New Tank, New to Hobby, help with flatworms

[jmc1024]

Hello All,
I am new to Manhattanreefs as well as to this hobbit. I set up a 65 gallon reef tank which will house mostly soft corals, LPSs, Mushrooms and fish. My tank has been running for about 2 months and i currently have 2 clowns, 1 zoanthid, a clean up crew and about 70 lbs of live rock. I am learning that every day I seem to find something new in the tank. Recently I saw some flatworms but am having trouble identifying them.Was wonder if I could get some thoughts? Thanks Jay [/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

 

[oh207]

Are they as clear as they appear in the picture or reddish like the ones in the link below?

http://www.melevsreef.com/node/651

 

[jmc1024]

The are pretty clear with a slight brown or darker spot in the middle. Def NOT red.

 

[jmc1024]

PS I'm thinking Acoel Flatworms but really not sure. I don't have a very large population at all just a few on the glass. But IF they are a problem I'd like to take care of it before it gets out of control. Thanks, Jay

 

[daaznmofo]

try flatworm exit and a wrasse

 

[Mark2480]

Welcome to MR and the wonderful world of reef keeping. Some wrasses eat them, six line wrasses but they can be mean to others sometimes, I believe yellow wrasses are also good. I like the melanrus wrasse the most. I don't have flat worms but he hunts around the tank all day looking for a snack and is friendly to all his tank mates. Good luck with the tank and when your ready let me know and I will give you a frag or two.

 

[Fitch4]

Common pest unfortunately, but not a big deal. Get a wrasse, I have had great luck with them eating the populations down to where they are not even visible anymore. My mandarin eats them too but a wrasse is a much better bet.

 

[john70]

I got some brown flat worn in my refugium,people said Melanrus wrass is the best to control the pest in the reef tank,I will give it a try when they grow out of control, so far I just siphon them out from the sump twice a week. they seems no harmful to any corals that I have yet. Good luck and enjoy this wonderful hobby!

 

[jmc1024]

It's funny I bought a Hoeven's wrasse before seeing any of these flatworms on my glass. He's now in my quarantine. I just got him a few days ago and was going to wait a month to put him in my DT. Is anyone able to identify this type of flatworm? I know some aren't as bad as others. I'm debating on using flatworm exit before the numbers get high. Right now I don't seem to have too many and I only have 2 small clowns in my tank. Could even take them out while I treat.

 

[daaznmofo]

you probably have more than you see. Its only toxic when they're dying. so you gotta syphon as much as possible and do a water change also.

 

[jmc1024]

Common pest unfortunately, but not a big deal. Get a wrasse, I have had great luck with them eating the populations down to where they are not even visible anymore. My mandarin eats them too but a wrasse is a much better bet.

Hi Fitch,
I was checking out your website, very impressive!!! Would you happen to know what type of flatworm this is? Do you think I would be better to let the wrasse solve the problem or use flatworm exit?

Thanks,
Jay

 

[jmc1024]

Hi Daaznmofo,
Thanks for the info!!! I don't have too many to syphon, but you're prob rite that there are more than I can see. I only have 2 fish in the tank and 3 more in quarantine for a month. Thinking of trying to take care of it before I add my new fish.

 

[jmc1024]

Welcome to MR and the wonderful world of reef keeping. Some wrasses eat them, six line wrasses but they can be mean to others sometimes, I believe yellow wrasses are also good. I like the melanrus wrasse the most. I don't have flat worms but he hunts around the tank all day looking for a snack and is friendly to all his tank mates. Good luck with the tank and when your ready let me know and I will give you a frag or two.

Mark,
Thank you, I'm excited to be in the hobby. Thanks for the info, I'm def going to add a wrasse.

 

[Todd31]

I had success with a springeri damsel. Added 2 years ago and not a flatworm since.

 

[Bogie]

Flatworm exit works really good just follow the instructions

 

[nyc reefer]

Salifert Flatworm Exit

Welcome to the forum, it's nice to see another SI reef. I think I have a new Salifert Flat Worm Exit treatment in my fish closet, I've used it in the past when I started one of my tanks, and it works well but you need to do a water change after the treatment. I'll check and let you know.

 

[jmc1024]

Welcome to the forum, it's nice to see another SI reef. I think I have a new Salifert Flat Worm Exit treatment in my fish closet, I've used it in the past when I started one of my tanks, and it works well but you need to do a water change after the treatment. I'll check and let you know.

Hey,
Thank you, let me ask you, I've been going to NJ to by fish and recently bought some things online. Anywhere here on SI that you go to?

 

[Fitch4]

Thanks for checking out the site. I've used flatworm exit before and it works. I would recommend treating more than once. I always prefer not to add meds like that if I can help it. If a fish might help, I like that solution better.

 

[Johnny Spesis]

Hey, I'm new too! I started May 2015. I inherited flat worms also, and a wrasse is your best option. I just got one myself.
Amazing hobby, you spend a lot of $$$ setting up, spend some more to decorate, and get stuff you didn't pay for(and never really wanted), only to return to a shop to spend again to obtain another critter to kill that free stuff you didn't pay for!

 

[TheTankEMT]

flat worm exit worked for me