Montipora Eating Critter?

samba_dad · Dec 21, 2016

I have had a montipora cap and montipora seasons greetings (undata?) recently die very suddenly when they were thriving previously and growing to new rock. I have acropora right next to the montipora that continue to thrive. I remember reading something about montipora eating nudibranchs. Tonight I took this video when feeding the tank. Can anyone help identify this critter and let me know if it is the source of my problem? If so, what is the recommended treatment? The critter appears at about 10 secs into the video in the little cave at the top of the screen. I have dipped every coral that I have ever placed in my tank with CoralRX for 10 minutes. Thanks in advance for the help!

KJ · Dec 21, 2016

Amphipod
Grazers, Omnivores, Scavengers. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rs/index.php

Squid · Dec 21, 2016

The critter appears to be an amphipod, no danger to your coral. Usually with monti eating nudis, you'll see patches of your monti dying as the zoox is being eaten.

stevo01 · Dec 21, 2016

Thats an amphipod. I dont believe thats whats eating your monti's.

samba_dad · Dec 21, 2016

Wow! Amphipods get that big? This thing is about the size of a rubber eraser on a pencil.

stevo01 · Dec 21, 2016

Man, you all are fast! Lol

KJ · Dec 21, 2016

samba_dad said:
Amphipods get that big?

YES

stevo01 · Dec 21, 2016

samba_dad said:
Wow! Amphipods get that big? This thing is about the size of a rubber eraser on a pencil.

Thats nothing lol.

KJ · Dec 21, 2016

stevo01 said:
Thats nothing lol.

samba_dad · Dec 21, 2016

Well then...I don't know what is eating my montipora. I bought some more Coral RX and was planning on dipping all my live rock again tomorrow. Anything else I should try? I am pretty certain this is not a light, flow or water chemistry issue. I have lots of SPS growing just fine in this tank right next to the newly dead montipora.

Roboson · Dec 21, 2016

stevo01 said:
Thats nothing lol.

To be fair, that's an isopod.

Edit: [emoji33][emoji33][emoji33][emoji33] it's not an isopod. That's HORRIFYING.

KJ · Dec 21, 2016

KJ · Dec 21, 2016

samba_dad said:
Well then...I don't know what is eating my montipora. I bought some more Coral RX and was planning on dipping all my live rock again tomorrow. Anything else I should try? I am pretty certain this is not a light, flow or water chemistry issue. I have lots of SPS growing just fine in this tank right next to the newly dead montipora.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/vermetid-snails-harm-coral-reefs-with-multiprong-attack
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

samba_dad · Dec 21, 2016

KJ said:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/vermetid-snails-harm-coral-reefs-with-multiprong-attack
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-01/rs/index.php

Thank you! I have ordered some reef-safe epoxy to start covering up those vermetid snails. Hopefully that will make my tank safe for montipora again.

KJ · Dec 21, 2016

samba_dad said:
Thank you! I have ordered some reef-safe epoxy to start covering up those vermetid snails. Hopefully that will make my tank safe for montipora again.

YW

And super glue work to on vermetid snails.

samba_dad · Dec 29, 2016

I have successfully epoxied over all visible vermetid worms. Hopefully that solves the problem from them.

I do have another critter question. I have attached a video showing some wormlike creatures coming out from my live rock when I am feeding. This is also a relatively recent issue for me and coincides with my montipora coral dying. The critters look like part of a bristleworm but they are clearly striped and I thought bristleworms were more solid colored. I don't have much experience with any of these critters. Please help me ID these creatures and let me know if this is something else I need to worry about. If so, how do I remove them?