Zoas shrinking / disappearing!!!

[Klyle]

The zoa colony on the right has been slowly decreasing in numbers since January, when I moved my tank. Before, this particular colony went from just a few polyps to 80+ in just six months. Now, as my other zoas continue to grow, this colony just gets smaller. I did notice asterinias in my tank a couple months back and tried to banish the ones I could to the sump...I know there are still some in the dt, I just never see them. I would think if it were asterinas eating my zoas, it wouldn't just be one particular colony! Then again, maybe they're super-delicious. Any other ideas what the problem could be, besides asterinas?

 

[sp1187]

got any pics from when you first got it?

 

[Pistondog]

The zoa colony on the right has been slowly decreasing in numbers since January, when I moved my tank. Before, this particular colony went from just a few polyps to 80+ in just six months. Now, as my other zoas continue to grow, this colony just gets smaller. I did notice asterinias in my tank a couple months back and tried to banish the ones I could to the sump...I know there are still some in the dt, I just never see them. I would think if it were asterinas eating my zoas, it wouldn't just be one particular colony! Then again, maybe they're super-delicious. Any other ideas what the problem could be, besides asterinas?

What kind of fish, inverts do you have?

 

[Klyle]

got any pics from when you first got it?

These are the best I have. But they were full, fast growing...now there's mostly just nubs left. Can't decide if they're self-disentigrating or being eaten.

 

[Staghorn]

Is that peppermint shrimp that’s checking them out new?

 

[Klyle]

What kind of fish, inverts do you have?

2 clowns, pj cardinal, mandarin, blue legged hermits, 2 cleaner shrimp, conch, asterinas, micro brittles, pistol shrimp, various copepods and such, trochus and astreas

 

[Staghorn]

Sorry cleaner shrimp

 

[Klyle]

Is that peppermint shrimp that’s checking them out new?

Cleaner shrimps and yeah they're new but these have been declining since before I added them

 

[sp1187]

early on I lost a lot of zoas to a nudi infestation.
after lights out look for them.
if you find any, use a turkey baster to remove them.

do you have a sump? if so are you using any marinepure or brightwell ceramics?

 

[Klyle]

early on I lost a lot of zoas to a nudi infestation.
after lights out look for them.
if you find any, use a turkey baster to remove them.

do you have a sump? if so are you using any marinepure or brightwell ceramics?

Yeah I have overkill amount of marine pure... really been considering switching to pond matrix but I'm worried about losing denitrifying capabilities. I haven't done a icp yet.

 

[Staghorn]

Have you added any others those that may have introduced a pest? It looks like they’re growing on a huge rock but it may be a good idea to try and dip them if it’s possible

 

[Klyle]

Have you added any others those that may have introduced a pest? It looks like they’re growing on a huge rock but it may be a good idea to try and dip them if it’s possible

Unfortunately I wasn't so careful with my first few additions of coral and in the process introduced asterinas, micro brittles, hydroids, and God knows what else! Honestly I don't really like the way these zoas look in my tank so it wouldn't hurt my feelings if they all disappeared! But the reality is if something is munching on this colony, they will probably move along to the next when these are gone...so maybe I need to save these to save the others.

 

[Jekyl]

Losing them can also be parameters or lighting related.

 

[Klyle]

early on I lost a lot of zoas to a nudi infestation.
after lights out look for them.
if you find any, use a turkey baster to remove them.

do you have a sump? if so are you using any marinepure or brightwell ceramics?

Looks like I'm going to be doing some late night tank watching this weekend!

 

[Klyle]

Losing them can also be parameters or lighting related.

I've considered the lighting. This has coincided with a switch to AI Primes...

 

[Klyle]

Losing them can also be parameters or lighting related.

But then again there are quite a few from this colony doing just fine...

 

[Garf]

This happens. In my old tank a few varieties took over.

 

[elysics]

Can you cut a few off, put them on rocks/ frag plugs and put them lower down? Good idea whether it turns out to be the light or not

 

[Klyle]

Can you cut a few off, put them on rocks/ frag plugs and put them lower down? Good idea whether it turns out to be the light or not

U know, I could just rip the old plug off the rock and move it. Its an eyesore anyways! So just cut the tissue with a razor, try not to cut directly through any polyps? I've yet to frag any zoas. I'm aware of the safety concerns.

 

[elysics]

If you can easily remove the plug, yes, do that. Cut between the zoas, preferably only the mat that connects them, not the zoas themselves

But is the plug the part on the upper right, so the healthy looking ones? I wouldn't touch those, try for some of the ones that are already isolated