Certain zoa colonies not opening (photos)

Gatling · Oct 13, 2019

Hi all, I have a year old nano tank and a few of my zoas aren't opening or partially open. I've carefully inspected them and I just cannot find any pests. My orange oxide has 3 heads and they've been closed for a few weeks now but still alive from the colouration. Same with another colony but it's partially closed. My other zoas are wide open so I'm sure it's not a water parameter issue.

Is there a general dip I should use if the zoas are not happy? Like j said I can't see any pests with my eyes or magnifying glass.

What other kinds of pests should I keep an eye out? I couldn't visibly see any nuttibronks or spiders.

VKP01 · Oct 13, 2019

I would keep an eye out for zoa pox. It would show up as yellowing, or kinda fuzzy white spots. You could preemptively treat for it, it shouldn’t be too stressful

Gatling · Oct 16, 2019

VKP01 said:
I would keep an eye out for zoa pox. It would show up as yellowing, or kinda fuzzy white spots. You could preemptively treat for it, it shouldn’t be too stressful

I just did a coral RX dip. I couldn't see anything up close! It's really strange. Since I nuked these corals, I'm gonna put them in my other tank and see if they prefer that

Gatling · Oct 17, 2019

Upon later inspection, I see some sort of worm/tube thing in the zoa! It's so incredibly small. What could this be? I can't find any info on it

(In the lower right polyp area)

Jamesrup0411 · Oct 17, 2019

Aptasia?

VKP01 · Oct 17, 2019

Looks like a tiny feather duster to me! They’re very common and completely harmless.

Gatling · Oct 17, 2019

VKP01 said:
Looks like a tiny feather duster to me! They’re very common and completely harmless.

That's what I'm thinking. I know they're harmless but the fact that my zoas are 80% closed has me suspect that this guy is causing the issue. I actually dipped the whole thing in coral RX for 10min. Surprised that didn't die!

The Aquatic Arsenal · Oct 17, 2019

I dip in Lugol's Iodine for 15 mins when I am having issues with zoas

VKP01 · Oct 17, 2019

I’ve never had any issues with them, the most it would do is irritate the polyps directly next to it IMO, but if you want to remove it you would simply need to break off the tube.