Zoa pox

[Christian0505]

Dear fellow reefers,

I am affraid i’ve got zoa pox in the tank. I have not added anything to the tank and it seems to have appeared out of the blue. My zoas are glued directly to the big main rock by the previous owner, making it impossible to dip them. Now i am wondering, if i let it run it’s course, will they all die, or might some survive?

 

[littlebigreef]

Likely you won't lose everything but I'd brace yourself for some significant loses. If possible I'd use bone shears and pluck out some healthy chunks and make back up frags for yourself.

I've also had it pop up out of the blue during periods of poor water quality (due to over feeding- more specifically trying to get a particular fish to eat). I might suggest some water changes and adding some additional circulation to the display. However, it'll probably take awhile to run its course.

Curious to hear what other folk's experience has been when you can't dip.

 

[Christian0505]

Can i frag zoas inside the tank? Or do you mean cut up the rock with the zoas attached to?

 

[littlebigreef]

Now, people will probably jump in with a lot of opinions about this but yes, its fine to break off chunks of rock with zoas attached in the tank. I've had to do this a time or two and its fine. If they're growing on a rock where you can't break off a chunk in the tank then yeah, that gets more difficult.

 

[Christian0505]

Yes i am not able to cut off rock, i would have to cut flesh. That is very stupid to do with the risk of them leeching poison right? Even if you are used activated carbon?

 

[littlebigreef]

My personal position is that people make way too big of a deal out of paly toxin. Most zoas, are fine to cut and work with. I've fragged tens of thousands of zoas and never had an issue. That said, some people are more sensitive to all of this stuff. The big nasty texas trash and green/brown palys are the ones you need to worry about.