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windyridge
06/13/2011, 06:24 PM
Found this on the glass today. It was about 2 mm small, had to look at it through a magnifying glass. It was so small I couldn't take a picture. I know it's not a snail or shrimp, so what is it? I am intrigued. This sketch is a pretty good representation of it's shape. It was kind of clear with a light tan tinge. It was moving around slowly, pointed end direction.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2523/5830959698_f10508888b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/windyridge2007/5830959698/)
2011-06-13.20.16.21 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/windyridge2007/5830959698/) by onaridge2000 (http://www.flickr.com/people/windyridge2007/), on Flickr

thegrun
06/13/2011, 06:28 PM
Looks a lot like the shape of a flatworm, which can reach plague numbers if left unchecked. Here is a website that might help in the ID:
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchhikers.html

evsalty
06/13/2011, 06:39 PM
+1.

windyridge
06/13/2011, 07:53 PM
I'm afraid I agree, based on that great link you sent me. What do I do now? If I use the Salifert Flatworm Exit stuff it will kill my inverts but I can remove the inverts for a few minutes I guess. How long and how potent is the toxin that is given off of dead flatworms? I can't have too many as my tank is pretty young. I haven't seen any, so far that larva was the only one. I have no fish and just the shrimp and what's listed in my sig.

windyridge
06/13/2011, 08:19 PM
I am trying to figure out where the worm came from. Nothing new has been added in a more than a month. I look at my tank a lot and have never seen the actual worm, only this larva. Yesterday we added a bag of live sand. Could it have been in that?

jlong11
06/13/2011, 08:31 PM
the flatworm u are refering to as far as i know are said to be harmless to the tank there are many diferent kind of flatworms but its usually the red ones that should worry u

windyridge
06/13/2011, 08:55 PM
Alright, based on the pics it looks like it's not a red flat worm larva. But doesn't any worm reproduce to epic proportions unless checked? I am going to find a Redline Wrasse which should help. I know Liveaquaria has them in stock but hopefully my LFS will too. I have spotted 2 bristle worms. They always come out when I feed frozen or live food. Are the red flat worms known to come out at feeding time too?

Lemeshianos
06/14/2011, 05:00 AM
Usually the various hitchhikers will arrange their population depending on the environment.
For example there are many filter feeders that will die off eventually because your system cannot support them.
Bristleworms will never take over a tank, unless it is overfed and neglected(not removing dead snails, etc).
Even for red flatworms you can remove your corals and let them starve.

To have an infestation of a specific animal or algae in your tank you have to have the appropriate conditions to allow it.