Flatworms - Help me ID!!

[BigT]

I have been noticing some small flatworms and they are reproducing like crazy. The small ones(1/16in. and smaller) look brownish green. As they grow they get a reddish spot on them. As they get even larger, they turn the same reddish colour all over. They seem to be congragating on the sand and rubble, I can't see any on my corals. Are they predatory, paracitic, or harmless? What will eat them? How else can I get rid of them? I am trying to post a pic, but my camera is being a pain. I'll keep trying. Thanks in advance. T

 

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately we all go thru this flatworm infestation at one time or another.
While flatworms themselves are not a problem as far as being predatory and are not harmful it's the shear numbers that reach plague like proportions. There are various products, livestock, methologies, etc that are reported to deal with these, unfortunately they all have serious drawbacks.
For a great read click on this link:

http://www.escribe.com/pets/reefkeepers/

then do a search for flatworms you'll come up with 100's of hits.

When I've had them I tried some of the critters but eventually I just let them go and they disappeared by themselves.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[BigT]

I added a big mandarin, a scooter blenny, and an arrow crab yesterday. This morning, I see a lot less flatworms!!! Problem solved.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm, you may think they're gone but I doubt it.
Good luck.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

I added a big mandarin, a scooter blenny, and an arrow crab yesterday. This morning, I see a lot less flatworms!!! Problem solved.

what will the scooter and mandarin eat when they finish the flatworms off?