Halophila predator?

[graveyardworm]

Well there isnt too much left of my recent Halophila purchase. Early on I noticed some of the leaves had what appeared to be chunks eaten out of them. I'm now down to two leaves on a single rhizome, both leaves were growing well as were many of the past pairs of leaves that had come up from other rhizomes.

So far whatever it is doesnt seem to have touched the Halodule in the same tank.

This morning both leaves were fine, I just got home and noticed some sort of slime with substrate stuck to it on both leaves, like two little 3/16 inch long boogers, one on each leaf, so I carefully cleared it off thinking it was some sort of epiphytic algae and I noticed one leaf had a chunk missing.

So far the only the only things in the tank are a couple strombus grazers, and some pods. The grazers havent really been noticed on the leaves of the Halophila at any time so I'm ruling them out. This leaves either possibly a Halophila eating amphipod a couple of which I've caught and photographed ( pics coming soon ), the color of these guys is a little odd from the amphipods that I see in my reef tank, and one is suspiciously green. The other possibility is the slime stuff which I'm going to have to take a closer look at ( wish I had a microscope ).

 

[graveyardworm]

Here's a pic of the amphipods I caught, the guy in the upper left is the green one, kinda lost some color in the photo.

 

[ClamIAm]

Interesting, because my halophila doesn't seem to be doing all that great either. My theory is that my frogfish keeps trampling it and knocking leaves loose, while the halodule seems to be staying in place because it has a thicker base. I find it funny because initially I was worried the halodule would be struggling because I had read it required more lighting. Still haven't seen a lot of growth out of either yet, but it's only been a couple weeks.

 

[graveyardworm]

I think I got my Halophila from the same source as you, Seacrop? I'd move it to my display with my Thallasia but I'm afraid that the move could be to stressful for a struggling plant. Did you incorporate the sand which came with your order into the same tank?

 

[Samala]

Ugh. Were the new amphipods introduced along with the sand and such that I suggested previously? I didnt notice any new 'life' when I transplanted my H. ovalis.

Mine is still kicking, stil nothing spectacular. Its been some time. I'm curious to know if Mary (Seacrop) is growing it, like they do for all the rest, or not.

>Sarah

 

[MaryHM]

Sarah,

Yes, we do grow it. Occasionally I'll get low because admittedly the growth is slow, so I'll start a new stand of it with some imported from the Philippines. I've only had to do that twice in the last 6-8 months though. Ours is kept in the greenhouse, planted in the sand beds about 2.5' deep.

Our systems are full of pods, so it's no surprise at all that some came along as hitchhikers.

 

[graveyardworm]

Were the new amphipods introduced along with the sand and such that I suggested previously?

I'm fairly certain that they did come in as part of the transplant with the sand and the H. ovalis, but I cant say 100%. There's also a peice of LR from my sump in there which had spent a couple months in a QT with my goby pair prior to going in this tank. However I never saw any amphipods in the qoby QT, but thats not to say that they couldnt have been hiding out in the rock.

This morning the leaves still look okay ( no more damage ), and I notice two new leaves just starting to peak out from the sand. The two amphipods have been disposed of. So I'm going to keep an eye out for more, and probably remove them If I see them.

 

[ClamIAm]

There were definitely a lot of amphipods in my order. I'm not actually sure if something is preying on it or not for mine. All I know is next time I try seagrass I'm not going to keep it with a large fish that moves on the bottom.

 

[graveyardworm]

Well its been a week since I removed those guys, and there hasnt been anymore damage to the leaves. Actually today another set of leaves poked through the sand so now I have three sets of leaves. I've also started dosing KNO3, about .5 ml per day. So far I havent been testing for it but algae is under control aside for some persistant cyano. I've also been changing out about 3 gals per week with water from my display.

At what point can I split this rhizome and add some to my lagoon? Also Sarah if you read this the Halodule is really starting to take off and send up shoots everywhere.

 

[Samala]

Pictures please!

Does your Halodule look any different than the H. wrightii I have posted all over my (new!) website/log?

>Sarah

 

[graveyardworm]

Damn its late what are you doin up at this hour? I'll post some pics tomorrow. I would say it looks the same. Although the leaves only get to about 4 inches long. Semms like some very wonderful things are happening for you. Congratulations.