concerned about my zoos

[fambrough]

I have a few groups of zoanthids in various locations in my tank. One small volunteer colony has recently closed up and started to die. It has remained closed for more than a week, maybe two and is now fading. On a rock with three types of zoanthids, one of the types has now been closed for a few days and I am concerned about the same thing happening. I don't want to lose all my zoos. I can not see any visible organism bothering them. I have looked with a magnifying glass. Of course, that doesn't mean much.

What should I be looking for? What are the primary causes for zoanthid illness or decline?

Please help me protect the rest.

Thanks in advance,
Ben

 

[familyreefer]

dip

dip

Check out the dip info at the top of the forum. This should help

 

[IBASSFSH]

alkalinity

alkalinity

Check your alkalinity level. It may be too low.

 

[fambrough]

Thank you both for responding.

I should have read more before posting. Looks like colony demise is an all to common and misunderstood phenomenon. My alk is fine. I dose with the two part B-Ionic and test for alk regularly. I really should dip new specimins. I will from now on. The colony in question is on far too large a rock for that. I haven't ruled out the possibility of a nudibranch parasite. However, I think something else is responsible.

I'll post back should I figure out the issues. In the mean time, more suggestions are very welcome.

Cheers,
Ben