Pods

[Kigs!]

So I'm one of those people now... I think pods were eating my zoas. I always rolled my eyes when one of these threads came up...but last night, I noticed one of my paly polyps' skirts chewed away, and when I flashed the flashlight on it...I saw pods scurrying away from it. Anybody experience this?

Maybe the polyp was on its way down, maybe there's another predator. I highly doubt it since the frag was doing great. No signs of predators on the frag nor any other zoa frags in the tank.

I bought a spotted mandarin to help with the pod predation, but croaked in about 2 days. Now I'm considering scooter blennies since they proved to be tougher from my past experiences...

The polyp w/ the missing skirt had to be xactoed away after 3 days of furan2 dips. It began to melt away and I didn't want to risk future infections. The frags nearby are also seem to closing up, but only thing noticeable are some specks which just seem to be sand.

What are some effective dipping methods out there other than furan2? I know furan2 is mostly for infection, but what other options do I have to check for irritants and predators? For now, I'm placing them under high flow hoping it will blow away whatever is bothering them. Water parameters last time checked was, pH 8.0 ammonia, nitrate, nitrite 0,

 

[Ike]

It's VERY real, and it's one of those things I never would have believed had I not experienced it. PE types are the first targets. But, the good news is I don't think it's their food of choice, it seems like it's just something they go to once the population is too large for a more common food source. When I had the problem last year I was not feeding my tank since I only had a herbivore that wouldn't take prepared foods and a Rainford's goby that wouldn't as well. They were fat and healthy so I just stopped trying to feed them. I added a Mandarin and started feeding Cyclopeeze for the corals and my problems were solved. I also added a Pseudochromis later on and he is constantly scouring the rocks looking for pods as well.

 

[Kigs!]

I have a six line wrasse and I thought that it alone was enough to control the population of pods but I guess I was wrong. I'm seriously considering purchasing a dragonface pipefish once my Mg is upto par.

 

[Ike]

I have a six line wrasse and I thought that it alone was enough to control the population of pods but I guess I was wrong. I'm seriously considering purchasing a dragonface pipefish once my Mg is upto par.

I wouldn't suggest it, there are so few tanks that they are actually suited for. If you don't want to buy another Mandarin because you think they're difficult, stay far far away from any pipefish. If you have any sort of powerhead in the tank, stronger flow from a closed loop, a fish like the Six Line Wrasse, or anything like LPS or Anemones that can sting a pipefish won't work.

 

[Kigs!]

Well I took a chance for buying that mandarin at a LFS known for cheap prices with high selections, but most often poor quality. I figured 9.99 for a spotted mandarin was a risk worth taking.

Aren't pesudos fairly aggresive as well? I'm not a big fan of their physical apperances. Many report success in a mixed reef with pipefish.

All the frags have opened up at the moment after I moved it all the way up, right in front of the powerhead. You are right about the pods going after the PEs first though. They have an expensive taste.

 

[illcssd]

Pseudo's are generally aggresive ime. i have never had a nice one.
I keep a alligator pipefish in my 125 and he seems to be useless for controlling pod's as he is always in the top of the water column begging for mysis.
But, my dragon face have always done well and have even played in the current, the only thing they don't like is sticky anemones. Mine have been fine with a 24+ inch rose forever though.
I really like pipefish, i would seriously consider it if i was you. Try and get a male and female, they breed really easy and supply coral food when they spawn.
fwiw
austin

 

[Kigs!]

I just have to take care of these pesty aiptasia, but as far as any stinging corals go... I only have a 3 headed frogspawn. I'm not sure if my tank can afford a male and a female. What would be the minimum size requirement for these guys? Oh, also Austin, PM sent.

 

[Azurel]

One of the best Psudochromis is the elegant or floppy tail Psudochromis, I had one and was not aggresive at all. Was one of my favorit fish and the colors of them are beautiful......Still don't know what happen to it.....Just disappeared....

 

[Kigs!]

James, did you have them in a large system? I'm thinking that my small size brings out the agression out of almost any fish between other tank mates. I was never a fan of Pseudochromis for some reason...

 

[Azurel]

I had it in a 40g reef, they only get to about 2 1/2'' max......I had it in the tank with 2 gobies, 2 Maldive clowns, and a Mandarin......Had no issues what so ever.....I know most of then tend to be agressive...

 

[illcssd]

I think i would reccomend a 30g for a pair of dragonface, anything less than that just one. I wouldn't worry about your frogspawn, like i said, in my 125, i have a 24+ inch rose and they have never had a problem with it. Or the hammer's or other euphlia i have had. Aiptasia i don't think would provide much risk, as they are usually small, but they are good to get rid of anyways.
In my 24g i keep a pair of mandarin's and they keep the pods basically invisible except in the back. That's all i really know.
fwiw

 

[Kigs!]

Ah cool. Now I just have to locate one...any difficulties in feeding?

 

[illcssd]

I haven't, but i guess i've been lucky sense i have 3 pairs of dragonet's that all eat prepared food. They will eat live brine immediatly, then mix in frozen brine, then all frozen brine, then mix in mysis and cyclopeeze, then all frozen healthy food and your done. Has always worked for me.

 

[Ike]

I haven't, but i guess i've been lucky sense i have 3 pairs of dragonet's that all eat prepared food. They will eat live brine immediatly, then mix in frozen brine, then all frozen brine, then mix in mysis and cyclopeeze, then all frozen healthy food and your done. Has always worked for me.

That's very cool, but your story isn't a typical one IME.

Pseudochromis can be quite mean but I think they often get a bad rap. There are a few that are fairly peaceful and even the more aggressive ones I've found that when added at the right time with the right fish can live in harmony. For instance, my current Springeri was added and I kenw I'd have to be careful about my additions. I added some firefish afterwards but added 3 of them, adding one would have been a really bad idea. Three of them spread the aggression out and after a day or two he gave up messing with them and minded his own business. The last fish I added to my aquarium was a Desjardini Tang and if anything the Pseudochromis mellowed out and took his position as the second in line in the hierarchy of the tank. Overall he's a model citizen and in just about every tank I've had for the last 20 years my favorite fish has been a Pseudochromis. They remind me of really pretty Tanganyikan Cichlids which was my other love for many years. I've even had multiples in larger tanks without issue.

I'm certainly not pushing you towards a Pseudochromis, but they are another possibility to consider. Also, Pipefish should really have a species tank and I'd really like to see the many people that have had success with them in a mixed reef. Like I said before, you're just asking for failure adding them to a tank with a fish like a 6 line wrasse and possibly internal powerheads and heavy flow.

 

[delsol650]

most wrasses will decimate larger pods. I've had 2 previous leopards and fairy wrasses, literally exterminate them...