Algae/Growth Identification

[rhorn67]

I have something that has been growing on my zoa frag. I thought it was mucus stringy type material but after pulling it out and getting some close ups it looks long thin with a head at the end. It is only on the zoa frag and nothing else. Seems to be growing in and around the individual zoa heads.

Could someone help me identify what this stuff is - Thanks!

 

[reef lover]

I'd say some kind of sponge..give it a good scrubbing and most should come off. Then I'd put it in a higher flow area.

 

[R eef]

Pineapple sponge

 

[R eef]

..potentially a sign of a healthy tank!

 

[rhorn67]

So are sponges good or bad and would they cause the other stuff? Can someone tell me what all of the other stuff is?

 

[rhorn67]

I'd say some kind of sponge..give it a good scrubbing and most should come off. Then I'd put it in a higher flow area.

How would I go about "scrubbing" it? The stuff seems to be coming from in between each of the zoa heads.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I would get some tweezers and pick off everything that's not a zoa.

 

[rhorn67]

How would I go about "scrubbing" it? The stuff seems to be coming from in between each of the zoa heads.

I was hoping you had some miracle dip Will do thanks.

 

[Bowin]

You may already know this but just in case, be sure to be careful scraping and handling them. The toxin they produce is something you don't want to play with. Happy reefing!

 

[rhorn67]

You may already know this but just in case, be sure to be careful scraping and handling them. The toxin they produce is something you don't want to play with. Happy reefing!

I was thinking I will put the coral with some tank water into a separate container to work with. Probably do a coral dip as well while I'm at it.

 

[eyemyeye]

A peroxide dip will help if your looking for miracle dip. I have done this to many of my zoas without a problem.

 

[Bowin]

I was thinking I will put the coral with some tank water into a separate container to work with. Probably do a coral dip as well while I'm at it.

Sounds like a good idea. I was really meaning a danger to your self though. Palytoxin is super dangerous and you don't wanna play around with it. Wear gloves and eye protection if your gonna be fragging, scraping, or picking at your zoas.

 

[rhorn67]

Sounds like a good idea. I was really meaning a danger to your self though. Palytoxin is super dangerous and you don't wanna play around with it. Wear gloves and eye protection if your gonna be fragging, scraping, or picking at your zoas.

No I didn't know that so thank you for the heads up.

 

[rhorn67]

A peroxide dip will help if your looking for miracle dip. I have done this to many of my zoas without a problem.

Never heard of that so I googled and tons of information on it. I think I will do a DP dip while cleaning and hope that helps with whatever I have going on the frag.

 

[1fishjones]

Seeing it's one of the deadliest toxins known to man I can't understand why there aren't more Polly toxin warnings throughout the hobby.

 

[Salty1962]

The Palytoxin is SERIOUS STUFF! I somehow got it in my lungs and was sick for a month I think I popped a bulb of a zoa and inhaled the toxin. I try to warn everyone I read about working around zoas about it. SPREAD THE WORD!!

 

[rhorn67]

The Palytoxin is SERIOUS STUFF! I somehow got it in my lungs and was sick for a month I think I popped a bulb of a zoa and inhaled the toxin. I try to warn everyone I read about working around zoas about it. SPREAD THE WORD!!

Holy cow no joke that's brutal. One more reason I am such a fan of this forum!

 

[rhorn67]

Seeing it's one of the deadliest toxins known to man I can't understand why there aren't more Polly toxin warnings throughout the hobby.

Couldn't agree more!