Ohio Reef

Reef Discussion => Pests, Nudsiance Algae and Prevention => Topic started by: Reefd Up on April 05, 2009, 02:05:40

Title: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: Reefd Up on April 05, 2009, 02:05:40

Found this bugger on an acropora today after the frag swap (notice, it's 2 am...and I'm still up doing fragswap stuff.)  Any ideas?  Looks similar to AEFW, but I'm not sure. 

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi258.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh254%2FReef-d_Up%2FFrag%2520Swaps%2F100_7630.jpg&hash=6ed38e01aac0f267275cf2c2ba06930202355657)
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi258.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh254%2FReef-d_Up%2FFrag%2520Swaps%2F100_7634.jpg&hash=ceaa6f569c209874f7456420a09108149f7a6a5f)

And, figured I'd post this sps-eating starfish while I'm here (found today as well):
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi258.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fhh254%2FReef-d_Up%2FFrag%2520Swaps%2F100_7639.jpg&hash=148383d3aadaa6fdd3b0b7dfe430031ccbb82ffb)

Title: Re: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: verper on April 05, 2009, 08:53:41

I think (and I could be wrong) that it is a normal flatworm.  I had some of those about 2 years ago and they were mostly on the glass and never reproduced like the solid rust colored ones.  They were clear with the rust colored dot and very tiny rust colored "freckles".  That and it looks like it has a forked tail.  I believe the AEFW are oval.   Those are the key things I saw in your pics.

Also, are you sure about the starfish?  They came on several of my frags from different swappers.

Title: Re: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: Reefd Up on April 05, 2009, 09:09:40

That same SPS that the starfish came on did seem to have some jagged bite marks on the bottom, but I didn't see the starfish actually on it.  When in doubt, get it out.  :)

Title: Re: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: verper on April 05, 2009, 09:41:31

I hear you.  I trashed mine also, but didn't know if you had a secret way of telling.  ;)

Title: Re: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: Reefd Up on April 05, 2009, 18:44:23

Not yet.  They looked exactly like some I'd seen personally before eating SPS...so...yeah.

The lil bugger turns out to be "an isopod in the family sphaeromatidae. All sphaeromatids are presumed to be micro-grazers and harmless."  We're safe!

http://www.crustacea.net/crustace/isopoda/www/sphaerom.htm (http://www.crustacea.net/crustace/isopoda/www/sphaerom.htm)

Title: Re: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: verper on April 05, 2009, 19:31:11

Woo Hoo!

Title: Re: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: reefman on April 06, 2009, 18:18:45

Did you look here?

http://www.melevsreef.com/aefw.html (http://www.melevsreef.com/aefw.html)

Title: Re: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: Reefd Up on April 06, 2009, 19:15:01

Been to that site a million times over...but it's not AEFW.  It is a sphaeromatid...no big deal.

Title: Re: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: aquavista99 on April 07, 2009, 00:10:04

AKA sand skaters

http://melevsreef.com/id/pods.html (http://melevsreef.com/id/pods.html)

Title: Re: AEFW...to be or not to be...what is it?
Post by: Reefd Up on April 07, 2009, 06:37:31

I wish I had kept him now...but better safe than sorry!