Something keeps irritating my zoas

[DesktopReefer]

I’m just starting up a new tank and have a couple Zoa polyps on a plug. I noticed the last couple of days, the polyps will randomly open and close throughout the day. After staring at the plug like a crazy person for about 15 minutes, I finally saw something really tiny that kept running around the plug. It moves really quickly and is tiny. So tiny that it would be impossible for me to photograph. My best description is it looks like a tiny tiny ant? It’s movements reminded me of an amphipod. Maybe the two are unrelated, but it certainly seems like something keeps bumping them or irritating them throughout the day.

I looked up the Zoa eating nudis and the spiders, but it doesn’t really resemble either of those and is probably 1/100th the size of a small polyp.

 

[shakacuz]

could be an amphipod as you mentioned, or a copepod. would be almost impossible to help you without a video or picture of sorts.

 

[mdb_talon]

Agree it sounds like a pod of some sort. No common pest I know of moves as fast as you describe. Generally if they are there it is because there is some detritus or algae in the area for them to consume... which is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as the zoas are quickly opening back up I would not be alarmed.

 

[Reefbuds]

My Hermits are always roaming across my zoas and closing them up. They always open back up nice and happy. As long as they are opening back up I wouldn't worry to much about it. When they close and stay closed for a while with no obvious reason is when you should start watching real close and see what else could be going on

 

[DesktopReefer]

Thanks for all the replies. Both the polyps open up nice and big after a few minutes each time after closing. It’s a pretty old looking plug so maybe it’s a little dirty and needs a good cleaning from the pods.

 

[Jay'sReefBugs]

What you describe tells me amthipods but it's weird that they would be bothering your zoas like that

 

[DesktopReefer]

What you describe tells me amthipods but it's weird that they would be bothering your zoas like that

I watched them again yesterday and they kept closing when I didn’t see anything around. They are new to the tank so I’m going to try a slightly shadier spot the next few days and see if it helps.

 

[wattson]

Any kind of pods in a zoa tank is almost as bad as aptaisa in my mind .
If you are trying to make a zoa garden then it would be best to try and eliminate the pods.
I know people are going to say different but your zoa garden and tank will better off without the pods..
Just my 2 cents x 1,000,000..................

 

[DesktopReefer]

Any kind of pods in a zoa tank is almost as bad as aptaisa in my mind .
If you are trying to make a zoa garden then it would be best to try and eliminate the pods.
I know people are going to say different but your zoa garden and tank will better off without the pods..
Just my 2 cents x 1,000,000..................

And how would you suppose people would rid their tank of the thousands (or millions) of pods that naturally make their home in our aquariums?

 

[wattson]

Quarantine and do not let them in your tank and system .
Get predator fish to eat them , but most pods come out after dark .
Im not a fan letting every ocean creature in my tank, then have to calculate thier population later.
Dip and quarantine are the best to be practiced in this hobby .