Copepod/amphipod troubles

[mrk1260]

Hey everyone,

I've noticed on a number of my zoanthid frags that polyps have been agitated while small (1-2cm) copepods/amphipods appeared to be nipping/crawling around them.

Most of the frags are looking happy, but I can tell that a few of them are looking ****ed off. My parameters are right on, I just feel that I see these little buggers hanging around the agitated polyps rather frequently now.

I've heard mixed stories/reports on these guys and I don't want to risk any more damage being done as they seem to be taking a toll on the coral.

The tank is a 40 gallon marineland cube. Most of the frags are currently sitting on my sand bed with medium to strong light (from an aqua illumination sol LED) and a somewhat stronger flow.

What do you recommend I to do to alleviate the situation? Introduce a natural predator for the pods? If so, what would you recommend?

Thanks for your time as I appreciate the help greatly!!

 

[eg8r210]

I am not sure the best solution but if you do choose to add a fish to eat them make sure you pick one that will eat other things. Otherwise if your system is not producing enough pods the fish will starve. I believe a wrasse will help the problem but you will need to cover the top or they will jump.

 

[mrk1260]

And I have to add, I see these little pods on my agitated zoas almost all of the time now. It seems that the weakened polyps, are hit more by these guys until they are weakened more and more and start to melt.

 

[mrk1260]

Thanks for the advice, is there any other alternatives other than control via predators?

Has any one else had problems with small amphi/copepods with their zoanthids/palys? If so, how did you deal with it?

 

[jbm421]

When I dosed interceptor it killed off most of my pods! Lol

 

[cordell]

I had the same problem. I dipped the zoa rocks/frags in coralrx solution twice and the problem was gone.

 

[650-IS350]

Wrasses are good Pod and AMPIpod erradicators.

Also having the frags of the weaken or constantly attacked polyps on a frag rack away from your main rocks also helps out.

 

[mrk1260]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I'll try coralrx and frag racks.. If the problem persists I'll go with a natural predator.

 

[650-IS350]

coralRX as a separate (DIP) in a separate bucket, then rinse prior to placing in tank.

 

[Wills612]

coralRX as a separate (DIP) in a separate bucket, then rinse prior to placing in tank.

"HIJACK"

I have never rinsed corals after Revive dip. Just shake off, inspect for eggs, then in the tank. Never had any problems. Have you had issues, and is it good practice to rinse frag in sw after dip?

 

[Chriskid]

And I have to add, I see these little pods on my agitated zoas almost all of the time now. It seems that the weakened polyps, are hit more by these guys until they are weakened more and more and start to melt.

yes, i concur . i too have came to this observation.

 

[Pallobi]

"HIJACK"

I have never rinsed corals after Revive dip. Just shake off, inspect for eggs, then in the tank. Never had any problems. Have you had issues, and is it good practice to rinse frag in sw after dip?

I honestly feel it doesn't make a bit of difference... The very small amount that actually washes off in the main system, jus gets skimmer and/or the carbon takes care of it... I do rinse mine, but its probably pointless...

 

[aandfsoccr04]

"HIJACK"

I have never rinsed corals after Revive dip. Just shake off, inspect for eggs, then in the tank. Never had any problems. Have you had issues, and is it good practice to rinse frag in sw after dip?

Pretty good practice to dip in a coral dip like revive or coralrx to kill any unwanted pests.

 

[650-IS350]

co-sign

 

[mrk1260]

Dipped the zoas last night in coralrx and came home to find even more of them crawling around picking at the small 'baby' polyps. One totally healthy single WOW paly polyp (as of last night) got chewed up over the night and looks like crap now.

These little shits are really starting to get on my nerves. Once I get back home tomorrow I'm going to pick up a 6 line wrasse to start the war. On top of that, I'll place all the weakened frags on a frag rack half way up the tank.

Let the games begin. :fun2:

 

[650-IS350]

Up the frag racks is best because, less ampipods willing to journey out in the open up the glass to get to your frags compared to easier when its on the sand bed or on your main rocks.

I would do this to save frags being eaten by ampipods. Also having a wrasses doesn't kill them all over night, the 6 line is one of the most aggressive of hunters in regards to pods and ampipods. only drawback is the little bastard is one of the most aggressive wrasses out there and will pick a fight with any fish even fish 3 times it size.

 

[cordell]

Dang, mrk, sorry to hear the coralRx isn't working...

I actually had to dip mine twice before the pods didn't come back. I'm still not convinced that the pods were the reason the zoas were disappearing. Some suggested the pods were merely cleaning up dead/dying polyps.

I think during that time I was having a pod eXplosion, and since then the pods have slacked off considerably, so I never see any digging on my zoas any more.

If you're interested, here is the my thread from when I was having the problem:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2168068

 

[cordell]

And, by the way... I'll have to agree with 650, those 6 lines are aggressive! I had one in my tank and he constantly picked on my other wrasses. I liked my other wrasses better than him, so he got the boot (and I got a funny/aggravating mission to trap the little sucker!!). You might want to keep trying other methods of pod control first.