flatworms

Myka · #1 03-05-2008, 05:13 AM

^ Ya they can do a good cleanup! If I were you, I'd remove every single rock out of the tank, suck up all the worms I can see in the tank. Then use a turkey baster to blow the worms off the rock (in a different container), then put the rocks back in. Should nearly decimate the population, at which time you could possibly add a Six Line Wrasse or try to get your hands on some Salifert Flatworm Exit.

tang daddy · #2 03-05-2008, 04:43 PM

as myka said remove as many as you can another wrasse that's a resident FW eater is the yellow canary wrasse!

TRS · #3 03-05-2008, 05:03 PM

Increased flow and SALIFERT Flatworm Exit works too.

Reefer Rob · #4 03-05-2008, 05:27 PM

If you have fish you have enough nutrients for flatworms. To starve them out you'd have to remove all your fish. I've heard rumors that they can crash on their own, I've never seen it.

Flatworm Exit was a disaster for me, but if you're more careful than I was it should work OK. Basically multiply the number of flatworms you can see by a couple of hundred to get the true amount in your system.

I've heard that you can shine a light on the front of your tank over night the flatworms will congregate there, making it easier to siphon in the morning. I found this out after I treated with FW Exit, so I haven't tried it myself.

Six Line Wrasse didn't work for me. Cute little guy though.

fkshiu · #5 03-05-2008, 06:21 PM

My six-line has been completely useless against flatworms. Trying a yellow coris wrasse now.

The flatworms aren't hurting anything (yet), but there are a lot of them congregating in the shadowed areas and they sure are an eyesore in the tank.

fencer · #6 03-05-2008, 06:56 PM

You know. I haven't read anything that says they do damage to corals. Yes when they get out of control they are unsightly. I truly believe that it is a nutrient problem. I have seen green chromis go after these worms too. AEFW are the ones to watch out for.

Reefer Rob · #7 03-05-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fencer

I truly believe that it is a nutrient problem.

The nutrient requirements of flatworms are similar to that of corals. Try to starve them out and it would be hard to say what would die first, the flatworms or your corals.

Look on the bright side. If you can grow a good crop of flatworms you have an environment that will most likely grow great corals!

Seriak · #8 03-05-2008, 07:03 PM

I eventually got fed up years ago and used greenex and it worked and I don't recall losing any livestock.