Rust Brown Flatworm
Convolutriloba retrogemma
Saltwater Invertebrate
Species Group: Worms
Family: Flatworm
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About Rust Brown Flatworm
General information
The Rust Brown Flatworm is a tan, brown, or rust-colored flatworm that belongs to the Family Platyhelminthes. It can grow up to 1/4″, is oval-shaped, and has two tail-like appendages at its posterior part of the body. It is considered a pest in the aquarium especially when it is rich in nutrients, it can grow rapidly and increase in number drastically.
Diet & nutrition
This acoel feeds mainly on zooxanthellae from coral tissue leading to the corals' destruction. It can also feed on small invertebrates such as copepods and rotifers.
Breeding & spawning
The number of rust brown flatworm increases naturally when the aquarium is nutrient-filled. It can reproduce either sexually (by laying eggs) or asexually (by budding and binary fusion) or fragmentation where new parent organisms are formed from fragments of the body parts of the flatworm.
Diseases
This flatworm is one of the "diseases" of the aquarium when it is nutrient-rich. The best way to control its propagation is through prevention. The nutrient level in the aquarium must be kept low while the water flow, protein skimming and use of carbon must be increased.
Origination
The rust brown flatworm is native from Cuba.
Cautions
It is sensitive to changes in water chemistry and its life expectancy is short.
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