Black growths on zoa frag ID

[dzeleski]

I have a zoa frag that doesnt want to open very much. It has these 3 black encrusted things growing near them. They seem to have 2 little antennae sticking out at times. Are these vermintide snails/worms? If yes what is my best option, pull the frag out and break these guys off? Crazy glue them? I assume this is also the reason these zoas dont want to open?

Thanks!

 

[SaltyT]

Pull the frag and scrape those things off. I’d also dip the frag in something like Coral Rx to remove some of the algae growing between the polyps.

 

[dzeleski]

Pull the frag and scrape those things off. I’d also dip the frag in something like Coral Rx to remove some of the algae growing between the polyps.

Removed them. Does Coral Rx remove alage? Ive just been dipping in 50/50 peroxide/tank water. Tank is still new and had a bit of a phos issue for a few weeks before I got it back under control. Much of the GHA is starting to turn gray and die.

 

[SaltyT]

Coral Rx will remove the loose algae, but it weakens algae making it easy to pull off. I think peroxide would weaken the algae too. After dipping I use a pair of tweezers to gently pull the algae from between the polyps then dip it again to get any loose pieces off.