Chuck Spyropulos
Non-member
I thought that I got lucky when I got rid of all of the colonies (10 new acro colonoes bought this year) that had flatworms or their eggs. I was wrong. I felt really bad tonight when I discovered these worms on a Greg Hiller colony that I have had for 5 years that grew from a 2 inch frag to an magnificent 11 inch colony. I also lost a Larry Jackson colony that was also infested. This colony was previously healthy for the last 5 years and was one of my first colonies again from Greg. These colonies were so tough that the RTN experience I had last year did not even phase them....they were my "rocks"
So it seems that the worms are continuing to ravage my tank. Also, my prostrata is infested with the worms but is not totally gone yet . So far my ORA blue millepora and my pink millepora look awesome with vibrant bright colors.....I will really be derpressed when these beauties sucumb to the worms. I also have some rare $80 to $100 acro frags that are ok so far, but I do not know how long they will continue to do well.
The only remedy so far, is that my Heniocous Butterflies love to eat the worms. My Goldflake angel also likes them. The remedy, not cure, is to strongly siphon water over all of my existing colonies. The worms blow off really easy with a turkey baster, but I think a small pump might be less tedious. The fish go crazy over these worms once in the water column and they are used to the turkey baster since this is how I normally feed them.
I guess I am now expecting the worst....I will not be surprised if I lose every acro colony in my tank. These worms are the worst thing so far in this hobby. No they are not like pests on flowers, rather they kill acros swiftly, with no known chemical to kill them, they lay eggs in heavy clutches and multiply swiftly. If u get them, say good bye to your tank, or at least your acros....I am. I have no reason but to expect the worst. I can't even frag any of my mother colonies.....who would take them and hold them for me knowing my tank is infested with parasitic flatworms? Any volunteers?
My advice is to not trade or buy acros from anyone unless you are sure that they have been propagating acros in a closed system. In other words, the propagator has many old colonies that have been fragged for years, has not introduced any new colonies and who quarantines any new aquisitions on the rare occasion that he does "open" his tank to attack. The only propagator I know of who you can buy acros from safely locally is Greg Hiller. In talking with him last week he mentioned that he rarely introduces any new frags or mother colonies into his "closed" system. This substantiall lowers the risk for the acropora buyer.
I am sorry to anyone who has gotten these worms from me. Believe me, if I had any knowledge that my system was infected, I would never have sold or traded any corals. This is a plague that needs to be addressed if keeping acropora will continue to be a viable hobby. YES it is THAT BAD. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't.
Well, I guess I will ask for any advice although I don't expect any miracle cure...We all would have heard about it by now. I am in complete misery over this....my once gorgeous tank is dying.
So it seems that the worms are continuing to ravage my tank. Also, my prostrata is infested with the worms but is not totally gone yet . So far my ORA blue millepora and my pink millepora look awesome with vibrant bright colors.....I will really be derpressed when these beauties sucumb to the worms. I also have some rare $80 to $100 acro frags that are ok so far, but I do not know how long they will continue to do well.
The only remedy so far, is that my Heniocous Butterflies love to eat the worms. My Goldflake angel also likes them. The remedy, not cure, is to strongly siphon water over all of my existing colonies. The worms blow off really easy with a turkey baster, but I think a small pump might be less tedious. The fish go crazy over these worms once in the water column and they are used to the turkey baster since this is how I normally feed them.
I guess I am now expecting the worst....I will not be surprised if I lose every acro colony in my tank. These worms are the worst thing so far in this hobby. No they are not like pests on flowers, rather they kill acros swiftly, with no known chemical to kill them, they lay eggs in heavy clutches and multiply swiftly. If u get them, say good bye to your tank, or at least your acros....I am. I have no reason but to expect the worst. I can't even frag any of my mother colonies.....who would take them and hold them for me knowing my tank is infested with parasitic flatworms? Any volunteers?
My advice is to not trade or buy acros from anyone unless you are sure that they have been propagating acros in a closed system. In other words, the propagator has many old colonies that have been fragged for years, has not introduced any new colonies and who quarantines any new aquisitions on the rare occasion that he does "open" his tank to attack. The only propagator I know of who you can buy acros from safely locally is Greg Hiller. In talking with him last week he mentioned that he rarely introduces any new frags or mother colonies into his "closed" system. This substantiall lowers the risk for the acropora buyer.
I am sorry to anyone who has gotten these worms from me. Believe me, if I had any knowledge that my system was infected, I would never have sold or traded any corals. This is a plague that needs to be addressed if keeping acropora will continue to be a viable hobby. YES it is THAT BAD. Don't let anyone tell you it isn't.
Well, I guess I will ask for any advice although I don't expect any miracle cure...We all would have heard about it by now. I am in complete misery over this....my once gorgeous tank is dying.
. 
