Red Planaria (flatworms)

[MuralReef]

So I noticed these really neat looking little reddish blobs on a piece of my LR yesterday and thought that it was some kind of sponge or something similar. When I looked at them today I noticed that they had moved and that concerned me upon further investigation I have found them to be red planaria. What I have read is that there are a few different fish that can help control them like 6 lined wrasses or leopard wrasses. What do you guys think? I don't have many now, but I have read about infestations and I don't want that either. Here are some pics. View attachment 13265 View attachment 13266

 

[ValG]

I have had really good luck with Six Line Wrasse in my old 75 tank. That guy toook care of them. Flatworm exit works as well (from what i have read) but never used it mysefl.

 

[MuralReef]

That doesn't sound too bad. Gives me an excuse to go buy another fish I wanted anyway.

 

[ReeferMatt]

Avoid the flatworm exit if you can. My 6 line wouldn't touch em' till my melinarius wrasse taught him how. Really depends on the fish, can be hit or miss.

 

[djkms]

Do be cautious of six line wrasses, they are known to be mean. Your best best (if you are going the natural predator route) is to get a halichoeres wrasse:
http://aquarium-fish.liveaquaria.co...:marinefish&isort=score&method=and&ts=results

Be aware that they can potentially go after snails, feather dusters and other worms. I have had a yellow, green, christmas, vroliks and melanurus in the past without issue but your mileage might very.

 

[MuralReef]

What about a yellow coris wrasse?

 

[djkms]

Halichoeres chrysus? Great fish, good hunter. The one I had harassed my diamond goby but nothing detrimental. I had flatworms in my previous 125 gallon and the yellow coris was the fish I added to rid the problem. My flatworms disappeared in a couple days after adding him.

 

[DyM]

I used FWE, just dose 3-4x the recommended strength

 

[reef dummy]

Red Planaria (flatworms)

+1 on the yellow coris wrasse, thet go to town on nudis as well.

 

[Smiley]

Re: Red Planaria (flatworms)

Always follow directions on fwe. Don't double or triple dosage..... your asking for trouble... and tank wipe....

Sent from my C771

 

[subpotentjoe]

Springeri Damsels are great for flatworms too. They will actually eat any worms they can catch, even really expensive Berghia

 

[MuralReef]

I am going to try and pick up a Yellow Coris Wrasse. It sounds like that should do the trick. If not I'll try the FWE, but I'd rather not add any treatments unless I have to.

 

[ReefCheif]

Stay away form FlatWorm Exit. Yellow Choris should help, melanarus is great as well as leapords. I have all 3 in my tank and have no unwanted critters.

Stay away from the six line, theyre meaner than hell when they get bigger and known to jump.

 

[ReefCheif]

You can also remove the clumps of red worms as you see them, this will help too.