Flatworms and Hitchhikers/Pests

[Pinkheine]

Flatworms and Hitchhikers/Pests

We all get frags and corals from various places, members, LFS, online vendors etc. Pests seem to be inevitable in this hobby at one point or another. Through communication and prevention can things be kept in check?

Here is the situation/story if you would...

I had posted on the DBTC the Fox Coral. Now I noticed flatworms on one of the corals we got the same day from the LFS, the Fox Coral also came from that tank at the LFS. I noticed some flatworms on the mother but not the frag after the fact. Anyways, I kept an eye on the coral and took it out of the tank several times to give it a once over to see if there were any flatworms on the piece. Haven't been able to get my hands on any Flatworm exit as of yet, so couldn't dip it.

When Kathy came to pick up the coral I did let her know this, and asked if she had the dip. I did not want to give my dilemma, or possible dilemma to any other members here.

My question is this... did I do something wrong here? Should I bow out of buying/trading or otherwise corals?

There are no visible signs of flatworms in my tank (though I know they are most likely there, but I am hoping my wrasses with take care of the little bit that may be there, if not will cross that bridge... )and until I get my hands on some flatworm exit or another flatworm treatment I cannot do anything about it. Even still is there any guarantee?

As long as we are honest with one another, and knowledgable about the possible pests we can obtain by taking on things from other aquariums... is that enough?

Not sure if there is some code of ethics or otherwise that I am missing here. Obviously being new to all this, would like input from other members on how they view the situation. And what I should have done or not done. -Or- What you yourself would have done in the situation.

Thanks.

 

[prattreef]

Honesty is all anyone can ask. Everyone should assume that anything they buy might have pests and act accordingly.

 

[Deanos]

As long as we are honest with one another, and knowledgable about the possible pests we can obtain by taking on things from other aquariums... is that enough?

Telling the potential receiver/buyer that you have pests is enough for me.

 

[jhale]

Telling the potential receiver/buyer that you have pests is enough for me.

I agree, let people know ahead of time so they can be prepared.

Though if you buy or trade coral you should always assume the worst.

And you should always be ready to treat whatever pest comes your way

be proactive about it.

:redstarfish:

 

[NYreefNoob]

by telling her you did the right thing, most wouldnt have done that out of fear of not being able to sell something, and any reefer knows better to just put a coral in their tank without dipping and inspecting

 

[inkblue]

katHy has flatworms... :lol2: they had a famiLy reUnion wHen you gaVe her yours

 

[KathyC]

katHy has flatworms... :lol2: they had a famiLy reUnion wHen you gaVe her yours

I find nothing funny about it Ink.

Yes, I do have flatworms in my 33g Cube..NOT in my 120 or nano. I do not transfer corals, sell them or trade ANYTHING that is in that tank.
The day I found out I had them I immediately contacted the folks that I had recently given rics to and told them of the situation, I also offered to purchase FWE for them if they did not already have it.

I believe it is a matter of respect in telling others when there is a known pest in your tank.

I also greatly appreciate that Sybil (Pinkheine) let me know there was an issue when I picked up the Fox Coral.

 

[Chongpark27]

Honesty is all anyone can ask. Everyone should assume that anything they buy might have pests and act accordingly.

I agree 100%.

 

[Josh]

Yeah, you just need to tell people before they buy the coral. Most people are fine with it as long as they know what to expect.

 

[reefkprZ]

Telling the potential receiver/buyer that you have pests is enough for me.

ditto.

I have bought stuff I knew was infested because I knew I could handle it, if I bought a coral and later found out the seller knew and didnt tell me, many ba juju's to them.

god bless QT.

 

[bad coffee]

I believe you should tell someone BEFORE they show up. I don't have a car, so I take the subway/bus. If I take an hour long trip to your house to get a frag, and you tell me it has pests when I show up, I'm gonna be rightfully pissed off. I just spent an hour to get there, and I have another hour ride home. You've just wasted a bunch of my time. Sure, there are some things I won't care about. If you tell me "I've got bryopsis on everything," before I start out, chances are I'll still take the frag, because I have bryopsis in my tank already. If it's got flatworms, I might think twice, though.

This brings up a good question:

What do you guys do when you bring a coral home?

I mean EVERY time. What are the steps you go through before adding the new coral to the tank? (Except the 'new coral dance' we all do...)

I used to not do anything. Bring it home, dump acclimate, then toss it in.

I recently had to completely remove all my rockwork because of flatworms. I lost the battle, and wasn't about to Flat Worm Exit (FWE) a tank with that many visable flatworms. So out the rock came.

Since then, EVERY coral I get gets 1 drop of FWE, and a 30 second freshwater dip.

I believe every reefer should have FWE. I put it on the list with things like a turkey baster, and an extra waterchange bucket. It's just one of the many tools we all use to maintain our tank.

B

 

[boozeman]

...Since then, EVERY coral I get gets 1 drop of FWE, and a 30 second freshwater dip.

I believe every reefer should have FWE. I put it on the list with things like a turkey baster, and an extra waterchange bucket. It's just one of the many tools we all use to maintain our tank.

B

sound advice.
It is always best to have an ounce of prevention and dip all corals before placing them into your system.:tub:

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Treat every coral as if it has pests, inspect and treat them and be done with it.

 

[mray]

Do the same with live rocks. I picked up some nice pieces that had more than the ricordia yuma I saw. It was loaded with flatworms, one asterina star, and a bristleworm I just tweezed out now.

 

[masterswimmer]

I recently had to completely remove all my rockwork because of flatworms. I lost the battle, and wasn't about to Flat Worm Exit (FWE) a tank with that many visable flatworms. So out the rock came.

Since then, EVERY coral I get gets 1 drop of FWE, and a 30 second freshwater dip.

I believe every reefer should have FWE. I put it on the list with things like a turkey baster, and an extra waterchange bucket. It's just one of the many tools we all use to maintain our tank.

B

I had the dreaded flatworm three years ago. I treated my entire system. When I tell you I had a plague of them, I kid you not. My ENTIRE sandbed, corals, everything was covered with them.

I siphoned out every visible flatworm for three consecutive days.

I removed my carbon. Replaced it with fresh carbon to prepare for the post FW treatment.

Then I dumped three full bottles of FWE into the tank. The flatworms began dying and blowing all over the tank within 15 seconds. I continued to siphon them out. I used a powerhead to get to those hard to reach places. I siphoned them out for at least a half hour. I used a new pantyhose on the end of the siphon tube to catch the dead FW's, and not have to replace 40-50 gallons of water from a 100 g system.

I then siphoned out about 25g of water. Replaced it with freshly mixed (the day before) saltwater, turned on my carbon and prayed. Every single coral closed up like a clams a$$. I thought for sure I killed everything.

Within the next 24-36 hrs, every coral opened. I lost no coral, no fish. I did lose one feather duster.

On the third day I repeated the same process. I dumped three full bottles of FWE into the tank. I once again had my carbon off line and refreshed. Not one single FW could be seen blowing around.
I put the carbon back on, nothing even closed up.

One week later, I repeated the exact same procedure and treated with three full bottles of FWE and my powerhead blowing into all crevices. Again, not a single FW was to be found. Did another 25% water change. New carbon. I've been FW free for three years.

I went through this detail to explain why now I treat EVERY SINGLE ADDITION to my tank with FWE. I temperature acclimate every coral with a minimum of three drops of FWE into every single bag with coral. I slosh it around in the bag and let it sit for the temperature acclimation period of about 20 minutes. Then into the tank.

I've never seen another FW in any system I run.

FWE should be in EVERY REEFERS possession.

swimmer