Unknown Critters in Tank

[Omar]

I am relatively new to reefing. I have a 29g bio cube and I do weekly water changes, daily dosing with B-ionic. I recently started weekly dosing with phyto-feast. I noticed today that one small colony of zoanthids were not opening fully. I looked a little closer into my tank and realised that there were numerous small (2-3mm in length)flat, brownish-orange, with red trim, slug-like critters moving around.

What are these? (flat worms?)
How can I get rid of them safely?

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

google images of flatworms and other marine pests and find out what it is 1st. If it is indeed flatworms flatworm exit works well.

 

[anthony27]

Flat worms as tirggs said, just be careful if you can take out that whole colony of zoas and treat that would be good but ig you notice you have more all over the tank treat and then try to suck up as many dead flat worms as you can and then treat again. Do a good size water change after treating they do in large numbers can release toxins into the water. :|

 

[Omar]

thanks man...I read up a little...these are rust brown flatworms....they were probably caused by my weekly dosing of phyto feast...increased nutrient levels in water can be the reason for these critters. In this case it has to be so...my tank was in great condition prior to dosing with phyto feast...maybe the weekly frequency was way too much considering the size of my tank and skimmer's capacity.

 

[Omar]

thanks man...should I do an emergency water (just mixing salt and water to desired salinity without letting it sit and warm) change after I utilize this product?...gonna be heading to the fish store, stat!

 

[prattreef]

Relax and slow down. This is not an emergency situation that requires immediate action. Red planaria flatworms are not harmeful in the short term and only become a real problem when they reach really high densities. Stop the phyto feast--what are you trying to feed with it anYway? Siphon out as many of the flatworms as you can, do a few water changes over the next week or so and get your water quality back up and then after observing the situation and reading up on the problem and on using flatworm exit as a cure, you can decide if you want to treat the system.

When you respond too swiftly to a situation that doesn't demand swift action you run the very real risk of making matters worse.

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

+1 Well said Randy. Obewan..not letting the water warm to the same temperature as your tank is a horrible idea in ANY case..that's how you get ich and other problems like shock and then you are just going to kill your livestock. Always use a heater to warm your water to the same temp as your tank water and add it slowly.

 

[Omar]

hey I was a little shook...Im a newbie....and totally new to this situation after starting up the hobbie problem free since last feb...I thank you guys for your knowledge....I bought the flatworm exit and will start the regiment tomorrow once I have a fresh batch of HEATED water. Ill keep you guys posted.

Thanks again

Omar

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

lol you're welcome everything comes along slowly in this hobby never rush anything

 

[Omar]

after 3 hours of siphoning and using the recommended sock-filter method by ?Marc ...I bombed those suckas! It was amazing how quick that Flatworm exit worked...after 24 drops and as many seconds....booya....those suckas were floating and lifeless like Snookie's upper lip! ...The brakes are pumped on the phyto-feast...thanks again for the help everyone....
OB

 

[TRIGGERMAN]

I told you that ish was good lol Glad everything worked out