Pink birds nest at LFS has STN at base

[kevensquint]

I don't know how else to describe it, but it looks like the tissue loss common to acro's. I have heard that when Pink birds nest don't get enough light or current this happens. Thing is, the LFS has 2 nice big ones (soft ball sized) on sale, one has branches tight together and the other has bigger spaces between 'em. I would like to get one, but the tissue loss at the base makes me nervous, they otherwise look healthy and have been in his tank for almost 2 months. What do you think?

 

[kevensquint]

I thought lots of you had seriatopora, if I don't move on the frag tommorrow, it will be gone. So if I can get some feedback, I'll be able to make a better choice on getting it or leaving it.

 

[samwheat]

Mine is at least softball size and it is the same way. Ive had it for about a year now. It is perfectly healthy.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

I have many. You will probably be ok pickin it up if he has had it awhile. I wouldnt put anything in my main display with out quarantining though. Depends on what kind of corals you have already ang whether it is worth the risk.

 

[kevensquint]

I usually buy very small frags and dip them in coral disinfectant before puting them in. I don't have a QT tank, are Seriatopora more full of nasties than acros and other SPS?

 

[Dog boy Dave]

The only thing I have seen on the birds nests is a tiny black pod like parasite. They are about the size of a red bug and will wipe out a colony in a couple of days. They are easy to see. But generally before you put anything in your tank from an unknown source you have to ask yourself " Self, is this worth loosing my entire collection for?" That is the question the reefer reaper is asking every time you do it whether you ask or not.

Once again , it depends on the value of your collection. I write here from experience with both fresh water african tanks and my current system. It isnt a matter of if, its a matter of when . You will eventually introduce something into your system if you dont quarantine.
Dipping helps and I will tell you. Until my collection exceeded the value of my Ducatti and I introduced parasitic planaria into it, I didn't quarantine. After 8 months of fighting (and finally wiping out) the little bastids, I didnt quarantine. Guess what? I do now.

 

[kevensquint]

Yeah, I had flatworms too, I got lucky though because my manadarin ate all of them. Anyways, friends, never mind about the birdsnest. I went to buy it and the LFS said its not for sale. They want to keep it for the store's display....they suck.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

Mandarins dont eat parasitic fatworms

 

[chummy]

What is STN?