Flatworms

[dela]

Someone said this guy is a flatworm. Does anyone know what they eat? Or why they are considered undesirable? I think they are kind of cool.

 

[MedicineMan1]

That's a different species than what I have; mine are the orange ones that multiply like crazy and then the population dies off. They're considered undesirable because they will coat your live rock and other things because they become so populous. Then, a couple of weeks later, the population dies down and the cycle starts all over again.
I believe they eat "detritus", all the crud that falls from your fish and water column. In that respect, they're GOOD to have!

 

[MattM]

That one is a 'good' flatworm. They don't breed out of control like the orange ones.

This type appear in tanks with fresh live rock and usually aren't seen too much after several months.

Nothing to worry about.

 

[danmhippo]

I have many many of those crawling on the refugium wall. Never seen them in the main tank though....

 

[kjb]

I have the 'bad' orange flatworm.
What eats 'em???

 

[Goldmoon]

There is a nudibranch that eats those, and mandarin fish are known to eat those too.. but some people state they had no luck with them eating flat worms. In the marine atlas 1 by baensch, they state mandarin fish and some brittle star will eat them.
FFE have some at the moment for sale in the collection corner.... I know that by the time you read that message they might not have any for sale anymore.. anyways.. here is the adress:
http://www.ffexpress.com/cc.htm

good luck

 

[dela]

Well after a discussion on Dr. Ron's forum, it may be that these guys eat other flatworms.. so it may be that these guys eat the orange flatworms.

But it's all speculation at this point.

Some biologist should dissect one & see what was in its belly!