Little red things on my glass.

[kdejour]

It's been a long time since I last posted a topic on this forum. I have a 75 gallon reef tank. My tank includes several mushrooms species, starburst polyps, crocea clam and a few candy cane corals. Lately I have noticed these small red things on the glass. They sre about the size of a pen head. I have a refugium underneath that has a lot of life in it I also raise the algae in there to feed my tangs. I also have one percula clown, two maroon, one blue tang, one yellow tang and two damsels. The things stick to the glass and they are on the sand. What are they? Are a sign of something bad?

 

[pwj1286]

Alive? Animal?
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Ferrari 166 S

 

[kdejour]

They are alive. They move very slowly

 

[pwj1286]

Macro Shot pic?
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Honda CR250R

 

[nice1bruva]

look like that by any chance?
if so it's a flatworm. :?
use the search engine above for more info as i'm signing off in a minute or so.

 

[kdejour]

That is exactly what it is. Now what to do about them? Are they bad for my tank?

 

[afishyonados]

They can be bad. Some are photosynthetic, like the one pictured above. They can enshroud coral, blocking the light.
They are extremely toxic. Do not crush or smear them with the algae magnet, for they will only make more!
There are "reef safe" medications to treat such an outbreak, but it is best to greatly reduce their numbers before treating, to avoid potential poisoning.

 

[minibowmatt]

been there, done that...
FW are not too bad, just unsightly. siphon out as many as possible for a couple days str8. then get Flatworm Exit. follow the directions to the letter. Repeat. Do a big water change within 12 hours of the dosing...