Polyclad flatworm problem (1 Viewer)

[3fish]

So found an unexpected resident in my tank today - had a hard time with the id (and can't seem to post pic of it) but thanks to Tektite, figured out that it's a polyclad flatworm.

It's about 2 inches across (at least) - I'm guessing the obvious step is to throw him out, right? Tank is a 29 gallon with lps and a clam. I have a 20 g I could move him to, just wasn't sure whether to do or not.

Any comments appreciated!

 

[BiGPiNK]

Get him out, and fast!
Polyclads will actively hunt your snails and sometimes hermits too! They're a right bugger to your tank, and an even bigger bugger to remove. i commend you if you've already got him bagged, it took me about two weeks to fish just 2 from a 3 gallon pico! be careful when you're trying to remove them, they're like geckos as they'll just split and fall apart to prevent you attacking them and i think each "frag" of polyclad is able to regrow back into a full worm! Some people advise using airline tubing to vacuum them out (mine were too big to siphon them :-( ) while i've even seen some people say to take a toothpick or something similar and stab it as close to centre as possible then drag them out stat! there are products like flatworm-exit which are supposed to deal with the problem, i never tried it though, don't like adding too much unknown to my tanks! there may be others who can give you an accurate review.

 

[3fish]

Thanks - I was patting myself on the back for getting him out so quickly and easily, then when I walked by the tank later that night spotted a second one roaming the tank. I'm still trying to catch that bugger...

 

[cliner]

Found a few of these in our sump, curious as to what they were. Wondering if the products used to kill them would harm snails, limpets, elephant slugs/ scutus snails? Anyone have experience? We have quite a few limpets and the black elephant slugs(snail family I believe, black with a small white shell on it's back ) in our reef. Definitely don't want to nuke things I like if we don'y have to.

 

[BiGPiNK]

. Definitely don't want to nuke things I like if we don'y have to.

+1
exactly why i steered clear until i got some real reviews

 

[cliner]

I did find a few excerpts while researching that says they are mostly harmless unless population is out of control. Also noted that can be a spike in available food sourdes that causes the outbreak. Some people have said if the problem that causes them goes away, they may as well. Sounds like cyano huh?