Flatworms, wondering whether to treat or ignore.

[trilinearmipmap]

Lately I noticed some flatworms in my reef tank. There aren't very many of them.

On the one hand I figure ignore them if they are not causing problems.

On the other hand, if I wait until they get out of control, they can cause more problems with toxin release if and when I finally treat them.

I am not to eager to use Flatworm Exit because I am worried it might affect my anemone and my feather duster worm.

My Mandarin doesn't eat them, my Copperband ignores them. A wrasse might not be a good idea because my tank is fully stocked and the Mandarin and Copperband already compete for pods.

Anyway I am just looking for input on whether to nuke them or leave them alone.

[Psyire]

I've heard of blue neon gobies eating them. (cleaner gobies)

[Gools]

Which kind of flatworm do you have? The red ones, Clear, etc....
I have seen a couple clear ones in my tank, but they are not harmfull, and don't reproduce like the red ones.

[Aquattro]

I've used FW Exit with an anemone, no problems

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

My black leopard wrasse ate them up like candy

[trilinearmipmap]

Originally Posted by Psyire

I've heard of blue neon gobies eating them. (cleaner gobies)

I have a blue neon goby, I haven't seen it eating them, I'll keep an eye out though.

[trilinearmipmap]

Originally Posted by Gools

Which kind of flatworm do you have? The red ones, Clear, etc....
I have seen a couple clear ones in my tank, but they are not harmfull, and don't reproduce like the red ones.

The flatworms are reddish brown colour.

[trilinearmipmap]

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

My black leopard wrasse ate them up like candy

I'd love to get a leopard wrasse, the main reason I haven't done it is because I heard they are hard to keep when you first get them.

[monza]

I have had them a while now... 6-9 months or so and have had Flat Worm Exit and have not used it yet. Been a bit lazy with my tank and wanted to suck out as many as possible before using the Exit and that has just not happened. About a month ago they seem to have started to dwindle in numbers, at the peak it was bad. I think if they keep dwindling in size I’ll still use the Exit to kill them all. They never did bother corals just me.
The reason I never wanted to use the Flatworm Exit with a lot of them is that when they die they can be toxic.

Sorry for the long babble but if I was you I would treat them now before they get real bad. Suck as many as you can for a few days and Nuke them with Flatworm Exit.

Dave

[Chin_Lee]

I've used flatworm exit on my tank twice now. The first time i followed the recommended dosage of 1 drop per gallon and lots of them died but a few days later, i still see them around. I retreated at 2 drops per gallon and more died but a few days alter, I stilllll see them around. I haven't treated again since and they are starting to come back. i have the reddish ones that primarily stay on the sand close to the rocks.
both times i had no side effects on any anenomes, sps, lps, inverts and i didn't do any water changes after either.