[jackson6745]

Just a reminder that Acro Eating Flatworms are prevalent in this hobby. Just about everyone who has been keeping SPS for some time has had to deal with these little SOB's. Dip every frag or colony that goes into your tank (pro cure works well). If flatworms come off them, either quarantine or toss it in the garbage. If you add the infected frag/colony to your tank your risk spreading to all your corals.

Keep a keen eye out for them. If you notice small white bite marks, even a subtle faded spot, that coral could be infected. Most of the time the badly infected corals will show evidence of AEFW on the underside (shaded) part.
Tiny bite marks that look like this (pic borrowed from Melev's Reef)


If you think you will never get them, think again. SPS keepers, especially new SPS keepers, educated yourselves before you have a major problem.
Clearing an infected tank of AEFW's is no easy tank!

	SPS Small Polyped Scleractinians - Sometimes known as Small Polyped Stony corals. These are hard corals that have extremely small polyps. They are typically on the difficult side and require Metal Halide lighting or dense Power Compact or T5 arrays. These corals are prized for their rareness and ability to be easily fragged into multiple colonies.

[jackson6745]

Here is a more subtle example from my tank last march. Notice the underside of the mill where polyp extension is different. There were a few AEFW's on this coral.

[Corals Mania]

Rich, Great information! Hows your current situation with the AEFW?

[yourbedormine18]

Ok so if you dont see any bit marks but the other side of the coral like the milli doesnt have PE and alittle browned out is it AEFW

[Chongpark27]

Thanks for the reminder rich. Everyone should be aware of pests and how to prevent them from entering our reef tanks.

[reefman]

Quote: Originally Posted by yourbedormine18 Ok so if you dont see any bit marks but the other side of the coral like the milli doesnt have PE and alittle browned out is it AEFW

no PE/browny certainly doesn't mean flatworms but a possibililty. to detect fw dipping or if not possible sometimes just using a squirter can shoot them right off.
they seem to like certain types of acros: milliporas n smooth flesh acros.
frags r much easier to detect since u dont have much to check, however eggs can b hidden anywhere near the frag.

[jackson6745]

Quote: Originally Posted by Corals Mania Rich, Great information! Hows your current situation with the AEFW?

Hey Johnny,
I am pretty sure I am clean. I only have a nano so dipping every coral several times is not nearly as bad as dipping a bigger tank. I feel bad for guys with established tanks who get AEFW's. The numerous encrusted colonies you would have to be removed and dipped. Then they're left with an infected encrusted base that can only be removed by taking out the rock......what a nightmare!

[jackson6745]

Quote: Originally Posted by yourbedormine18 Ok so if you dont see any bit marks but the other side of the coral like the milli doesnt have PE and alittle browned out is it AEFW

Not necessarily. When a coral only has one or a few worms on it the symptoms are not as apparent. Dip it and find out.




FYI, Guys with larger colonies are blowing them with a turkey baster. This will free a bunch of clinging AEFW's from the colony. This will alleviate some of the damages and keep the coral thriving, but you are living with flatworms. Blowing them off will not remove all AEFW's. You will not be able to trade and have an added chore to keep up with.

[Josh]

Do AEFWs really eat milleporas? I thought they were mostly confined to smooth skinned acros (nanas, bonsais).

[jackson6745]

Josh, they love millis. I have dipped milli colonies with HUNDREDS of AEFW's in the past.