How bad are flatworms for a reef tank? (1 Viewer)

[amarin]

Like the title states!

How bad are flatworms for a reef tank? Pointers on getting rid of them without harming my coral or fish. Thanx!

 

[Reefer Ard]

They can irritate and take over your reef tank.

I had an outbreak a while back. I had a flatworm rx.

Grab a sihpon of some type, I found that a clear ketchup picnic bottle worked better than a turkey baster. Siphon as many out with that and then treat. Siphon them out at they start floating because the sokution will make them very active.

Then after so many hours, do a water change because yhey can be very toxic to your corals.

Another method is dip all of your corals in say Revive from two little fishies, get as many off that way and then treat. It is a little more stressful to the corals though because it is two treatments.

You need to treat the entire tank also due to them getting into liverock and your sand bed.

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[BlackSS]

Most are pretty harmless IME, with the exception being the coral eating type.
they seem to be like anything else, with the right conditions they will flourish. I had them get out of hand on me but was able to get them under control with increased tank maintenance and targeting them with the siphon tube. Have never used flatworm exit but it is pretty accepted as safe and effective if done correctly.

best method is preventative, dip all new corals.

 

[steveb]

I 2nd the above but if your in the market for a fish a Halichoeres melanurus (wrasse) will do fine job on them. The only draw back is they will also kill off all of any stomatella snails and possibly other small snails/hermits. Mine went after stomatella and small hermits.

 

[Captinshinyside]

I had an outbreak of them also...

I beefed up my clean up crew and added a Melanurus wrasse also, added some serpent stars and a few other types of snails I didnt already have in my tank.

I also siphoned them out of my tank once or twice a week for a couple of weeks. As I was starting to get over whelmed, they just kinda of disappeared just as fast as they showed up.

I have been flat worm free for a few years now...

 

[RUSH377]

I used flatworm exit on the corals and a turkey baster to siphon out what I could see.

-Chris

 

[rb1685]

I used Flatworm Rx for about a week, siphoning them with a turkey baster, followed by a water change. It knocked them out pretty good. I haven't seen one in almost two years.

 

[Jasonc]

If youre ok with adding a fish to help - wrasses from the genus halichoeres will be your best bet. Make sure you like the fish as they will be pretty difficult to get out for a while. You"ll also need to have a sand bed for these fish because they will both sleep and hide in it. Research before you buy...