Flatworm - Acoel Planaria

[Woodstock]

Thanks Fish Wilson for the tips

[JFK_Jr]

Interesting observations about Acoel Planaria


Well I'm finally getting my flatworm population under control. I decided not to treat with flatworm exit by Salifert.

One thing I noticed that my "boom" coincided with decrease flow in my tank when I lost some of my powerheads.

Here's what I've done to combat them:

1. Replaced my powerheads and restored (actually increased) the flow in my tank.

2. I already had a sixline and his belly is busting from eating them. He's actually so full, that he ignores when I feed the rest of the fish in my tank.

3. Purchased several more Peppermint shrimp... I've observed my Peppermints eating the flatworms. I've got the video to prove it!

4. My luck that I've always kept blue/green chromis. I've also observed them eating flatworms if free floating. I purchased more chromis 10 total.

So here is what I did...

I siphoned out as many as I could see over the past couple of weeks. Then using a powerhead I blasted my live rock to loosen hidden flatworms and cause them to become free floating in the water column. That's where my chromis come in! They devoured any free floating flatworms, like the greedy little fish that they are!

I have repeated the process several times now and have noticed a substantial reduction in the population. I literally have to search around to find one. I'll continue a few more times to ensure that the population is back in check.

So in conclusion... WATER FLOW AND WATER MOVEMENT are extremely important in keeping flatworms in check. Now that I've reduced the population my sixline and peppermints should be able to naturally keep them in check.

[hma]

The easiest way to kill Flat worms 100% is the total darken the aquarium for 2 days. Flat worms live to a great share of Zooxanthellen in their body, similar to a coral, they need the oxygen these Zooxanthellen through photosynthesis. When the aquarium darkens, the Zooxanthelle no longer produce oxygen, the flat worm suffocated. After two days, 100% all worms death. Some of my friends in Germany have now been tested, with 100% success. In a reef aquarium, I would never use chemical, this is the reef ecosystem far too sensitive. No one ever has the long-term injury tested.

[bluespotjawfish]

JFK - A similar process has worked for me. Even with your natural predators, I would continue to siphon out all the flatworms that you can see if you want to get rid of them completely.

Heinz - Sounds like an interesting process. One question I have though is about the toxins when the flatworms die. What do you do for that? Tons of carbon?

[Craig Manoukian]

Good info, waiting for Heinz' respose to the question of toxins, good question Lorraine.

[hma]

Originally Posted by bluespotjawfish

JFK - A similar process has worked for me. Even with your natural predators, I would continue to siphon out all the flatworms that you can see if you want to get rid of them completely.

Heinz - Sounds like an interesting process. One question I have though is about the toxins when the flatworms die. What do you do for that? Tons of carbon?

Hello Lorraine,
excuse me but I have not described what is in addition has to be done. After the 2 days you have to do a large WC and suck off the dead worms. An additional carbon filter with a high flow rate is also very helpful.

Renate, also a member here, it has only a few weeks ago with 100% success tried. All animals have survived WITHOUT any problem, but the worms were death.

[Craig Manoukian]

Always great stuff from you Heinz!

[Frankie]

Wow it always amazes me whats to be learned!

[lcstorc]

When you say keep the tank in darkness do you mean total darkness or just leave the light off?

[hma]

Originally Posted by lcstorc

When you say keep the tank in darkness do you mean total darkness or just leave the light off?

Hello Lynn,

i mean a total darkness for 2 Days.

Switch the lights off for 2 days and collude the aquarium with covers or black paper. After 2 days all Flat worms are death , them suffocate.

[lcstorc]

That's what I thought.
Thanks

[hma]

Originally Posted by lcstorc

That's what I thought.
Thanks

Your welcome.

That looks two days long not really good, but believe me it functions 100%.

[lcstorc]

Well the tank only has rock, sand and water so it isn't bad at all. I need to post a pic of the things I have though. I thought they were flatworms but can't find a pic online that looks like my guys.

[jthomps123]

I've had red flatworms in my refugium for a couple months now. Just id'ed them. Funny thing is i've never seen on in my display. I've had a mandarin, clown and lmb in there for a while. Either they dont like the flow in the display or the green mandarin is eating any that make their way to the display. Beings there arent any in the display should I even worry about them?
Jason

[Woodstock]

If you ever trade corals, it may be an issue to the receiving end but if the flatworms are not bothering anything, just leave them. They may even be providing food for the mandarin fish.