Flatworms on Anchor, torch, and frogspawn

[JIM260]

Just noticed last night. What have you personally found to be the best, least stressful way on the coral to get rid of them?

I prefer natural methods?

How are they actually harmful to the corals?

[JenDub]

A freshwater dip will flush them out quickly. Most won't harm the coral although they could block the coral's light if they get too thick.

A psychedelic mandarin worked well for mine, a scooter blenny can work as well (depending on fish & other foods available)

~Charles~

[Murph72]

I concur with the idea of the mandarin. My mandarin wiped them out in no time, plus he was a great addition to the tank. No flatworms, naturally eliminated, and the fish is still going strong a year later.

[Zoalander]

Mandarins eat flatwormd? Good to now it's the only fish I keep in my 2 reefs.

[Kogo]

flatworms = mandarine food

makes them sound like less of a neusence now doesnt it ( LOL )

[JIM260]

What great input! Thank you very much. I am going to buy a Green Manderine first of next week.

Interesting, I live near Tropicorium in Detroit. I called them regarding this and got to speak to "the man" himself- Dick Perrin. he agreed with the Manderine of which I will buy from him. He also said that from their obvious "considerable" experience in reef keeping- Green Chromis were very effective in reducing or eliminating them.

Another question. Those that responded- have your manderines "actually" picked them off the tentacles of your LPS or just the surrounding rock?

[Murph72]

My mandarin (the psychedelic kind) ate all of the flatworms on the sand and on the corals. He was very efficient :) Have the green mandarins been found to do the same thing? I would imagine so, but I've only known people who tried the kind I have.

[JIM260]

Murph- gotcha- psychedelic not green. They're both green so its a little confusing but now I am clear.

[Kogo]

many will recomend the target mandarine. i used bolth. cleaned out all (noticable) traces of flatworms in three days.

there are still more flatworms in the system, but its fun watching the mandarine go hunt them down.

[JIM260]

I love good news! Thank you Kogo.