Amphipods Eating My Zoanthids

[Dylan J.]

As tittle say.....I have Amphipods that find my zoanthids a little tasty and it might be because I paid more for them....the have the appetite for more expensive corals I guess haha, Well as soon as I thought I was in the clear and had them under control and all is well. They raised in numbers again and strike. I know everyone one always points to a wrasse or a mandarin, but my question is: Is there an predator of the nocturnal amphipods that will hunt these suckers down at night? I currently have a 6 line wrasse and a fat one he is, I'm convinced that he so fat from snacking on them he just cant eat any more as he use to do. But overall I'm looking for a nocturnal hunter to attack the amphipods when they're most active. A type of snail? slug? shrimp? fish? shrimp? hermit crab? anything?!?! If anyone has any kind of information please share

 

[Eienna]

I'm not at all sure it's the pods causing trouble. I've never heard of coral-eating amphipods.

 

[Dylan J.]

my pars are almost perfect, I do water changed every week and they're 20%-25% changes. They tank has been established for a year and a half. No to minor algae (only diatom algae is present) Running LEDs. Blue lights are ran about 10hrs a day while white are ran 4-5hrs a day

 

[Dylan J.]

I have colonies of many different types of zoas that have thrived with no problems for quiet some time now, but its only at night when u see amphipods on them at night but its to the point theyre not just crawling on them theyre in the middle of the zoas munch a ring around them. then soon the close up and wont open up again then soon will melt. I've caught this happen a couple times now. not just once and they're done to different zoas not just one colony

 

[Dylan J.]

This should shed some light on the subject for people that don't believe me.

 

[SamsReef]

if you are really concerned about the amphipods, you can add green mandarin. Make sure you have a little bit of moon light. Although pods generally consume decaying polyps.

 

[Dylan J.]

I've read that and done plenty of research on them. These polyps haven't had any issues with them. Not fresh fragged or anything. Opened up completely not illnesses or anything. with the green mandarins are they nocturnal??

 

[Tahoe61]

My personal experience only: I have had larger Amphipods munch on zoanthids and some LPS. Not all pods are created equal, it's not hard to believe some might become opportunistic eaters. These Amphipods are too big for Mandarins to eat, other fish like Clowns might be able to eat them. Interceptor worked well for me in dealing with the issue, but it has the potential to kill all Arthropods ie crabs and shrimp.

 

[Dylan J.]

I was thinking about that but nuking my tank would be a pain....I have tons of hermits, snails, purple lobster, peppermint shrimp, and a coral bandit shrimp. so trying to catch them all would be a nightmare. Also I currently have 2 clowns at the moment. And yes these are some big amphipods, we're talking like a quarter inch big

 

[Dylan J.]

luckily its not these amphipods that I have my tank I think I would sht bricks haha

 

[Rob&Gab]

luckily its not these amphipods that I have my tank I think I would sht bricks haha

My hand would never go in the tank again. the PODS would win and he can keep the tank. i Would be done with the hobby.

 

[Dylan J.]

my hand would never go in the tank again. The pods would win and he can keep the tank. I would be done with the hobby.

lol!!!

 

[jgraz]

No one has brought this up but are you sure it's not nudis.

 

[duke4130]

I have had pods do that with my LPS before in the past.... I am a firm believer in natural pest control as I do not like to add any chemicals to my system for unwanted pests. Get a couple of wrasses they will take care of the problem with in a couple of days. Suggestions on wrasses from my experience:

1. Melanurus Wrasse
2. Yellow Coris
3. Leopard wrasses
4. Six line

I have had all of the above. I would definitely say the Melanurus is a top pick but they get big and I am unable to have one in my current system. At the moment I have a six line, sm potters and a yellow coris. The six line is ok but the potters and yellow coris are avid hunters and they keep the tank clean of unwanted pests. They will even grab bristle worms when they can see them.

 

[jokervueboi]

My 2 Six Line wrasse are LAZY. They don't even pick anything, just wait for me to feed them pellets and mixed seafood mush.

 

[Dylan J.]

No one has brought this up but are you sure it's not nudis.

100% sure they aren't nudis, I don't research and google plenty of other ppls photos that have the same thing I have going on and the only common link is amphipods. I searched up and down for nudis. I tried to rule out everything I could possibly be before bringing this up.

 

[Dylan J.]

I have had pods do that with my LPS before in the past.... I am a firm believer in natural pest control as I do not like to add any chemicals to my system for unwanted pests. Get a couple of wrasses they will take care of the problem with in a couple of days. Suggestions on wrasses from my experience:

1. Melanurus Wrasse
2. Yellow Coris
3. Leopard wrasses
4. Six line

I have had all of the above. I would definitely say the Melanurus is a top pick but they get big and I am unable to have one in my current system. At the moment I have a six line, sm potters and a yellow coris. The six line is ok but the potters and yellow coris are avid hunters and they keep the tank clean of unwanted pests. They will even grab bristle worms when they can see them.

totally agree I have no intensions on nuking the tank with chemicals, like I said be4 I have a 6line but hes gotten literally so fat he's just lazy about eating now. He zooms around through out the tank but that it. (this is a 40gallon breeder by the way) but the fish you name are day time fish I'm looking around the lines of nocturnal, something to hit the amphipods when they are most active.

 

[duke4130]

The fish will find them.... Especially when that is what they eat in the wild. I would spend the $30 bucks and get a melanurus wrasse.

 

[mfollen]

I had zoa-eating pod problems too. A mandarin or more pod predators gets the prob fixed.

 

[Dylan J.]

well since I only have a 40gallon breeder I don't want to over load it with fish and at the moment its pretty full but it seems like everyone is always swearing by the melanurus wrasse so I might go for it. just not 100% sure tho