So-called "Planaria" [flatworms]
Hi I have been reading from your website and I am trying to figure out if what I have in my tank is Planaria. I have a 65 gallon tank with live rock, 1 clown, 2 sleeper gobies, 1 coral beauty, 1 powder brown tang, 3 damsels, and a puffer. The tank has been up and thriving for 7 months. What I have on the bottom of my tank and on the powerhead, thermometer and rock are white. They appear to have a tail? Not very noticeable and have not overrun any rock or glass, but I am wondering what they could be.
<we cannot say from the general description and without a clear photo, but rest assured that there is a common flatworm in aquaria that is white. Often present when its food is abundant: tiny copepods (white dots). Do look over: http://www.tcnj.edu/~maughme2/faq.htm and here: http://www.rshimek.com/
Best regards, Anthony>

Rust-Brown Acoel flatworms 5/20/03
Here is the best pic I could manage. These guys are maybe 1/8th inch long. I am wondering what they are and if they are reef dangerous. If they are what will get rid of them? Anything eat these guys? Shane  
<the Acoel flatworms you have, bud, are quite a nuisance and a common problem. Also know as red/rust/brown "Planaria". One of the genera represented includes Convolutriloba. Please use the common and scientific names proffered here to do a keyword Google.com search of our archives (many FAQs on this topic) and beyond on the Internet. kind regards, Anthony>
 

Flatworm ID - Harmless Here - 8/13/03 Hi Crew! You guys & gals sure deliver the goods! <thanks kindly <G> I wonder if someone can tell me what this is and what I should do with them (hundreds of them!). They are crawling out of my 4 week old live LS. <your critter is a flatworm/AKA Planaria... and is actually of the harmless variety. This creature preys on copepods and is common to flare in young tanks when the copepod population is strong (yay!) before the tank is overstocked (booo...) or stocked too quickly (too common). They will wane when the copepods do. No worries. Best regards Anthony>

Nudibranch or Flatworm     Hi crew! <Howdy Aryeh>     Last night I was shocked discover in my 200 g reef what looked like a black Nudibranch gliding along the sand and rocks.  It was about 1.5 - 2" long and it sort of looked like a dog (two ears or antennas in the front and a little tail sticking up at the back).  At first I was excited (I already have lettuce Nudibranchs) until I looked in the Reef Invertebrates and saw the picture of the Pseudoceros sapphrinus. <Looks like that to me too>   It looked very much like that except it didn't have the blue ring around it.  Here's a picture attached (it's the best I could get).  So is it a Nudibranch or a flatworm? <The latter> If it's the latter, how concerned do I have to be? <Mmm, not much... I suspect your tank is large (several tens of gallons in volume) and well-filtered... Should it die, dissolve, likely no problem. I would just enjoy it for now> I've already panicked a few times (for instance, when I first saw the lettuce Nudibranch or a big bristleworm), only to discover they were harmless.  This thing is kind of neat and I think I could tolerate minimum damage to the corals.  But will it grow to plague proportions? <Not likely. I think you have a good mind, attitude toward/re such transients. At least a point of view I share... Bob Fenner>

Funny creature... Flatworm eating copepods 9/1/03 Crew. I have had two of these little things making rounds on my glass.. its fun to watch them.. they almost look like some sort of jelly fish, appears they maybe are feeding on diatoms? <actually a flatworm/Planaria feeding on copepods... quite harmless> I was wondering if you might be able to help me identify it? They shrink and expand their bodies to move around. I don't think it would cause any trouble, but any information is appreciated. Thanks! See image here: http://www.johnslife.com/images/squidly.jpg   Thanks again! John <they wax and wane with the copepod population. Anthony>

Convolutriloba retrogemma flatworms 10/15/03 Hi Crew! Hope your guys and gals are having as much fun as these critters - <more fun than you when you hear what they are at least <G>> they are having a ball in my 2.5 month old 75 gal Reef system. If you could put a name on them I would appreciate it. <they are the pest acoel flatworms known as Convolutriloba retrogemma> I have looked and looked for an ID, but to no avail. <do also search under the name "rust/red-brown Planaria". Much in our archives on this critter and its eradication> Maybe it is the quality of the photo's...attached is mob scene that may help! Thanks for any help and keep up the amazing work. Fly'em High! <they have symbiotic algae, grow fast in high nutrient systems (do consider if you have 10-20X water flow and a very efficient skimmer) and do not eat but rather irritate coral and benthic reef invertebrates. Best of luck, Anthony>

Convolutriloba retrogemma flatworms 10/16/03 Thanks for the quick ID response Anthony. I just read the section on pests in your book and it hit the nail on the head! <very welcome... and no worries, these worms generally wax and wane in aquaria with little or no harm done. They really do hate strong water flow, and in concert with aggressive skimming, they can be easily reduced> As usual this is a self made problem. I have disconnected the display tank from the refugium, which I am moving to the basement along with the sump and all support equipment. I will supply the display via 4 SCWD's feed by a Dolphin 5600 from the sump. The sump has a circulation pump and support equipment used to  condition water from the display via a 55 gal refugium. I hope once the turnover is increased and the supply adequately monitored and massaged, those pesky little creatures will cease and desist. By the way - congratulations on the excellent books and I am anxiously waiting for the next round! <ahhh... thanks again! I am very eager to see the next volume in print too :) Kind regards, Anthony>

Infestation?
Dear Bob,
I have a 120 gallon reef tank that has been set up for little over a year.
It has 100 pounds of Fiji live rock, 4 inches of substrate, 3 shrimp, many many hermits of all sorts, numerous soft and hard corals (both LPS and SPS), two clams, and three fish (2 clowns and 1 yellow tang). I use two 250 W 6500K metal halides for the lighting. Other than the usual waxing and waning of some the animals, and an occasional outbreak of red slime algae on the substrate, the tank appears to be thriving and the chemical parameters seem to be where they should be (no nitrates, stable pH, calcium around 380 ppm, alkalinity about 3.25 meq/l).
My question is this. About two months ago I noticed an outbreak of small (around 1 mm) brownish-orange square-shaped creatures on the substrate and rock. I think they are some sort of Planaria; at least I know they are animals, because when I poke them they move. I see no evidence that they are harming any of the corals or clams in the tank, but they seem to be exploding in numbers. None of the other animals, shrimp or hermits, appear to be eating these things. Should I be concerned or is this just one of those phases in the life of a reef tank? If there is reason to be worried, how would I control these things?
Thanks,
Steve Tiffany
>>
Hmm, I actually Would Be concerned... maybe not so much for the probability that these flatworms (yep, methinks they're some sort of "Planaria" as well) might be/become predatory... but their sheer numbers will affect, make that mal-affect your water quality... But how to get rid of them... most are as palatable as the (blue green red algae you mention... The best starting place is one of the more hardy members of the dragonet/mandarin/psychedelic goby family (Callionymidae)... maybe Synchiropus morrisoni if you can find it... If that doesn't work, keep siphoning... and call me back.
Bob Fenner

Reef infestation
HI Bob, I have a 55G reef tank that has been running successfully for 4 1/2 years now. Tank consists of live rock, and live sand replaced the crushed coral bottom about 2 1/2 years ago. The tank had originally been set up with two 40 W 10,000 K, and two 40 W actinics. In the last six months, I have upgraded to 4 96W power compact setup. Two problems seemed to coincide with this new addition. (1) Since the addition of the new lights, I have seen an ever increasing population of what appears to be brown slugs or shell less snails all over my live rock and sand. They don't appear to be damaging anything, just very unsightly. I have consulted references to try to determine what these are, but to no avail. They are about 1/16" wide, and an eighth of an inch long. Light brown in color, with a red tail end. They propel themselves around on the glass, and hang out in large groups on the bottom of the tank and are scattered throughout. When in groups, they actually look like brown algae covering the sand or rock. I've tried water changes, and just plain sucking them off the rocks on a daily basis for a week, but they just come out of the woodwork again , and multiply. They appear to multiply by division, one splits to create two, two split to create four, etc. So exponential numbers are attainable very quickly. I have thought that something might be available to eat these little buggers, but I don't want to worry about anything being detrimental to the reef and corals. Someone had suggested a long nose Hawkfish, but I haven't tried it yet. I currently have 2 sally light foot crabs, several blue leg hermits, and a couple brittle stars for scavengers, but that's it for inverts. Fish include yellow tang, tomato clown, algae blenny, and gumdrop goby. Please let me know what your recommendation is. System is also running a Turboflotor 1000 skimmer (awesome piece of equipment), and lights are staged for about 10 hrs a day. Whew!!!! 
(Problem 2) Quick one, I promise- Purple and pink coralline algae were also thriving before the addition of the custom sea life PC's. Since then, it has bleached out and only appears to have survived, and is thriving in the shadows. Too much light? I am debating about ordering the same bulbs next time, only in 55 W . My local store has already confirmed these will work with the 96W ballasts. All corals still appear to be doing very well, and propagation is done frequently. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks in advance.
Brad
>>
Thank you for writing and hence being an active part of this forum.
The organisms that you so well describe are no doubt a species of "free-living" Flatworm (Phylum Platyhelminthes, Class Turbellaria)... and can be more than an attractive nuisance... There are a few approaches to their biological control... And I would start with the two most likely to get you results. A couple of Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) or another species of Lysmata... and a member of the dragonet/mandarin/psychedelic goby family (Callionymidae)... my fave is Synchiropus morrisoni... otherwise do keep vacuuming them out when doing water changes.
And the bleaching incident as you mention is very likely due to the light change... and Yes to switching to lower wattage lamps. I'd "unplug" one of your 96W for now... and you do still have the actinics? I'd be running them an hour before and an hour after the one 96W CF twin... on timers... Otherwise, keep up your calcium and alkalinity and the corallines should come back.
Bob Fenner

Orange Dots (likely a Platyhelminth)
Your book and WetWebMedia are the best sources for great information! Thank you for both. 
<You're welcome my friend.>
My reef tank is about 1 year old and doing very well, I think. I have to questions that I was unable to find answers from the web-site or book.
75-gallon tank.
about 60 pound live rock and 60 pound aragonite.
(2) 175 watt MH, 5500 & 10000 (10 hrs/day).
(2) 40 watt NO (12 hrs/day).
turbo skimmer.
(1) magnum 220 with micron filter, use to pump water through UV unit.
18-watt UV unit (12 hrs/day during refugium light cycle).
DIY over-flow box with "Whisper Bio-Bag", replaced weekly.
(2) heaters, one in refugium and the other in the tank.
(2) chemical metering pumps used to feed Kent Tectra CB products separately.
Fed daily from 5-gallon buckets with top-off water (RO/DI).
30-gallon refugium with 10-pounds live rock and 20-pounds aragonite.
(4) 20 watt NO bulbs for refugium, alternate light cycle from tank.
Ca 365 to 400, normal 375 ppm
Alk 3.0 to 3.5, normal 3.25
NO3 less then 1 ppm.
pH 8.2.
Temperature 78F winter and 82F summer.
Specific Gravity 1.0230 to 1.0235, normal 1.0233.
30-gallon water change every 2 to 3 months with RO/DI and Reef Crystals.
Add 1/4 recommended dose of "Seachem" reef iodide and reef plus (to food) weekly.
Foods: Flake, Nori, Krill, Frozen Brine and my homemade recipe, based on your recipe from the "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist".
<Sounds like a very nice system>
My questions!
My mushrooms have orange dots (2mm in size) that cover them, what are they?
<Likely a type of Flatworm (Phylum Platyhelminthes)... and nothing to be overly worked up about... perhaps semi-predatory, but not easily removed, not "that" detrimental... best to leave alone... will likely "disappear" on their own someday soon>
I noticed; today, that they can move around on the mushroom. The mushrooms completely open and seem fine. Is this budding reproduction?
<No>
The only green algae in the tank is bubble algae probably due to the yellow and purple tangs. How can prevent the bubble algae from spreading? 
I have a (matrix?) crab but he is not interested. Coralline algae covers all of the side and back glass.
<There are a few other predators. These are mentioned on the "Marine Algae" control FAQs on our site... otherwise, I would extract what you can by scrubbing the rock involved, ignore the rest.>
My Royal Gramma that is about 1 year old has always appeared to have a white tint over his front purple part, is this a problem that can be corrected?
<Try a cleaner organism here... otherwise no real problem>
Thank you all the questions you have already answered through you book and web-site.
<That's only for today! Many lifetimes worth of material still to go. Bob Fenner>
Robert Burns

Polyclad flatworm question
Hey guys,
<howdy do?>
Let me first thank you all for the hard work you've put into the site. Having only five weeks into the hobby, the information has proven invaluable in both the months before and weeks after setting up my tank. Especially so in helping me selecting appropriate livestock for my skill level and biotope I am attempting to humbly mimic.
<please keep learning and sharing>
So, that being said, I noticed two weeks ago a Polyclad flatworm played stow-away in a chunk of Fiji liverock. I've had a dickens of a time trying to find a match in any of the websites or invertebrate books I've consulted. Unfortunately for me, I don't own a digital camera to send you a picture. The worm is fairly large, about 3.5 inches long and elliptical in shape. The front of the worm is about 1.5inches wide which tapers to about .75-1.0 inches at the back. The worm is a translucent white with brown spots reminiscent of a leopard skin pattern. 
<sounds quite beautiful>
The center of the worm (digestive track?) is solid brown. It seems to be mostly reclusive and diurnal. I'm not so concerned of making a species identification, but rather if it can pose a toxic threat.
<doesn't sound colorful enough to be likely/very toxic>
None of the livestock in the tank has bothered it, nor have I seen it go after any fauna in the tank, including sessile invertebrates of the visible type (since it rarely stops in any one place, I am wondering if I even have the proper micro fauna established for it to feed on).
<exactly... even as harmless, it is unlikely that you will have correct/enough food to support it. Good or bad>
I'd rather leave the flatworm in there and enjoy the brief glimpses I can snatch of it, 
<agreed>
but if it can pose a threat to the health of the tank (including its inevitable demise), I'll attempt an extraction.
<small risk, IMO leave it in peace and watch closely in the meantime>
Thanks in advance for your assistance, Brian Rice
<best regards, Anthony>

Brown Flatworms? - 2/11/03
Hi, <Hello. Paul at your service>
I purchased a small fragment of live rock with a nice growth of red kelp on it yesterday evening and then placed it in my tank after some re-arranging.  Today, I noticed several (like 20 to 30) small flatworm like animals on the substrate and also on the kelp itself. <Probably Planaria.> I had never seen this little creatures before, so I'm not sure if they stowed away on the kelp and rock or if they were simply hiding under my existing rockwork and were disturbed when I re-arranged things.<See here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/flatworms.htm Do any of these seem like the one exhibited in your rockwork? Probably there but again could easily have come on the newly acquired piece. Good argument for quarantine. In any event, I don't think there is anything to worry about here.>
They are less then an 1/8 inch in length, a brownish green color with a red spot or two on them.<yeah, definitely starting to sound more and more like a Planaria type worm>  Should I be concerned about these little hitchhikers? <Not necessarily. They will wax and wane with good flow and water changes. I have had a few to a few hundred at times in my years of reefkeeping. Be sure that they don't inhibit ("smother") your photosynthetic organisms.>  Will they eat the algae or possible harm my current tank inhabitants (a bubble tip anemone, red collared snails, peppermint shrimp, small red reef hermits). <I am fairly sure they will have little impact to your tank inhabitants one way or the other including algae. They come and go.>   Is there anything that would eat the flatworms and leave the other tank inhabitants alone (preferably invert, not looking to add anymore fish)? <Check out the preceding link and also this one as well http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pestflatwrmanthony.htm>  
Thanks! <You're welcome. Good luck!>

Flatworm/Planaria... not the bad kind 6/4/03
Hey there!!
<Howdy-do my aquatic cowgirl! Err... Cheers, I meant to say>
I noticed this critter gliding along the side of one of my tanks which houses a tube anemone, mushroom and a soft coral along with a huge pc of Marshall Island rock. I am guessing it came from the rock but who knows. It is really neat to watch, it glides along the side of my tank and when it encounters bugs on the glass, it scoops them into itself...... any idea what it is and if it is a friend or foe?
<neutral like Switzerland. 'Tis a flatworm/"Planaria" but not the awful Acoel red-brown devils. The white ones simply eat copepods largely. And although copepods are desirable, the worms population simple waxes and wanes with the copepods. They are all eater by most fishes just the same. No worries>
Thanks for any info and the great site!
<our pleasure>
Denise Goodheart
<kind regards, Anthony>

Predatory Polyclad flatworm 6/7/03 Hey guys, <cheers, mate> I've been trying to find out what this thing is for about a month now with no luck.   <no worries... an easy ID> The first sighting was by my wife as she walked out of the bathroom and saw it on the glass.  She woke me up and I took some pictures of it thinking it was some kind of sea slug.   <actually a true flatworm> Since my tank was cycling I was sure that my water conditions would kill it.  About 3 weeks later we returned home late at night, and for some reason I decided to turn the tank lights on to see if there were any nocturnal hitch hikers that I didn't know about (bristle worms, mantis shrimp and stuff like that).  I saw this thing again, but it was much smaller, about half to one-third the size of the first one I saw. <could be the same one... color is paling, and it is slowly starving to death. Such flatworms have very specific predatory diets in the wild> I took some more pictures as it crawled into a hole in my live rock. Someone suggested it is a Polyclad flatworm. Any ideas? Thanks in advance, Kevin <yep... I took a series of photographs of a very similar looking worm for our new Reef Invertebrates books. This species preys on Tridacnid clams and actually resembles the mantle of a T. squamosa. It needs to be removed. See attached pic. Kind regards, Anthony>