Dying zoa questions

katsreef · Jan 15, 2023

My one zoas were not getting enough light for a while. Afraid it may be too late? They are in better light now but unfortunately are dying. They are withering away and the amphipods are taking a liking to the zoas and eating the flesh further. I dipped them today and some of the damaged polyps even came off completely. I don’t have pics of them after the dip but here are the before pics. I now put them in even better lighting.

3 questions:
1. How do I know when this zoa has fully died?
2. If some polyps have fallen off but others remain, could it survive?
3. If yes, do I have to cut away the damaged polyps or anything like that or just let nature run it’s course?

bushdoc · Jan 15, 2023

"
1. How do I know when this zoa has fully died?
2. If some polyps have fallen off but others remain, could it survive?
3. If yes, do I have to cut away the damaged polyps or anything like that or just let nature run it’s course?"

Do not know the answer-time will tell
Yes, others may survive
I would not cut away polyps

I had to brake down my tank recently due to majano infestation, smothering many corals including some zoas.
I thought they were dead, but they are thriving now and so some of my other corals I managed to frag.
Suggest increasing slowly intensity of your lights as you may burn your zoas.
If corals are stressed too much, dipping might stress them even more. I do understand that you may want to prevent bacterial infection-just saying.
Word of caution-some zoas may have potent poison ( palytoxin), that's why I do not recommend cutting away polyps. If you do so, wear gloves at minimum.

katsreef · Jan 15, 2023

bushdoc said:
"
1. How do I know when this zoa has fully died?
2. If some polyps have fallen off but others remain, could it survive?
3. If yes, do I have to cut away the damaged polyps or anything like that or just let nature run it’s course?"

Do not know the answer-time will tell

Yes, others may survive

I would not cut away polyps

I had to brake down my tank recently due to majano infestation, smothering many corals including some zoas.
I thought they were dead, but they are thriving now and so some of my other corals I managed to frag.
Suggest increasing slowly intensity of your lights as you may burn your zoas.
If corals are stressed too much, dipping might stress them even more. I do understand that you may want to prevent bacterial infection-just saying.
Word of caution-some zoas may have potent poison ( palytoxin), that's why I do not recommend cutting away polyps. If you do so, wear gloves at minimum.

Okay I will hold out hope for them and not cut them. I'll let nature run it's course then. They hadn't been getting enough light for a long time and I just added a second light with acclimation mode for a few weeks. I shortened the acclimation mode today though since they have been deprived of light for so long. Thanks for the help!