flatworms

[fencer]

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]

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!

[tang daddy]

Regular FW don't harm corals but they get out of control in plague proportions and you'll find them pearching every where on the lr sometimes they go onto corals sheding the coral of light that's when it becomes a problem. FWE works but only at a high dose keep in mind that when a mass amont of these FW die they can pollute your tank quickly, Hence a 50% WC needed after the use of FWE also carbon filtration to remove FWE so leave them in your tank if you don't care. But also realize that when you want to rid them you'll spend more $$!

[CLINT]

Ive had major problems with zoos since I got them.They irritate or eat them till they dissapear.I would just let them take care of themselves but decided I liked my zoos too much.Clint

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I find certain wrasses great for eating flatworms. Yellow, leopard & six-line.

[Ya Dude]

I had thousands then introduced 2 scooter blennies.The worms were all gone by 3 weeks.My whole sand bed was covered and after I couldnt even spot one

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

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.

This is what everyone says...but I have never seen FW in plague proportions in tanks that aren't also in nutrient overload. JME.

[Reefer Rob]

Originally Posted by Myka

This is what everyone says...but I have never seen FW in plague proportions in tanks that aren't also in nutrient overload. JME.

My tank isn't in "nutrient overload". Far from it. The only tanks I've seen that are cleaner are Zeovit tanks.

[Doug]

I,m with Rob on this one. Although they do indeed thrive on dirtier tanks, once they get a foothold, its hard to contorl them with nutrient removal alone.

My 225 that I fought them in was very low in organics. It was bare bottom, ran a huge beckett skimmer and a large alage turf scrubber. I have heard of the scooters eating them. Even the common yellow tail damsel. My mandarin & three wrasses did eat them, but could not control the population without help.

I read about all the "natural" ways of reducing them. Trying those in my large tank, allowed them to reproduce at will. A long battle using tons of skimming, sucking them out, & Flaworm Exit use, finally got rid of them.

Its a fight I would not wish to do again. Thats my experience with them. Everything I now add, has "exit" added to their acclimation process.

[Keri]

I've noticed a decline in numbers over the last couple of days, could be the scooter then!