Pictures of ugly flatworms, big, big ones

emilyolivia

emilyolivia

BANNED
#1
#1
I just found a huge, 4-5 inch long, by 1/3 inch wide, I think flatworm in my daughter's tank. My laptop is in the shop. I am on her very new computer so may have to set up a email account before I can try to post pictures. I've been loosing things in her tank that don't add up. Can flatworms kill cleaner shrimp; stars? I had two mullosks die yesterday and have been suspicious of anthopods as we had a ton of them (I don't know what they like to eat). I would like to think I scooped up a mantis shrimp, but it's not, at least I'm 90 percent certain of it. Sorry to not have a "pic" to post right away, but I'm so grossed out. It has to be a flatworm, very flat, long and UGLY. Not my april fools joke. I do wonder if (please furnish the contact information again) about the place in Loveland that can do a complete water analysis; why we are loosing things in the tank that make no sense such as the cleaner shrimp/ star, and mullosks.All the water parameters are perfect. Bought new test kits and a new salinty test recently. Olivia's mom
 
Rebel

Rebel

Anthias
M.A.S.C Club Member
#2
#2
The only flatworms I have experience with, and the only flatworms I have heard of or seen, are about an eighth inch long and a ruddy brownish color. As far as I know, flatworms do not get "inches" long nor are they predatory.

I am certainly no expert on the many thousands of different organisms in our tanks, but it sounds like you have a different type of worm that may happen to appear flat. There are several varieties of predatory worms, and I am not the one to help you id it. Try google search or even an RC search for predator worms and seek pictures. Good luck--it's no fun hunting what appears to be one animal (like a worm) and praying there are not dozens in there.

JW
 
emilyolivia

emilyolivia

BANNED
#5
#5
Not at all like the first, much more like the second. Solid, wormish color, wider and white legs, flat. I do have pictures on my cell phone. Not feeling well, so not remembering how to send them to this site. I am on my daughter's new computer too. I'm talking a big, worm 4 -5 inches and 1/8-3/8 "wide, ugly sucker. Cut it in half digging it out of the tank and both are still alive in the bucket.Yucko!
 
rmougey

rmougey

Tang
M.A.S.C Club Member
#7
#7
Called a fireworm, one of the predatory segmented worms. Likes to munch on soft tissue animals but not a concern for your shrimp or fish. These worms can grow quite large andvtheir bristles can be painful.
 
Wicked Color

Wicked Color

Tiger Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#8
#8
They are good detritivors, and if the population is kept in check, they are a beneficial part of a reef environment, +1^^^^do not touch these worms!!! The bristles are like fiberglass splinters.
 
Zooid

Zooid

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#9
#9
If you do touch them,
The two most effective ways of removing most of the bristles are:
1) soak the affected area in pure vinegar for about five minutes
2) use a piece of duct tape to remove them.

I've used both methods and both work well. The area will still be inflamed but it will help :)
 
emilyolivia

emilyolivia

BANNED
#10
#10
Yes it's the bristleworm/fireworm. I used a plastic cup and scooped it out. Had not seen it before yesterday. I do wonder if it was eating things. My serpent star; cleaner shrimp--if he was in a middle of a molt; two mullosks. No rhyme or reason. I did dip all the rock in coral x or whatever I used a month ago to see if a crab or mantis was the culprit. All I succeeded in doing was to kill many anthopods. I had way lots of the anthopods. What do they eat by the way? Detritius? I've contemplated getting a night feeding fish for that reason. Is there such a thing? Scooter blenny? They don't seem to be active at night.
 
Zooid

Zooid

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#11
#11
How long did you acclimate the animals that died?

Stars, shrimp, snails, etc. need a long, slow acclimation time.
 
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