Wrasse loading to fight Flat Worms

[Mike]

Last week I discovered the dreaded AEFW! I was wondering what was making these little bite marks and I first though it was a blue eyed crag. SO I elminated those from the tank. Then I thoght it was the burgess....nope they never pick. Then I picked up my Soli and found three of those *******s on the underside. Needless to say I dipped every piece in hte tank in TMC dip. My only guess is I missed some eggs when I added some of these.

That gets me to the fish part. I am wrasse loading the tank . My Chaoti did not make it but the blue star leopard did. I also added a pair of Koi fairy wrasses, a Baleautus, tricolored, exquisite, and a pair of jordani (one female and one sub-male). There is now a female melanarus, a twelve line, a six line, and the mustery as well.

Today I redipped every coral. only found a couple egg patches that I scraped off with a scalpel, and 8 flat worms when the corals were dipped.

[Rabidgoose]

I have been battling them as well. While I am winning the fight the paranoia remains. I also used TMPCC until Andy mentioned Prazipro, a dip in this will have them screaming and shriveling up before your eyes.... I do one capful in a gallon of water for 15 minutes and then inspect and scrape off the eggs.

HTH.......chuck.....good luck

[Mike]

Where can one find these deadly brew!!!!!!

[Mike]

I am also adding a male melanarus to the mix for continued control patrol

[Rabidgoose]

Most LFS I believe. It is actually a med for fish to remove flukes,FW's, tapeworms... Perhaps test with a shorter timed dip to get results. I do not add it to the tank....My FW's are on my bonsai and I am not sure about the sensitivity of other acros....

Originally Posted by Mike

Where can one find these deadly brew!!!!!!

[Mike]

mine have been on corals with short polyps and polyps that are spaced further apart like on a suhoursonia

[Manoj's Reef]

AFEW is always bad and challenging. The unfortunate thing is that they blend into the coral and you cant see unless they move. The only thing you notice is bite marks.

People have used the below treatment and have had great success:

you will have to treat all acros and millis as well, and yes milis do get affected by AFEW's

The dip is betadine you can get it from Walmart for 10 dollars.

Step 1 - 3ml betadine per liter of tank water
Step 2 - Dip for 25 min
Step 3 - Gently dust the corals with your turkey baster
Step 4 - Scrape all eggs away that are visible
Step 4 - Wash the coral in tank water
Step 5 - Place it back in tank

You will have to repeat the above process once every week for 3 weeks. Then follow 3 more treatments 2 weeks apart. This will ensure that you have caught all AFEW's.

The corals will loose color during this time but will recover. It will take about 4-5 weeks for the corals to color back up.

I hope it helps.

[Mike]

Mine have been dipped 3 times since I found them last week. I am taking no chances. I eggs are pretty easy to find now and I can even see the flat worms without them moving at all beause there is a slight color variation at the borders of the worm and the corals. Some of my corals have actually colored back up since I started this process.

[schminksbro]

Prazipro will work wonders. I don't recommend in-tank treatments though. As a dip it is quite effective. I have dipped many acros and montis with no ill effects. Betadine or Iodine seem to be far too harsh and not as effective. TMPCC is simply an Iodine solution and a watered down one at that. I would go with Prazipro or at minimum Revive.

[Mike]

Alright I will try the Prazipro then!