control of flatworms in marine aquarium

May 29, 1999
From: Roger

I recently started a reef aquarium and have just discovered a large number or red flatworms on the glass. One reference book describes the type of worm as Convolutriluba and says it can multiply and suffocate my coral life. How can this be controlled or eliminated? Are there chemical treatments, natural predators or other solutions?

Roger

Roger-jeff@msn.com

Dear Roger,
I am not an aquarium expert, but there are many small flatworms which will eat corals sponges and soft-corals. One genus of sea slugs (Chelidonura) love to eat these flatworms but the sea slugs unfortunately are not commercially available and are not abundant enough to commercially 'fish'. Have a look at the page on Chelidonura varians for some background information on one of the slugs, and look at some of the previous messages, which are below your message on the page, for some of the discussion which has already occurred.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (May 29). Comment on control of flatworms in marine aquarium by Roger. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/893

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