Something is irritating my Zoas - Now what?

kswan · Jan 27, 2018

I have noticed my zoas are looking unhappy and stretching. Another colony a few inches away is doing great. To me it looks like a sponge is growing around it causing the issue. I have sponges in my sump that look similar. What should I do?

nautical_nathaniel · Jan 29, 2018

Stretching can be a sign of too little light and they are trying to get closer to the light source to increase their light intake. If you suspect the sponge is irritating them you can usually remove sponges pretty easily with some tweezers.

kswan · Jan 29, 2018

nautical_nathaniel said:
Stretching can be a sign of too little light and they are trying to get closer to the light source to increase their light intake. If you suspect the sponge is irritating them you can usually remove sponges pretty easily with some tweezers.

I don't think it is light since this is a new occurrence in the last week or two. I attempted to remove the sponge but it just came apart in many pieces. I got all I could so hopefully that helps. My concern is that it will just grow back.

nautical_nathaniel · Jan 29, 2018

kswan said:
I don't think it is light since this is a new occurrence in the last week or two. I attempted to remove the sponge but it just came apart in many pieces. I got all I could so hopefully that helps. My concern is that it will just grow back.

It probably will keep growing back, there are some angelfish that eat sponges but they are also likely to consume coral as well.

rkpetersen · Jan 29, 2018

I have many many zoa frags and honestly, quite a few of them are doing about like that, kind of meh. Others, often close by, are doing great. Investigated predators, disease, lighting, flow, water parameters, everything. Never found a solid answer. I've since added many sps and lps frags and colonies, the majority of which are growing vigorously, so I now feel less charitable toward the zoas and their mysterious issues. The ones that make it, make it. The ones that don't, oh well!