ID Please

[Ssdlm5]

I've notice something on my glass the other day. What can this be? Is it a parasite? Or I can just leave it?

 

[D1J8Z]

looks like a type of flatworm but I could be wrong...

 

[anthony27]

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.seaslugforum.net/images/m5836convb.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/f267/help-flatworms-133767.html&usg=__uEf5u2TTljIx0WdZ77vqzXMPysU=&h=300&w=300&sz=16&hl=en&start=6&um=1&tbnid=BW8i6pUeuiwJtM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dflatworms%2Bin%2Breef%2Btanks%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1

 

[anthony27]

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WormPIX/FlatwormPIX/Flatworm_city.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.wetwebmedia.com/fltwmcont.htm&usg=__VM0rquYoys9ZA1ZkR4aRf0CT_4c=&h=267&w=300&sz=13&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=H6dcPaYbwnQm9M:&tbnh=103&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dflatworms%2Bin%2Breef%2Btanks%26hl%3Den%26um%3D1

 

[anthony27]

hope this helps

 

[Ssdlm5]

yea what is that?

 

[LongIslandAndy]

It is a flatworm Convolutriloba retrogemma. It does not eat coral but multiples like crazy.

 

[anthony27]

andy how do you get these in the thank is it a hitch hiker

 

[Aquatic Life Direct]

most likely you did not dip your corals and got it that way. They are a pain in the butt but can be killed with flatworm exit made by salifert. Like andy said, they do multiply fairly quick.......

 

[nycoralguy]

sixline wrasses might help a little.

 

[nycoralguy]

siphon out as much as possible before you put the sixline in.

 

[Ssdlm5]

So if its left untreated will it do any harm to the tank?

 

[tosiek]

It will cover your tank, and if you have a mass death of them it will nuke your tank. Plus they tend to hinder coral growth if the tank is covered in them. Other than that not really.

 

[LiquidSky]

Do not underestimate the toxins they can release when they die from a treatment of "flatworm exit"
They will create long strings of individuals just a few minutes after you start the treatment.

If you have a big population, active carbon and premixed salt should be ready at hand.

Several species of wrasses will also eat them.