AEFW

[charleslotz]

As this is such a hot topic and I as many others have suffered from the same problem, I would like to offer an unproven somewhat substantiated , solution that worked for me.... Here is how I whent by it....

Aefw is a pain especially for those 100+ Dollar frags... This is how I solved my issue and how I have managed to control the death of my acro's.

products used .... Nothing new about those.
1) revive
2) super glue
3) basting tube

I found and many have contributed to confirm , quarantine and dip seven times in seven day intervals is the tried and tested method.

Many of of us have coral encrusted on live rock,... So dipping becomes a challenge... I noticed a specific milli did was not being attached the only difference was it had an acro crab. Long story short it seemed that this might have some significance I was running out of options so I thought to try an experiment in a small chamber in my sump. Were I put the effected acro and added a acro crab to the isolated acro, it had clear strings of eggs and a colidiscope of spots.... I purposely did not baste , glue or dip the coral to see if the crab made a difference. Over 3 weeks the coral started recovering , eggs were no longer present and color returned to the acro, i regurly inspected the coral, was amazed to see that the crab was picking at the eggs, ( no factual information that he was actually eating them) ..... Besides the usual picking ..... I now have a second and third infected coral in the sump... Undergoing the same treatment... Just added today... I realize there are many factors that could have effected the result.... But perhaps a worthwhile experiment for someone... To test the merit of the result...in a controlled environment....

Im not inviting debate or trolls just an observation that could have some merit and a shared idea from a stick lover ... And needs one of the experts to evaluate its merits ....

 

[Rob.D]

Thanks for sharing your experience, acro crabs have been proven to protect thier host corals from AEFW'S to crown of thorn stars.

 

[hatfielj]

Well I think your observations make a lot of sense. Obviously these worms have natural predators in the ocean otherwise they would be taking over and killing huge populations of coral. Acro crabs clearly play a role in protecting the coral from such threats. Its very cool you got to see it first hand in your tank

 

[slicko]

i also did the same with an acro with acro crab and the crab did not eat the eggs or the flatworm on the peice just to throw a spanner in the works for you.

 

[Tapio]

i also did the same with an acro with acro crab and the crab did not eat the eggs or the flatworm on the peice just to throw a spanner in the works for you.

Perhaps different species of crabs and or worms. Same species crabs like fishes may have different tastes. Speculation upon speculation....

 

[charleslotz]

The two pieces in the sump , Seem to be ok no noticeable improvement or have not seen the crab eathing the flatworm , he is picking but difficult to see if it's the flatworm or slime he is eating.... Eggs are at the base and backside of the coral ,... Think time will tell.... Keep you posted .... I have glued the STN and visible eggs to stop the progression,... If it progresses it's likely it's just a fluke if it stops could have at least a plausible speculation..