Issues with some polyps

mikesommers

mikesommers

Premium Member
I have a couple of colonies of polyps that are not doing so good. All other corals and mushrooms look great. Any ideas?

CA+ 440
PH 8.4
Alk 10 dkh
Mag 1200
SG 1.026
Iodide .07

They have just recently started looking bad. Attempted target feeding, has not helped. They are just dying off.
 
What kind of polyps? If they're zoanthids it could be predatory pycnogonid, (sea spiders) or certain nudibranchs which eat star polyps and zoas and lay eggs in a spiral formation, or sundial snails, they have cone shaped shells and a checkerboard pattern. Have you done anything different? Any new corals, rock, macroalgae, etc? Are your fish possibly nipping? Are your polyps near other corals? They could be stinging your polyps. Also, what do you mean not doing so well? If you could answer these questions, that will really help.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12391317#post12391317 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GreenUrchin
What kind of polyps? If they're zoanthids it could be predatory pycnogonid, (sea spiders) or certain nudibranchs which eat star polyps and zoas and lay eggs in a spiral formation, or sundial snails, they have cone shaped shells and a checkerboard pattern. Have you done anything different? Any new corals, rock, macroalgae, etc? Are your fish possibly nipping? Are your polyps near other corals? They could be stinging your polyps. Also, what do you mean not doing so well? If you could answer these questions, that will really help.
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They are all zoas. All my polyps are zoas. I do have some zoos they have all have been living together for a year or two just fine. Not doing well, there color is not good. They are open but look bad. I did add a piece of Goniopora. Its a center piece away from all polyps. The only thing I have changed is my Mag additive. I think the new additive has more magnesium sulfate in it. Why would that only mess with some of the zoas? I'm not shore what's going on its weird that only certain colonies would be affected by what ever is going on. Also the star polyps are dying off.
 
My best guess is nudibranchs introduced via the goniopora. During the night when the polyps are closed, look for little worms covered in stubby tentacles. When did you add the goniopora? Did you quarantine your goniopora before adding it to your tank?

Another thing to consider - when was the last time you changed your light bulbs? They get weaker over time and could compromise your polyps. You should change them approximately every 8 months.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12398035#post12398035 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GreenUrchin
My best guess is nudibranchs introduced via the goniopora. During the night when the polyps are closed, look for little worms covered in stubby tentacles. When did you add the goniopora? Did you quarantine your goniopora before adding it to your tank?

Another thing to consider - when was the last time you changed your light bulbs? They get weaker over time and could compromise your polyps. You should change them approximately every 8 months.
Click to expand...

I have had an issue before with nudibranchs. This Is not the same. I really believe that I have an issue with water properties that I am not seeing or testing for. I am not sure though. Its not the normal stuff. No bugs, no nudibranchs, amd its only with random colonies of certain colors. ?!?!?!?!?!? Hmm maybe the new salt? I forgot I changed to seachem reef salt. RC was not cutting it. They have went cheap with all the additives to save money. My LFS stated that. They said that IO says people are going to put the water parems were they want it anyway so why not save money. So I changed to Seachem. Maybe I will try another salt. TM Pro or something. I don't know what else to try.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12405707#post12405707 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
what about the issue with lightbulbs that was brought up--how long since you changed them.
Click to expand...

2 months old.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12405837#post12405837 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by demonsp
Whats used for water movement?
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Mag 12 on sump 1200 gph
2 Maxijet 9 230gph each
Eheim 1250 behind rock I think 900gph
Power Sweep Power head in top right corner 270 gph

2830 gph total about
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12409518#post12409518 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by impur
Are these caribbean zoas by any chance?
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I think so. You can see them in this pic they looked good that night. They are hard to see. There are two colonies. One on the right and one on the left next to the spill box. The blue ones on the left in the front are doing great. The brown ones and the orange ones just above the blue ones are all having issues. Its like they are just dissolving.

176754full-tank-shot-med.jpg
 
I think this is a common scenario with caribbean zoas. I've experience the exact same thing with every caribbean zoa i've tried to keep.

I've since written them off and will never buy/trade for more. You'll find several other posters here with the same sentiment.

Sorry and I hope you have better luck than I have.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12410056#post12410056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by impur
I think this is a common scenario with caribbean zoas. I've experience the exact same thing with every caribbean zoa i've tried to keep.

I've since written them off and will never buy/trade for more. You'll find several other posters here with the same sentiment.

Sorry and I hope you have better luck than I have.
Click to expand...

thanks for the tip Impur---I have had some zoos die for no apparant reason(s) while no problems with others
This explains it a bit
any one every speculate as to why this is
 
Thank You guys!!

I want to try and keep this post alive. I am going to try some more small changes. I always had good luck in my 29 gallon. I think I am over looking something. I have ordered a few supplies and I will be up dating as things go. I am planning a little bit larger WC this weekend. Next week another larger WC (20gal) with a different salt (Tropic Marin Pro) to see what changes I get. I have had both of the two brown colonies for 2 years. I have raised them from a 10 polyp colony to right at maybe 50 - 55. I wont give up. The thing is when you figure out what's wrong they recover within 24 hrs. I had nudibranchs almost take this colony out a year and a half ago. It was a pain in the you know what to get rid of those @%$@*!@. I beat them I will figure this out. The nudibranchs kept coming back. I really think this is a simple adjustment since everything else is looking funny today to. Goniopora is a little closed up today as well as on mushroom. I really fell like there is something I am overlooking.

Thank again and I will let you know how things go as I make adjustments.
 
I could never keep them longer than a few months, so it may not be what you are experiencing. I like your enthusiasm!!

Lets try some questions.

Can you get us a pic of them now? Any signs of white spots? Are any of the polyps open and healthy looking? Any sign of a brownish goo on the mat or stalk of the polyp? I've watched large pods rip the skirts off some of my zoas, could that be happening to you? Notice any of the polyps that are disappearing look like a small white cottonball where the polyp used to be?
 
Whats your ammonia and phosphate and PH readings?
This tank doesnt look real old either.Whats its age?What type of feeding scedule and type of food?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12411331#post12411331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by demonsp
Whats your ammonia and phosphate and PH readings?
This tank doesnt look real old either.Whats its age?What type of feeding scedule and type of food?
Click to expand...

its above--2 months old, Lance
 
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