Can some ID this? (Algae?)

[arozz7]

I have this stuff all over my rocks. When I put a new piece of rock in the tank it starts to cover it slowly. It is an orange/reddish color. It is rectangler in shape. Almost looks like flatworms but it definitely does not move and does not grow on any corals. This is the best pic I can take of it. I will try to get a better closer picture of it.

 

[marrone]

They're Flatworms. They usually move when the lights come on. If you can siphon some out either take a closer look and maybe even post a picture.

Did you get some corals or LR from anyone recently?

 

[Zoous]

maybe red cyano.

 

[ShaunW]

Hard to tell, but if those are flatworms (planaria) you have one of the worst infestations I have seem. Stock up on Flatworm exit, and if you decide to use it your going to have to be really careful once all those guys start to die since they secrete a toxin when they die.

Also, for ever one you see there are about 10-20 you don't, hidden away.

 

[ShaunW]

Are they on the glass of the aquarium?

 

[arozz7]

I do see it build up on the glass towards the bottom and also near the edges. I tend to clean my glass frequently so it does not build up there. I have watched them closely and there is zero movement...some are slightly attached and flap a bit. I will pull a few out tonight and take a close of them...pretty sure they are not flatworms though. If they were what would they be surviving on currently?

 

[meschaefer]

I feel like I am playing "where's waldo"...where is he?

 

[meschaefer]

or is that just a really crazy infestation?

 

[Deanos]

Cyanobacteria. Do a search for red slime algae.

 

[Zoous]

If those things are flatworms that infestation is crazy!!! Can be a combination of both red cyano and flatworms. Double whammy.

 

[prattreef]

It is red planaria looks just like my infestation in my 125g. You need to siphon them out religiously over a # of days before using flatworm exit.

 

[arozz7]

alright now I am concerned....i will get a better shot and pull some out....i have a wrasse in my QT that I might have to throw in this tank and hope he has a taste for them then.....I really hope it is just algae tho....thanks for the replies...i will post the pic tonight

 

[marrone]

It's hit or miss if the wrasse will eat them. What you want to do is siphon them out, over a # of days. Wait until the lights are fully on, as they like to move up to towards the light, and them siphon out as much as you can. By doing this over a # of days you can get most of them out. Then hopefully the wrasse will eat what is left.

If at all possible try not to use Flatworm exit, a lot of people have had bad results with it.

 

[ShaunW]

If at all possible try not to use Flatworm exit, a lot of people have had bad results with it.

I respectfully disagree. If you follow the protocol exactly no problem should occur. You need to have a huge water change read after the initial treatment time, 6 hours if I remember correctly and lots of carbon/polyfilter on hand also.

I am 99% sure they are flatworms based on your seeing them on the glass at the bottom of the tank. Red Algae is not normally seen there. If you look at night with a flashlight they will be moving. Your level of infestation will require multiple treatments of flatworm exit, maybe three IMO.

 

[Deanos]

Holy cow!! Now that I look at your picture on a better monitor, I can see the individual flatworms. Good luck with whichever method you use to get rid of them.

 

[marrone]

Unfortunately a lot of people have had problems using Flat Worm Exit, even following the protocol exactly, just check all the posts of RC about it. Also it usually take more than one treatment to get rid of them.

If you can siphon them out over a # of days, and keep doing it until they're gone, you'll be better off. It can be done and as long as you keep it up it shouldn't have any effects on your tank.

NWA isn't the only place that had them, I've seen them at a # of places, including some on this board.

 

[ShaunW]

Unfortunately a lot of people have had problems using Flat Worm Exit, even following the protocol exactly, just check all the posts of RC about it. Also it usually take more than one treatment to get rid of them.

If you can siphon them out over a # of days, and keep doing it until they're gone, you'll be better off. It can be done and as long as you keep it up it shouldn't have any effects on your tank.

NWA isn't the only place that had them, I've seen them at a # of places, including some on this board.

But since his/her tank is almost completely empty from the pic taken why worry.

Siphoning would be such a pain in the ass on such an infestation. Talk about a 24/7 job!!!!!!! and to protect what, zoos, which I am sure could survive almost anything.

Yes NWA isn't the only place, many members have flatworms here on MR! :help: :headache:

 

[ShaunW]

If it was me I would even consider freshwater dipping rock that is coral free, killing the population down and then FWE treating.

 

[gil716]

I think you should use this method that a reefer on RC used for his infestation.
http://www.melevsreef.com/flatworms.html

You can stand there all day siphoning till your fingers turn into prunes.

 

[ShaunW]

I think you should use this method that a reefer on RC used for his infestation.
http://www.melevsreef.com/flatworms.html

You can stand there all day siphoning till your fingers turn into prunes.

That's a good idea!