Hydroids on SPS

[nc208082]

Hello All,
Looking to see if anyone has some more info on this. I believe they are Zanclea Hydroids,
http://reefbuilders.com/2012/03/22/zanclea-hydroid-acropora/

After my own research there doesn't appear to be a lot of info about them and their eradication. I've read some say try a bayer dip, others say an iodine dip such as lugols and some other people say they will disappear on their own and even some to suggest stop feeding to starve them.
At first they were located only on 1 acro, they were not spreading and not multiplying but I've now discovered they have made their way over to a second acro and I would like to find out what to do to rid these. They do not appear to be killing the acro but I think they might be affecting polyp extension.

Any help would be appreciated on this subject.
Thank you n advance.

Here is a pic of the first affected piece.

 

[143MPCo]

@twilliard might be able to help.

 

[twilliard]

Do they retract when touched?
Do they extend any longer than that?

Is your tank sps dominate?
Sorry for all the questions it will help me figure out treatment.
Thanks!
Todd

 

[nc208082]

No they do not retract when I touch them
They have always stayed the same length approx 1/4" even at lights out
And yes it is a SPS dominated tank.

 

[twilliard]

Those will be a tough one!
They are particulate feeders.
I have not seen those for many years.
Its true you can starve them but that double edge sword will starve your acros.
I would have to research that name to understand the digestive system and family to see if fenbendazol will work, but as of right now I am unsure if will be effective with that species.
I will get right on this issue

 

[nc208082]

Wow Thanks Twilliard that is very kind of you.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

At first they were located only on 1 acro, they were not spreading and not multiplying but I've now discovered they have made their way over to a second acro and I would like to find out what to do to rid these. They do not appear to be killing the acro but I think they might be affecting polyp extension.

I've seen these on hundreds of maricultured Acro colonies. My guess is that they all came from the same farm; an area with enough particulate matter in the water for them to feed off of. Once imported I watched them die off over time, every time. I've never seen [or heard] of them spreading to other colonies, however. Very interesting observation. IME the hydroids don't have enough food in the water column to continue filter feeding over time. I've never held up on feeding to rid of them, but I don't feed any powdered foods (if you do I would halt that temporarily). IME no common dips eradicated them.

Interested to read twilliard's findings too.

 

[saltyphish]

I concur dips seem to have little to no effect on them. At least traditional dips (Bayer, coral rx, revive, and freshwater)

 

[nc208082]

I was feeding Reef Chili so I will cut that out, I also use amino acids and Pohls Extra should I discontinue that as well to starve them or will that have any affect?

As a side note I did increase feedings of Reef Chili over past couple weeks to help my sps and I assume this could have caused them to start to spread.

 

[Squishie89]

If you can, I would strongly suggest moving the affected corals to a quarantine tank. It sounds like you might be unfortunate soul like me who is really good at breeding hydroids. Definitely cut out as much micro food as you can, feed your fish their mysis, but none of the coral food.

 

[dankreef]

If you don't have any polyps type off stuff like zoas and xenia, i've used fenbendazol in my tank before, doesn't affect sps. Not sure if it will eradicate it but it takes care of other stuff like that. The article you linked suggests they do no harm to coral. I'd probably just take those 2 pieces out and start experimenting Or cut down on feeding as they seem to need a large amount of food to survive. Possibly change to just mysis for a bit to see if they start going away. Post updates !

 

[kacrocorals581]

If that's a new mariculture acro they should die out in time we don't have the food supply in our tanks as they do in the ocean so they usually die off in time.

 

[nc208082]

Problem is its not a new mariculture piece. I got it from another reefer in march of this year so I've had it in my tank for 6 months and he had it for a while as well. What kind of time frame would I bee looking for these to die off? From what I've seen it is getting worse since I stepped up coral feedings.

The general consensus I'm seeing is cut out the feeding of corals for the next while to help starve out the main tank,
Put these two pieces in a QT to monitor and prevent further spreading.
Most dips won't do anything to affect these. It is not a bug which will fall off, it has attached itself onto the acro always near the corallite. I'm assuming it does this to steal the food the acro may be gathering.

 

[twilliard]

Hi well the closest match I have found is the zanclea implexa
It has the same simple digestive system.
Fenbendazol works wonders on hydroids when dosed properly
That is one route you can go but not knowing all your I inhabitants I would to a dip with fenbendazol if they are localized.

 

[nc208082]

Thanks i will look into that. Do you have a link to any directions on how to dip with that. As well as where I can purchase that?
Thanks

 

[twilliard]

Well dip instructions would come from me.
If you can find it I posted a thread about what it is and the use (besides dosing)
Dosing instructions are explicit to ones needs.
Just look up in the search *fenbendazol*
I am happy to assist you any way I can

 

[nc208082]

Thanks Twilliard I will be pm'ing you soon

 

[twilliard]

Thank you!
There are some details I left out because if this is used wrong it can be detrimental

 

[ritter6788]

I was feeding Reef Chili so I will cut that out, I also use amino acids and Pohls Extra should I discontinue that as well to starve them or will that have any affect?

As a side note I did increase feedings of Reef Chili over past couple weeks to help my sps and I assume this could have caused them to start to spread.

I had a hydroid outbreak using Reef Chili too. When I cut it out they died off. If I use the Reef Chili again they come back. Same with Coral Frenzy.

 

[twilliard]

I had a hydroid outbreak using Reef Chili too. When I cut it out they died off. If I use the Reef Chili again they come back. Same with Coral Frenzy.

It takes a lot to kill these off.
Cut the food source and the will shrink back but the base doesn't die.
They can live quite a long time without food but your tank will pay the price.