WMAS Discussion Forum : Flatworms?? ID Please http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 29 Jul 2026 20:13:50 +0000 Fri, 12 Dec 2003 20:57:50 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=1474 <![CDATA[WMAS Discussion Forum]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : If they have that shape then they...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12552&title=flatworms-id-please#12552 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 12 2003 at 8:57pm

If they have that shape then they are most likely planeria/flatworms. The planeria is a protozoa. It's my understanding that protozoa eat bacteria. Some protozoa, like those red/brown ones are either photosynthetic with zooxanthellae or phototropic, meaning they like the light. I haven't read up enough on these to know.

The flatworms you describe may never become a problem.
Every tank has protozoa that may overpopulate and cause problems. Generally we are sublimely unaware of the ying and yang going on at the microscopic level; the eat and be eaten of nature.

I believe that sometimes "crashes" occur becuase of the coincidental convergence of several variables, sometimes including the demise of various forms of microscopic life that had been helping keep the tank in balance.]]> Fri, 12 Dec 2003 20:57:50 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12552&title=flatworms-id-please#12552 <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : I don&#039;t think that they are...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12512&title=flatworms-id-please#12512 Author: SSpargur
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 12 2003 at 8:40am

I don't think that they are necessarily bad.  It's just that they multiply like crazy and will eventually cover everything in the tank.

Thanks for the advice all.

]]> Fri, 12 Dec 2003 08:40:10 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12512&title=flatworms-id-please#12512 <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : I have some questions... Mark...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12509&title=flatworms-id-please#12509 Author: Crazy Tarzan
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 12 2003 at 8:01am

I have some questions...  Mark remember I was trying to tell you about some clear 'slugs' that I have in my tank?  They look like that, only they are clear, and I only see them at night, or when I first turn on my lights....  they hide during the day.  Are they flat worms?  I will bring one in Jan with me, and why are they bad? 

I always see mine on the glass.  Haven't seen them on anything else, or maybe just haven't noticed them.

Nate

]]> Fri, 12 Dec 2003 08:01:07 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12509&title=flatworms-id-please#12509 <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : If my experince with them will...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12497&title=flatworms-id-please#12497 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 11 2003 at 10:23pm

If my experince with them will help, here is what I would try ASAP.
Assuming that planeria are not already covering every square mm of rock surface the reduction of lighting (MH off) accompanied by the introduction of hungry mandarin goby and yellow tailed damsel worked for me. You have a low fish load anyway so not feeding the mandarin and damsel may just do the trick. That kind of damsel is not so pugnacious and doesn't get so large as the others that people have been trying to catch!

I didn't try the nudibranch so that may work for you.

They are photosynthetic so light just helps them proliferate.

BTW - that's one of the best pics of them I've ever seen!]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2003 22:23:39 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12497&title=flatworms-id-please#12497 <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : Marine depot has them. http://...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12484&title=flatworms-id-please#12484 Author: seti007
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 11 2003 at 7:53pm

Marine depot has them.
http://www.marinedepotlive.com/404634.html]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:53:22 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12484&title=flatworms-id-please#12484 <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : Thanks for the info Asad. I&#039;ll...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12483&title=flatworms-id-please#12483 Author: SSpargur
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 11 2003 at 7:48pm

Thanks for the info Asad.  I'll be a huntin' for some.]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:48:48 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12483&title=flatworms-id-please#12483 <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : I think all the flatworm infected...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12480&title=flatworms-id-please#12480 Author: seti007
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 11 2003 at 7:28pm

I think all the flatworm infected reefers should put in an order of these nudis and eradicates this menace forever. If anyone in town sells them let me know.]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:28:30 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12480&title=flatworms-id-please#12480 <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : Low light + strong current will...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12479&title=flatworms-id-please#12479 Author: seti007
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 11 2003 at 7:22pm

Low light + strong current will definately slow down their spread. It is unfortunately almost impossible to get rid of these without chemicals.
They thrive and soon spread to plague concentrations under metal halides while their #s stay small under other less intense light.
Natural remedies like six line wrasse, yellow tail damsels are hit and miss. Ive tried them and never had any luck.However, there is a nudi that specializes in eating these plague flatworms. Here is a very informative article
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2002/short.htm
hope this helps.
Asad]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:22:27 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12479&title=flatworms-id-please#12479 <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : I had a red coris and a mandrin...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12476&title=flatworms-id-please#12476 Author: WhiteReef
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 11 2003 at 7:14pm

I had a red coris and a mandrin goby that seemed to take care of my problem.  I am not sure which one was taking care of the problem as I never saw either of them directly eating them.  Also I never really had much of a problem as the fish were in the tank when I knowingly introduced the flatworms about 3 years ago.  However, I did not know exactly what they were and such.  Chalk one up to stupidity and fate all at the same time.]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:14:28 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12476&title=flatworms-id-please#12476 <![CDATA[Flatworms?? ID Please : I was about 99% sure, just wanted...]]> http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12473&title=flatworms-id-please#12473 Author: SSpargur
Subject: 1474
Posted: December 11 2003 at 7:00pm

I was about 99% sure, just wanted verification as I've never had to experience them before.

I know that some members have had experiences with them before.  I want to avoid chemicals if possible.  Whatcha all advise?

]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2003 19:00:54 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1474&PID=12473&title=flatworms-id-please#12473