Got these new mariculture acro but...

[jdantunes]

Hi guys,

I just got these new mariculture acros but while in quarantine I spotted something that caught my attention.

As you can see in the pictures there's like round encrusted worms or barnacles on the base of the stem and another one towards the tips. Then I took the colony out of the water and spotted more of them on some of the branches. I was able to take one off and the coral tissue was gone with it.

Any ideas what this is? It is an expensive piece and I'm thinking to take it back to the store tomorrow.

 

[mark54321]

That's normal with maricultured acros. Most of them also have acro crabs too.

 

[IdahoGuy]

Yep, I got a maricultured candy cane that had all kinds of weird stuff on it. Nothing harmful so far.

 

[jdantunes]

Yeah, Mark. You're right, I took two crabs off these piece too.

But my question is should I be concern of these moving to my other acros? I have never seen something like these. Looks like it was under attack because there is several of them in these colony.

 

[karsseboom]

There barnacles it will be fine.

 

[jdantunes]

Good morning...

Thanks for the response. I did a quick look for barnacles on acroporas in google and found a close up picture.

From what I have read in the forums, they are harmless to the host. I also got a response from one of the most experience members from my local reef club, and he said:

"Barnacles. I've had them on mariculture corals before too. Typically, they die off in the aquarium (lack of particulate food) and the coral grows right over them."

 

[jdantunes]

These is how they look today.

 

[mark54321]

Looks good !

 

[trueblackpercula]

Those are barnicals

 

[dannytom99]

they look great to me.

 

[jdantunes]

Just a quick update. The colony that had the barnacles didn't make it.

I have to say I don't blame the barnacles. I did stress the coral, when I found the barnacles and didn't know what they where. But it was filled with them. I could see more then ten fan coming in and out at times.

I did told the owner of the LFS about it and point them out in another colony he had in store. I didn't even notice before I point then out.

I don't know. But in my opinion these maricultured colonies should be inspected further, before the are placed for sale. Is not fare for us to pay $60+ for these Acroporas and get a bunch of barnacles with them.

 

[frankyrivera]

$60 bucks I paid $100 for mine lol it happens I've paid more for 1/2 frags that I later kill due to over dipping or alk issues etc. it's all part of the hobby. Now you know what to look for in the future. Good luck

 

[trueblackpercula]

$60 bucks give me the name of the store.......they sell for were i live $89 and up.

 

[Dugless]

The barnacles did nothing to kill your acropora. There's nothing unfair about that in my opinion.

 

[TheReefKeeper]

60.00 WOW!!
I just paid 200.00 for one with them on it. You should be happy they are offering them for that price it was not the barnacles my guess would be laying it on a towel too long taking pictures improper acclimation or just plain stress. Possibly none of those things just stress from shipping from the ocean to your store could have done it. Loads of factors and variables really can't ever tell.

I mail ordered 2,900 in coral last month and lost 2 pieces totaling over 200.00 just the chance you take when playing with the big boys and doing Acro's not the stores fault really.

Word of advice when NEW stuff comes in I would talk to the store's owner and see if they will hold it a few days for you before taking it home. A week will be good too many tank changes too quick stresses SPS and sometimes letting them sit a couple of days may not stress them out as bad JMO.

 

[animalkingdom]

$60 bucks give me the name of the store.......they sell for were i live $89 and up.

Move to alabama, you can get many maricultureds for $55 unless they are really spectacular
I tend to steer clear of maricultured though, on my limited budget the risk reward is two low. never know if they will hold color like a tried and true piece

 

[Andyf30]

Same thing for Florida. Multiple LFS in my area sell acro colonies for 50-65 bucks

 

[trueblackpercula]

By any chance did you dip your coral I. Anything? The reason I ask is because a lot of people have been saying that mariculture acros are coming in with AEFW not sAying here that that was the problem but just want to know if you treated it.

 

[jdantunes]

I'll say it again (in case you speed read and missed my words) I don't blame the LFS or the barnacles for my loss. I take full responsibility. I didn't know what was on the coral, that is why I stress the colony being out of the water, taking pictures.

Lesson learned... Hope this thread will save other mariculture acro's on time!

 

[Daimyo68]

Losing new colonies happens, to all of us.

As for the barnacles, as mentioned and from your research, they will not harm anything. I have a few maricultured colonies that have them, and have had the colonies for over 2 years now. They still grow just fine.