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input80
08-19-2015, 05:09 AM
Wife found this just inside a snail shell today, about 3/4 inch, what is it & how do we get rid of it please. We have a leopard wrasse in there.

http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/p742/input80/DSC_0292_zpsny9ei8wl.jpg (http://s1349.photobucket.com/user/input80/media/DSC_0292_zpsny9ei8wl.jpg.html)
davej
08-19-2015, 05:46 AM
Polyclad Flatworm

This is a very large, very predatory flatworm known to feed on snails and sometimes mollusks. Once they make it in to the aquarium, they are hard to remove. Google it
input80
08-19-2015, 05:53 AM
Thanks Dave, that explains the loss of one of her scallops. Now, how do we get rid of them?
Ryanerickson
08-19-2015, 05:54 AM
Bait them with hot dogs?
albert_dao
08-19-2015, 05:59 AM
They aren't very prolific. Find the spot where it was hiding and scrape off any egg clusters. Lift up that shelter during the day (once or twice a week) and remove any you find. Keep at it and you'll get all of them in a few weeks.
input80
08-19-2015, 06:09 AM
Thx Albert,,,,,,, will anything eat them?
Slyguy00
08-19-2015, 07:49 AM
damn thats one nasty flatworm
Skimmin
08-20-2015, 04:28 AM
Fwiw I agree with Albert. I found one in a tank I had quite a few years back. The first time I seen it, it was about the size of a looney. I was unable to catch it and didnt see it for about 6 months. When I finally caught it, it was about 4". I was always wondering what the heck was happening to my inverts. Once I removed it I didnt lose another. That my one and only experience with them. Definelty wouldn't hurt to check for eggs though. Does anyone know what the eggs look like?
albert_dao
08-20-2015, 04:35 AM
Looks sorta like gray and white blobs flattened against a surface. Think weird, slimey honeycomb.
Bblinks
08-20-2015, 10:09 PM
Good guy Albert comes to the rescue again and again. You are the man buddy!
albert_dao
08-20-2015, 10:35 PM
Thx Albert,,,,,,, will anything eat them?

I answered this in a text to Ian, but will reiterate here for everyone's benefit:

They are both noxious and will produce a sticky slime to confound aggravated predation attempts. I am not aware of anything commonly (or uncommonly) available that will eat these things. That said, they're pretty easy to deal with via manual extraction.
input80
08-21-2015, 05:02 AM
Thx again Albert, I must have missed the text. WE are going to remove the clams & set up a trap.
Actually,. yes, got the prompt text :),,,, forgot. Wife now just wants to shut it down. :(