I just took on some rescue zoas from a fellow reefer whose tank overheated. He had some purple death and nuclear green that both got stressed and lost their color. On both of them, their polyps are opening up in my tank, just not much color. Is there any good treatment I can do to help them recover? Should they be kept in a shady spot or a well light spot since the bleaching was not from over lighting?
I also got a couple of other zoas that are still closed, and haven't opened since his overheating. They haven't shown any signs of melting, just staying closed. What should I do for these guys? Any help would be appreciated as I try to save these guys.
Thanks
Sorry to hear the bad news, but 2 thumbs up on rescuing them.
If they are expanding, that's a great sign. There are about 2 dozens potential reasons for bleaching, ( a mass expulsion of zooxanthellae ), so right now they are vulnerable and not totally out of the woods just yet.
Could you list all of your parameters and answer the questions in the link below. It would really help us out in helping you.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1852463
Here's something I copied and pasted from something I posted last month. Check it out and I'm sure it will help make a difference.
" 5. If they are indeed bleached, and void of their zooxanthellae which feeds them as well as providing coloration, they are nutrient deficient. According to E.B, "Without the proper number of zooxanthellae in their tissues, corals must rely almost entirely on dissolved nutrients uptake and heterotrophic feeding to meet their energy needs". I experienced some mild bleaching back in 2000 due to a hardware malfunction. It was very slight, but I also added some Cyclop Eeze, as stated above which I think still has color enhancers, I stand corrected if I'm wrong. I feel this added food source help them while they repopulated the zooxanthellae which was expelled during the heat spike. The added food source and the current will greatly aid in their recovery. It will take time so you will have to just place them and not move them. It could take 3 months to a year, but I have seen recovery in as little as 5 months.
6. Bleached polyps are also vulnerable polyps. Susceptible to disease, predation and starvation, so keep your eyes on them and watch for inverts and fish which might think they are dead/dying and go after them. I would even consider inverting a plastic reef safe type of covering which allows light penetration and food to enter but keeps fish and large inverts out. Just a thought to consider depending on the severity of the bleaching and how widespread it is. "
Regarding the polyps which haven't opened up for you, they too are most likely still stressed, so don't dip them in anything. Instead, do a well aerated 20% water change as the salt is loaded with vitamins, trace elements etc which will also help aid in their recovery. I would preset/check the PH/ALK/CAL if you can on the make up water. A stable water column, current, low placement, check all parameters for stability and just leave them alone. It will take months, but as long as they are expanding and not collapsing, they stand a great chance of a full recovery.
We would all love a periodic update as it will help others whom might be experiencing the same issues. Good luck.
Mucho Reef
PS, placed the bleached polyp low as well and watch how they react to your lighting. Whatever you do, don't move up, over anywhere etc. Moving corals is stressful in and of itself and can potentially stunt/delay growth even in healthy polyps. Again, good luck.
