I’m trying to figure out how to get rid of them. I’m scared to use chemicals and destroy my tank. I have a small 13.5 nano so parameters will swing so fast. Any suggestions?

If they’re flatworms you need to take the coral(s) out and dip them. After you dip and the pests come off you will then rise in clean saltwater before putting them back in the tank. I think others are more qualified than I to recommend a certain product and give you further guidance. @VintageReefer or @tbrown ??

I was thinking about dipping them so I agree! I was curious if there was any natural predators that would be nice to have in the tank just in case I don’t kill them all. I was thinking about a peppermint shrimp but wasn’t sure. Should start with the dip for sure:)

I have a six line wrasse for them but I know others prefer other methods/livestock. Perhaps they will weigh in here for what is good for your size tank.

 

[tbrown]

Springer Damselfish would be my recommendation. There's also a product called Flatworm Exit or something like that. I'm usually not a proponent of using chemicals and I've never personally used the product but I have seen several posts on here over the years where people have had success with it.

Being a small tank, fish is a difficult stocking option. Springeri Damsel and Springeri Dottyback are more peaceful than a Sixline but all 3 will outgrow your tank.

 

[VintageReefer]

You can dose the tank with flatworm exit. If you dip corals it will work. If you probably have the flatworms on other corals or in rocks. Flatworm exit works well and has never given me any negative effects when used on my reef.

 

[snyderman99]

Springer Damselfish would be my recommendation. There's also a product called Flatworm Exit or something like that. I'm usually not a proponent of using chemicals and I've never personally used the product but I have seen several posts on here over the years where people have had success with it.

Being a small tank, fish is a difficult stocking option. Springeri Damsel and Springeri Dottyback are more peaceful than a Sixline but all 3 will outgrow your tank.

Would a peppermint shrimp work too? Just trying to figure out all my options that might work

 

[tbrown]

Would a peppermint shrimp work too? Just trying to figure out all my options that might work

I hadn't heard of Peppermint shrimp eating flatworms but apparently the Australian Peppermint shrimp has been reported to eat some (if you believe AI...).

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I would just use flatworm exit at half the strength, I've used it in the past without issue's. Even if you dip the corals, flatworms are still in the tank on the glass on the rocks etc.. Respect to other comments, but I personally wouldn't add a damsel or a 6 line to such a small tank.

 

[redacted_]

I doubt the Caribbean peppermint species commonly available in the hobby will touch the flatworms before your corals ime. Theres a lot of species of Lysmata that look all alike and all have very different temperaments (Cleaner and blood shrimp fall into the same genus). The pepperments from the Indo-Pacific are also a species complex whose temperaments we understand less than the Caribbean ones as a hobby, but I doubt you'll luck out.

Flatworm exit is one of those products that theoretically only targets proteins expressed by a planarian flatworm — think Monsanto's glyphosate to plants/microbes or any antibiotic to bacteria. People often underestimate the scientific achievement it is to find a drug like this, but that doesn't really matter here.

If you want something more natural, your tank size is the major limitation here. A sixline is my to-go choice, but would be really pushing it in a tank size, plus they're quite aggressive. I have heard the Springeri eats flatworms (most other damselfish do not so make sure to get this species specifically) and they'll do fine in a 13.5g, but I have had no experience with this species. They are apparently more peaceful than other damsels too.