What is this thing?

Tervill · 02-17-2003, 02:34 PM

Hello everyone,

For the past few days, I have noticed some small red worm-like spots on the walls of my tank. They have little fingers poking out of them, and some have a worm-like finger. The sizes of these things range from 3 to 6 millimeters. Does anyone know what these things might be? Thanks.

Terry

Elmo18 · 02-17-2003, 04:12 PM

Hi, I'm going to need more info here

Do these things move?

Can you give us a pic?

- Elmo

organicreefer · 02-17-2003, 07:27 PM

flatworms maybe?

i agree with elmo-a pic would be nice .

Tervill · 02-18-2003, 12:18 PM

Yes, they appear to be moving. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a digital camera so I can't post any pictures. I removed them from my tank last night anyway because I thought they might be harmfull.

Terry

Elmo18 · 02-20-2003, 03:47 AM

My guess is that you have a red-orange flatworm species. They are harmless in tanks, but their numbers can multiply fast.

- Elmo

**kevinpo** · 02-20-2003, 10:01 AM

At that size 6mm = about 2.5" they are certainly not the common flatworm. Does it look like this?

Regards,
Kevin

organicreefer · 02-20-2003, 12:44 PM

kevin-i saw a white flatworm in my tank refugium that was almost a couple inches

i think it may have been one that eats other flatworms -but i dont know-i havent seen it since.

**kevinpo** · 02-20-2003, 02:10 PM

organicreefer,
Yes flatworms can be large but not the common ones that multiply to cover most of the sandbed and rocks (acoel type). Which I was guessing that someone was referring to in an earlier post. Here is a picture of a large one from my tank.

Regards,
Kevin
PS: It is likely a polyclad or a neorhabdocoel.

**kevinpo** · 02-20-2003, 02:19 PM

Here is a picture of the more common type (acoel) that most people mean when they say flatworm

Regards,
Kevin

organicreefer · 02-20-2003, 02:29 PM

yeah i know kevin -i was just saying

i didnt pay attention to the size when i first responded-the metric system just doesnt seem to register to well with me

doesnt really sound like a bristle worm either though.wish we had a pic to work with.

Tervill · 02-20-2003, 04:23 PM

Thanks for the responces. I don't think they're flatworms.... they don't look like the pictures you guys attached. Thy're more of a red shaped ball with small finger-like projections. I've removed them from my tank and none have returned since. Thanks everyone for the help and advice.

Terry

02-17-2003, 02:34 PM	#1
Tervill Just Moved In Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Posts: 45	What is this thing? Hello everyone, For the past few days, I have noticed some small red worm-like spots on the walls of my tank. They have little fingers poking out of them, and some have a worm-like finger. The sizes of these things range from 3 to 6 millimeters. Does anyone know what these things might be? Thanks. Terry

02-20-2003, 10:01 AM	#6
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,425	At that size 6mm = about 2.5" they are certainly not the common flatworm. Does it look like this? Regards, Kevin Attached Thumbnails __________________ SPSguy On - On

02-20-2003, 02:10 PM	#8
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,425	organicreefer, Yes flatworms can be large but not the common ones that multiply to cover most of the sandbed and rocks (acoel type). Which I was guessing that someone was referring to in an earlier post. Here is a picture of a large one from my tank. Regards, Kevin PS: It is likely a polyclad or a neorhabdocoel. Attached Thumbnails __________________ SPSguy On - On

02-20-2003, 02:19 PM	#9
kevinpo Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Spokane Valley WA Posts: 2,425	Here is a picture of the more common type (acoel) that most people mean when they say flatworm Regards, Kevin __________________ SPSguy On - On

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02-17-2003, 04:12 PM	#2
Elmo18 Governor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,514	Hi, I'm going to need more info here Do these things move? Can you give us a pic? - Elmo

02-17-2003, 07:27 PM	#3
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	flatworms maybe? i agree with elmo-a pic would be nice .

02-18-2003, 12:18 PM	#4
Tervill Just Moved In Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Posts: 45	Yes, they appear to be moving. Unfortunately, I don't have access to a digital camera so I can't post any pictures. I removed them from my tank last night anyway because I thought they might be harmfull. Terry

02-20-2003, 03:47 AM	#5
Elmo18 Governor Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,514	My guess is that you have a red-orange flatworm species. They are harmless in tanks, but their numbers can multiply fast. - Elmo

02-20-2003, 12:44 PM	#7
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	kevin-i saw a white flatworm in my tank refugium that was almost a couple inches i think it may have been one that eats other flatworms -but i dont know-i havent seen it since.

02-20-2003, 02:29 PM	#10
organicreefer Governor Join Date: May 2001 Location: Northern CA Posts: 2,171	yeah i know kevin -i was just saying i didnt pay attention to the size when i first responded-the metric system just doesnt seem to register to well with me doesnt really sound like a bristle worm either though.wish we had a pic to work with.

02-20-2003, 04:23 PM	#11
Tervill Just Moved In Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Posts: 45	Thanks for the responces. I don't think they're flatworms.... they don't look like the pictures you guys attached. Thy're more of a red shaped ball with small finger-like projections. I've removed them from my tank and none have returned since. Thanks everyone for the help and advice. Terry

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