Vermetid killing SPS?

[SuncrestReef]

This SPS colony has been growing fast and very healthy, but just yesterday I started noticing a patch of dead tissue. After looking closely with my macro lens for any pests, I noticed the sweeping mucus net from a nearby vermetid snail touching the affected area. Could this be the cause of the problem? I have a lot of other vermetids in my tank but they have never caused any significant damage.

 

[jerrod]

Not sure if they can kill a coral or not but they’re easy to manage just break off there tubes the put a dab of gel super glue or a piece of epoxy to smother them.

 

[TheHarold]

Yup. Stingers

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

Yes they can
Most of my corals just grow over them but some of my Tenuis are very sensitive to them. I’m actually watching 2 right now stressed from a couple vermatid snails. 1 still looks happy but started to stn near the snail. I don’t know if the other will make it. I lost this same coral a year ago to one of those little jerks. I have them

 

[SuncrestReef]

Update:

I used my laser to kill the vermetid snail. Cooked it.

Later, I used my 200mm macro lens to get a more detailed video of the dead coral area, and discovered it teeming with microscopic copepods. I'm guessing they are just scavenging any dead material, but are not the actual cause of the damage. I don't see any of them on the live portion of the coral. In this video, you can see the tiny copepods primarily on the right side where the white skeleton meets the living coral tissue. Later, the larger copepod that arrives from the upper left is about 1/4" long, to give you an idea of the scale. View full screen to get the best view.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

What laser did you use?

 

[SuncrestReef]

What laser did you use?

I bought a laser a couple years ago to kill aiptasia. It works great, as long as you have a direct line of sight to the aiptasia. It won't eradicate them from your tank because for every one you can see, there are others behind rocks, corals, or inside the plumbing that you can't get to. See https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/suncrestreefs-red-sea-reefer-xl-425-build.358990/post-5416380

But, in this case, it came in handy to kill the vermetid snail that was damaging my corals.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

That’s pretty cool
I actually work with medical lasers every day
I would worry about blinding fish but I guess that’s not an issue?
Where did you buy it from?

 

[SuncrestReef]

That’s pretty cool
I actually work with medical lasers every day
I would worry about blinding fish but I guess that’s not an issue?
Where did you buy it from?

Yes, you obviously need to be cautious. I always wear the specific eye protection, never use the laser when other people or pets are in the room, and I always keep an eye out for fish or inverts approaching the beam. I keep my thumb on the power button so I can quickly turn it off if needed. You even need to be aware of the reflection coming off the tank glass because it can burn your hand or clothing.

I got the laser from a guy on Ebay. There are several listed there.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

My lasers require a 220v outlet

Where did you buy it from

 

[SuncrestReef]

My lasers require a 220v outlet

Where did you buy it from

I got it on Ebay. There are many listings there if you search for "aiptasia laser". It uses rechargeable 3.7v batteries that last about 10 minutes of laser use.

 

[Manic Newbie]

Yes, you obviously need to be cautious. I always wear the specific eye protection, never use the laser when other people or pets are in the room, and I always keep an eye out for fish or inverts approaching the beam. I keep my thumb on the power button so I can quickly turn it off if needed. You even need to be aware of the reflection coming off the tank glass because it can burn your hand or clothing.

I got the laser from a guy on Ebay. There are several listed there.

Yes, you obviously need to be cautious. I always wear the specific eye protection, never use the laser when other people or pets are in the room, and I always keep an eye out for fish or inverts approaching the beam. I keep my thumb on the power button so I can quickly turn it off if needed. You even need to be aware of the reflection coming off the tank glass because it can burn your hand or clothing.

I got the laser from a guy on Ebay. There are several listed there.

I’ve got one of those really powerful lasers that you can pop balloons and burn paper with. I’m wanting to use it to control my vermetid snail infestation. I’m concerned about breaking my glass. Are you shooting through the glass or only from the top?

 

[SuncrestReef]

I’ve got one of those really powerful lasers that you can pop balloons and burn paper with. I’m wanting to use it to control my vermetid snail infestation. I’m concerned about breaking my glass. Are you shooting through the glass or only from the top?

I've used my laser through the tank glass (1/2" thick) as well as from above using an acrylic top-down porthole normally used for photography, both with no problems.