View Full Version : Help ID
iamjero
10/09/2006, 12:17 PM
OK heres what I got....
Very small, 1mm to 2mm, rectangular and almost completely flat.
One of the short sides of the rectangle has a small triangular piece that sticks out. I think this is the rear of the creature.
Again these things are tiny so I do not think I will even be able to get a picture of one.
They are red in color and at first I thought it was coraline algae starting to grow on my rocks and glass until a snail approached one and the creatuer in question slithered away.
They have no appendages that I can tell.
I have not seen any of them on any of the snails, hermits, peppermint shrimp (I do not see these guys very often so I do not know for sure), or emerald crab so I do not think they are parasitic.
If there is any truth to "Only bad things happen fast in this hobby" then this is not a good thing beacuse they are reproducing very fast.
Shiandy
10/09/2006, 12:21 PM
Sounds like flatworms to me.
kiknchikn
10/09/2006, 12:24 PM
I agree. Sounds like the bad variety of flatworms. Might want to post a pic and get a positive ID, and if it is a bad species of flatworm you should get some flatworm exit and get rid of them before the population explodes.
DSMpunk
10/09/2006, 12:24 PM
Agreed
iamjero
10/09/2006, 12:43 PM
Thanks a ton.
iamjero
10/09/2006, 12:50 PM
http://www.biblioreef.net/?reef=22&id_image=116
The picture on this link is what I have taking over my tank.
iamjero
10/09/2006, 12:52 PM
Convolutriloba retrogemma is what they are called. Most of the web sites that I can find are not in English.
kiknchikn
10/09/2006, 12:55 PM
Look like red planaria flatworms to me. Get some flatworm exit and follow the directions.
iamjero
10/09/2006, 12:56 PM
http://www.picsbase.com/james/default.asp?catID=112
Here is another link. The bottom picture is what I have crawling around my tank.
kiknchikn
10/09/2006, 12:57 PM
I believe these flatworms release toxins when they die (part of what makes them a bad pest, not just a nuiscance), so you should take care to siphon them out as best you can as flatworm exit kills them, especially if you don't have a skimmer.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong about that.
iamjero
10/09/2006, 01:05 PM
"Flatworm eXit itself is quite safe to fish and invertebrates. However, the body juice of flatworms can be toxic to some reef inhabitants when present in a too high concentration. This body juice is sometimes excreted when flatworms die.
So when you use this product it is important to do the following first:
Siphon out as many flatworms as possible.
Keep sufficient fresh activated carbon in a canister ready.
Turn off UV, ozone and remove activated carbon. Keep the skimmer turned on.
Important remarks
Below given remarks are a.o. meant to reduce the amount of the flatworm`s toxic body juices in the water.
Many people have treated their reef tank(s) successfully using Flatworm eXit without any problems. The most important factors are reducing the number of flatworms before commencing with the treatment and reducing the amount of the flatworm`s body juice, released when they die, as fast as possible.
Do not underestimate the number of flatworms in your system. In a few cases a significant number of flatworms can be hiding in, for example, crevices. Blow in such and any other potential hiding places, water, to blow any flatworm out of there. For that purpose you can use a powerhead or a turkey baster. Siphon out those flatworms as well.
Furthermore, do not underestimate the amount of toxic body-juices these flatworms can excrete. This can be reduced significantly by really siphoning out the flatworms before commencing with the treatment. Further significant reduction is accomplished by siphoning out as many dead flatworms as you can.
Any body juice released by the dead flatworms in the water has to be reduced further by using about 1 pound of fresh high quality carbon for every 50 gallons. The carbon has to be used in a canister with a sufficient forced water flow.
Take sufficient time for treating the tank. That is, do not treat your tank in a hurry. Also, take time to monitor your tank for at least 6 hours after the treatment.
It is also wise to have at least 25% water ready for a water change if required.
Dosage:
Read all the above text before commencing with the treatment!
1 drop for every 4 liters or 1 gallon
The dropper contains approx. 300 drops (10ml). The dropper cap holds approx. 90 drops. So 1 cap full is good for 360 liters or 90 gallons.
- Add it in a high flow area of the tank. If you want to treat a refugium only and if it`s volume is too small for using a powerhead then mixing should be done manually.
- It should start to work within 30 minutes.
- If within 45 minutes no visible death of flatworms occurs add 50% more.
- As soon as the flatworms start to die, commence with the activated carbon to take out any toxic body juices. Also see the above given important remarks.
- After an hour or so you can turn any UV or ozone on again.
iamjero
10/09/2006, 01:06 PM
Luckily all I have in the tank at the moment are snails, hermits, and shrimp.
I hope they don't die.
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