Random, Large-scale Zoa Polyp Death

[Jonathan Presseau]

It seems that the rare zoas will last in captivity (even thrive and grow) for a month or 2 and then boom - dead.

 

[TheEngineer]

There are so many variables to understand.

How many zoa's do you have? I have 75-100 in my zoa garden (only zoas). When this happens to me it is only 1 colony at a time and it is usually the higher end zoa's. My last zoas to melt were all rare (Krak Gods, etc.).

I have told myself that these are rare because they are not meant for captivity.

This is a zoa tank. I probably have 300 or more polyps.

 

[TheEngineer]

It seems that the rare zoas will last in captivity (even thrive and grow) for a month or 2 and then boom - dead.

This seems to affect expensive and cheap alike.

 

[Jonathan Presseau]

This is a zoa tank. I probably have 300 or more polyps.

300 polpys of how many different zoas? I've got 75-100 different types of zoas and god only knows how many polpys.

Interesting about expensive and cheap a like. That is not the same issue I have seen. Hmmm!

 

[TheEngineer]

300 polpys of how many different zoas? I've got 75-100 different types of zoas and god only knows how many polpys.

Interesting about expensive and cheap a like. That is not the same issue I have seen. Hmmm!

That's a lot of types! Maybe 35 or 40 different ones.

 

[ahiggins]

I have a frag tank with probably 60 plugs of palys and zoas. I definitely find the cheaper zoas have melted when optimal conditions arent met.

 

[Jonathan Presseau]

And does this happen to 1 at a time?

Did you say they don't fully die and eventually recover?

 

[Jonathan Presseau]

I have a frag tank with probably 60 plugs of palys and zoas. I definitely find the cheaper zoas have melted when optimal conditions arent met.

I have had mass die off over the years resulting from Alk swings, Salinity swings and I believe pH swings can be harmful. I was presuming his tank has steady - good parameters at this point.

 

[TheEngineer]

And does this happen to 1 at a time?

Did you say they don't fully die and eventually recover?

Yup

 

[TheEngineer]

I have had mass die off over the years resulting from Alk swings, Salinity swings and I believe pH swings can be harmful. I was presuming his tank has steady - good parameters at this point.

I'd like to think so

 

[scoopsthedog]

This is a zoa tank. I probably have 300 or more polyps.

I saw my peppermint shrimp check in between every stalk of a new rock with Zoas and Polyps and (knock on wood) haven't seen any nasty nems to-date.

 

[TheEngineer]

Woke up to my devil's armor frag all but gone. It was fine two days ago. Wasn't by the tank yesterday.

 

[twilliard]

Oh man one by one they are getting worse?
Have a picture of this one?

 

[TheEngineer]

Oh man one by one they are getting worse?
Have a picture of this one?

They are. I'll get the camera out. Might do a round of chemiclean. It has helped before.

 

[TheEngineer]

Two nights ago, about 30 minutes after lights off.

Today

 

[twilliard]

That is the most ODD thing I have seen.
Gosh that sure looks like chemical warfare

 

[TheEngineer]

I pulled one of the suspect anemones out of the tank so I could get some pictures of the front of one. The more I see it the less I think it is an aiptasia. At least not the kind we typically see. I also took a video because it moves, a lot! This is in a little container, no flow.

 

[twilliard]

I do not believe that to be aiptasia

 

[TheEngineer]

Would explain why my $250 worth of berghias have done nothing to them.

 

[Jonathan Presseau]

Jeeze this is heartbreaking.

Can we get an update on your tank parameters? Salinity and PH included.

What kind of light? What is your photoperiod?

This is mostly a zoa tank right? Any other coral? If so how are they?

Please takes some more pics of your other zoas which appear healthy to you. Focus on the skirts on some pics.