AquaticEngineer Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 Anyone have experience with what varietys of wrasse will munch on flatworms? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCityAquarium Posted December 24, 2008 Share Posted December 24, 2008 I had goodluck with the christmas wrasse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefhut Posted December 25, 2008 Share Posted December 25, 2008 I have a Nebulas Wrasse if you can catch em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I had major flatworm problems -FWE failed time after time. I purchased a six line wrasse and have not seen a flatworm since! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanmike01 Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I believe my target manderin is eating them also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowman Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 melanarous (sp) wrasse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electrokate Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 I have a Hawaiian pencil wrasse that I think eats the rust colored flatworms and small bristle worms, I don't have either of those pests and do have this fish I assume that is why (: I think pencil wrasses are underrated. He does not eat coral, hermits, snails, feather dusters even. I also have a pair of red scooter blennies which likely would eat small flatworms. I have bought frags from tanks infested with the rusty flatworms and taken as many off as possible with a turkey baster with in all likelihood one or two small flatworms getting in the tank anyway so I would guess something is keeping them under control. The one flatworm I have seen is a new type, it sits on mushrooms. Blends in with them really well too. I think if in numbers it irritates them but otherwise is of no concern. I first saw it in the shop I worked at and in my tank I have seen a few from time to time. The pencil wrasse checks everywhere for food, even between the zoanthids, and never stops eating. I have not noticed a loss of pods, sponge or brittle stars with him around so what he eats is anyone's guess. Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onajoyride Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I too have an ornate chrismas wrasse that destoyed the flatworms in my fuge and is now in the dt and doing great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyles Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I keep a Christmas / melanarous Wrasse (my fav fish) and a yellow coris wrasse, they both keep flatworms non existent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Man I want one of those melanarous wrasses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Another vote for a sixline when it comes to flatworms, but they can be meeaann! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Ended up getting a 6 line wrasse, he's now been in the tank since 1/31. The number of flatworms is slowly declining, but not a significant difference yet. Should I also use flatworm extract? Or go the more natural route with a velvet nudibranch? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siskiou Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I would siphon out as many as possible (with air hose) and give the wrasse a little more time. Is anything being badly affected by the flatworms and what type of flatworm is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 I say give the wrasse a bit mroe time. My sixline had the flatworms cleaned up pretty quickly and I have NEVER seen another one since. They rock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Oh, and if you need some Flatworm Extract you are welcome to borrow mine I'm in Beaverton as well.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kriswaters Posted February 15, 2009 Share Posted February 15, 2009 Another vote for a sixline when it comes to flatworms' date=' but they can be meeaann! [/quote'] My six line, AKA Grumpy, is the sweetest fish of the bunch!~ He is one of my favorites and he loves bristle worms and the like! Kris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AquaticEngineer Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 I would siphon out as many as possible (with air hose) and give the wrasse a little more time. Is anything being badly affected by the flatworms and what type of flatworm is it? I have to move the whole system by the end of the month, so I will probably do just that. I went and checked on the tank today and the sixline has then pretty well cleaned up. There are a few areas on the rocks still pretty heavy with them, but a good siphon and water change during the move should take care of them. Nothing in the tank seems to be affected by them, accept maybe the corraline growth in certain places because they would cover an area of rock completely and no light would come through :eek: They are the light brown colored flatworms with an orange spot on them, similar to this: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 man, I do feel for you here with this problem and the future move. Hope all works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 The ONLY thing my six line does that makes me mad is he likes to eat those tiny brittle stars - every now and then I catch him swimming around with little legs sticking out of his mouth. GRRR... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grassi Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 The ONLY thing my six line does that makes me mad is he likes to eat those tiny brittle stars - every now and then I catch him swimming around with little legs sticking out of his mouth. GRRR... That is terrible! I love my little brittle stars (seem to have a hundred of them!).. I heard the peppermint shrimp will eat them too. For the flatworms we were able to get them to go away by adding more flow and lots of water changes. I did read a great trick on nano-reef.com: While your lights are out, set up a small flashlight to shine on a small spot on your sand and leave it on there for 20-30 mins. Because the worms are drawn to the light they'll flock there and you can siphon out tons of them with a turkey baster... repeat as necessary (threaten) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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