Help ID this stuff.

JDigital · #1 03-28-2009, 11:56 PM

So I have noticed these red flakes spreading around the LR rock in my tank. I had thought it might be Red Bugs, but none of my SPS/Acros' have any of these flakes on them, plus I think they are too big to be Red bugs..

christyf5 · #2 03-28-2009, 11:58 PM

Well helloooooo flatworms

Siphon, siphon, siphon. Then once you've siphoned out most of them you could treat with flatworm exit. Be sure to follow the instructions with a large waterchange and carbon handy.

JDigital · #3 03-29-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christyf5

Well helloooooo flatworms

Siphon, siphon, siphon. Then once you've siphoned out most of them you could treat with flatworm exit. Be sure to follow the instructions with a large waterchange and carbon handy.

Cr*p....

Thanks for the bad news... haha!

christyf5 · #4 03-29-2009, 12:06 AM

Sorry

Another approach, which may be more successful long term, is to introduce a wrasse to the tank. I have a haliochoeres wrasse that ate every flatworm in my tank (which was a side benefit as I wasn't adding him for that reason at the time). The little yellow coris wrasses have also been reported to eat them.

JDigital · #5 03-29-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christyf5

Sorry

Another approach, which may be more successful long term, is to introduce a wrasse to the tank. I have a haliochoeres wrasse that ate every flatworm in my tank (which was a side benefit as I wasn't adding him for that reason at the time). The little yellow coris wrasses have also been reported to eat them.

Thanks Christy! Could be a good excuse to pick up the Mystery Wrasse I wanted..

Other than being an eye sore in the tank, is there anything else I should be aware of regarding these flatworms.

Carmen · #6 03-29-2009, 12:45 AM

Whoa Nasty! Sorry to see that Josh! UGH! Better pick up that Mystery wrasse quick!

christyf5 · #7 03-29-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDigital

Thanks Christy! Could be a good excuse to pick up the Mystery Wrasse I wanted..

Other than being an eye sore in the tank, is there anything else I should be aware of regarding these flatworms.

LOL, yes flatworms are a great excuse for a mystery wrasse. As long as your SO doesn't see the bill

So if you do a bit of reading on these suckers, they can release toxins upon death, its a good idea to keep the populations low by siphoning if you don't go for the predator idea. That way when you get sick of them and eventually go for the FWExit you won't have as many to kill or harm the tank when they croak.