I noticed some little red blobs on my glass. Upon further inspection and a quick search on the internet, I realized these blobs were flatworms. These are reddish-brown “ghosts” appearing as small flecks on the glass. My infestation appears to be a variety which feeds on algae versus Acropora coral. With my Nitrates at 17.6 ppm and Phosphate fluctuating between 0.01 and 0.09 ppm, they have erupted as I have been providing them nutrients.

The Plan

To reduce the population, I first need to export the nutrients before I use a good remedy, Salifert Flatworm Exit. If I suddenly kill a large population off with Flatworm Exit, the dying flatworms will emit a toxin which will kill all tank inhabitants. If I do not treat the population eruption, when the algae is completely consumed, they will die off all at once which would also be lethal to my tank inhabitants.

Based on my type of flatworm, I need to reduce the nutrients in my system to effectively reduce the population. I have been disappointed with my Vodka dosing as I am up to 5 ml/day dosing with little impact on Nitrates and Phosphates. I should be only dosing 1 ml/day and seeing results. Therefor, I am trying a new regime as suggested by my LFS. I am using the ZeoVit system to increase beneficial bacteria colony which I was trying to attempt with the Vodka dosing. I am using ZeoVit ZeoStart2 (0.2 ml/day) and ZeoVit ZeoBak (1 drop – Wed & Sun).

Once I see a reduction in the flatworm population, I will want to employ the use of siphoning to remove as many flatworms as possible to reduce the risk of toxic release by the dying flatworms. Once I am sure I have removed every visible flatworm, I will then use the Flatworm Exit which is reef safe to all inhabitants to totally eradicate the flatworms. The instructions for Flatworm Exit indicate I need to add 20 drops (4 drops/5 gallons). Once employed, I need to ensure I observe my tank for signs the flatworms are dying off about 30 minutes after dosage. If I do not see this, I will need to add 50% more (10 drops).

Once the flatworms start to die, I will use preventative maintenance to export the lethal toxins produced by the dying flatworms using GAC (1 lbs fresh carbon/50 gallons), partial 20% water change(s), and physical removing the flatworms. I will repeat procedure in one week to eradicate any which may have survived first treatment.

Going forward, I will need to ensure I use Flatworm Exit as part of my dipping routine to introduce new inhabitants.

My Experience Using Flatworm Exit

• 4/12 at 7:30a: Determined I have removed all the flatworms I could see, turned carbon reactor off, and then added 20 drops of Flatworm Exit.
• 4/12 at 8:00a: Surprised as tank looks like it is snowing from the dead flatworms.
• 4/12 at 8:01a: Turn carbon (2 cups) reactor on to start filtering toxins emitted from dying flatworms. Placed filter pad to manually remove flatworms. Notice my Tenuis Acro is starting to appear stressed.
• 4/12 at 9:00a: Observe all corals except frogspawn and toadstool are stressed, withdrawn polyps, and omitting defenses.
• 4/12 at 9:01a: Turn on second reactor containing Carbon (2 cups).
• 4/12 at 9:10a: Begin 20% water change.
• 4/12 at 9:32a: Complete water change and changed filter pad while tossing the old pad.
• 4/12 at 9:46a: Observe corals and still stressed. Now I am stressed.
• 4/12 at 11:11a: Observe corals and still stressed but a few polyp extensions.
• 4/12 at 4:46p: All the corals seem to be returning to normal with decent polyp extension.
• 4/12 at 5:15p: Observed more live flatworms on front glass. Do not want them to erupt again.
• 4/12 at 5:30p: Turned carbon reactors off and then added 20 drops of Flatworm Exit to repeat process.
• 4/12 at 6:15p: Turned both carbon reactors on. Corals looking much better this round.
• 4/13 at 6:33a: Corals look good. Will repeat process this weekend. Still need to get nutrients in check as Nitrates at 17.6 ppm and Phosphates at 0.05 ppm.
• 4/17 at 7:47p: Still observe number of flatworms on front glass. Bit disappointed with Flatworm Exit at this point but giving it benefit of the doubt these were from new generation and will retreat this weekend.
• 5/5 at 11:21a: I have been putting off treating again based on the number of flatworm I saw and impact I had the first time with the Flatworm Exit treatment. I have been focused on decreasing the nutrients to naturally decrease the flatworm population before treating again to totally eradicate them. So far I have had success decreasing population. I have had this luxury as my type of flatworm is not directly detrimental to coral health.
• 5/22: Introduced Yellow Coris Wrasse which at time did not know would impact my experience with Flatworm Exit.

Conclusion

Ironically, the introduction of a Coris Wrasse eliminated all Flatworms better than the Flatworm Exit. Flatworm Exit did reduce numbers to manageable level but the Wrasse finished the elimination of all remaining flatworms.

DISCLAIMER: Your results may very as each system is very different from another. For my tank parameters and environment, this was my observations and conclusion. This was not a controlled experiment so there is a potential for very large margin of error.

References

Levenson, Marc. “Flatworms (Red Planaria): How to eliminate them from your reef.” Melev’s Reef. http://www.melevsreef.com/flatworms.html. Accessed 11 April 2009 .

Lynford M.S., Andrew H. “Evaluation of Chemical Eradication Methods of Acoels (Acoelomorpha) From Marine Aquaria.” Advanced Aquarist Online Magazine. April 2009. Advanced Aquarist. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2009/4/aafeature2/view?searchterm=flatworms. Accessed 07 June 2009.

Raabe, Charles & Linda. “The Hitch Hikers Guide to the Reefs – Worms.” Chucks Addiction. http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html. Accessed 11 April 2009.

Shannon III, Thomas. “Identification of Convolutriloba species.” http://macropyga.googlepages.com/identification. Accessed 11 April 2009.

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