flatworms

[aquarookie]

Oh, OK OK. The ones in my jar won't be hurting anything. In the worst case they'll starve to death... They came on these new ricordeas I got. The rics seem happy as can be despite having had the 'worms on them. I siphoned off all the flatworms I could find, and my 6 line wrass must've killed the rest because for at least a week I have not seen a single one anywhere. I will keep a close watch, however, in case they reappear.

 

[kevinpo]

The common algae eating red planaria and Acropora flatworms are different species. The Acropora species eats the tissue off the coral leaving a chewed appearance and eventually killing the coral.

The ones you have in the jar are perhaps parasitic but do not eat the tissue and kill the coral.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[salmonslayer]

Kevin do you have a pic of the ones that do eat coral.

 

[kevinpo]

Here's a link to some great pictures and descriptions. Also the effect they can have on Acropora corals.

http://www.melevsreef.com/aefw.html

Regards,
Kevin

 

[salmonslayer]

Thank you Kevin. Lots of info and great pics.