AEFW eggs on new frag

[ChristopherKriens]

I received a frag of Green Planet (Acropora) this morning and it looks like there are AEFW eggs on the underside of the plug. I scraped the eggs off and rinsed the plug in freshwater, and then dipped the whole coral in Seachem Reef Dip. I wasn't sure what to do as I've never had these before, so I placed it in an isolated, low flow area in my sump.

The display has plenty of acropora that are doing well, so obviously I don't want to risk spreading it. Are the flatworms going to make their way up into the display? I have QT tanks, but nothing that's established enough for acros right now. For those that have had these before, what do you recommend? Keep in the sump and dip every few days? Set up a quarantine? Toss it?

 

[jduck]

Better off risking frag dying than infect whole tank.

 

[Dowtish]

Cut the coral from the plug and throw the base away, and make sure it doesnt have any AEFW on it before putting it in your tank if you dont have a QT.

 

[-Logzor]

I would recommend removing that frag from your tank immediately and putting into a QT system. If you don't have a QT system then either toss the frag or dip it on a regular basis to prevent the AEFW from spreading. It's not really worth ruining your entire stock of acros by saving that one frag. I agree with the other comments, cut off the base entirely and then reglue the remainder of the coral, then dip.

 

[ChristopherKriens]

I will cut the coral and put onto a fresh plug and move this to my fish quarantine and dip/observe. It's not the most stable environment, but if I lose it I lose it. Thanks for the advice, and putting it in perspective.

 

[-Logzor]

I will cut the coral and put onto a fresh plug and move this to my fish quarantine and dip/observe. It's not the most stable environment, but if I lose it I lose it. Thanks for the advice, and putting it in perspective.

I think your fish QT will be a great spot for it temporarily. Just check and make sure your alkalinity in there is a above 8 and calcium is in check and the coral should survive, but might brown out. I would maybe wait a day or two after the cutting before dipping it again, as to not stress it out too badly.

 

[watchguy123]

It's complicated, when in doubt, I consider discarding the frag even when it is an expensive piece. However, I assume every frag is likely infected anyway so there are measures to take . Like you, I inspect every new frag. I always remove the frag from its existing plug because eggs are most likely found at the base and I discard the plug. I always dip in Bayer and quarantine should be routine. In my experience most acropora frags do not tolerate fresh water dips (usually RTN in my experience) so I never do that. If you don't have a quarantine tank then that is obviously not an option for you but you can do everything else or discard the frag

 

[Eric B]

If you cut frag off the plug and put on a new plug then you should be good as aefw don't lay eggs on living coral tissue. You can also search the forums here for Bayer dip as I dip all coral in this now instead of anything else. I also cut all frags off plugs and dip in Bayer then glue onto new plugs and into my system. I soak the old plugs in either straight peroxide or vinegar for a week or so then wash in hot water then back in my supply.

 

[ChristopherKriens]

The frag has been clipped and moved to the 20G quarantine. I'm running a Prazipro treatment in there now, so hopefully that will help force these guys into submission. Once I got it into the right light, there was clear evidence of the adults.

 

[RalphsReef]

Where did the frag come from? Looks like you may have averted disaster.

 

[Aquaph8]

When in doubt I throw it out, Im paranoid!

 

[SeanM]

Don't forget to let the person know they are infested with the aefw's.

 

[feh]

When in doubt I throw it out, Im paranoid!

No doubt...

 

[john90009]

yeah deff not something you want in a tank connected to a display

 

[Chameleon]

yep sure was infected...hope it was just the previous owner/vendors tank but with that much damage on such a young frag I really hope its not one of ORA's tanks

 

[Genesis Corals]

I have tossed my share of frags, just not worth it to me.

 

[ChristopherKriens]

Where did the frag come from? Looks like you may have averted disaster.

Don't forget to let the person know they are infested with the aefw's.

This is straight from LiveAquaria Diver's Den.

 

[spscrazy]

this is so upsetting Divers den is one of my top vendors that I trusted I know you are supposed to assume anything you get from anyone should be considered suspect and that mistakes happen but still unsettling hope your frag pulls thru and that nothing got in the dt