ricordia producing brown mush

[kinerson]

Often, when I cut a bunch of rics, some will start to produce a brown jelly like slime. It seems like when they start to do this they end up totally disolving within a couple days or less leaving only some brown residue behind. I have tried to remove this jelly as it forms with a pipette but it keeps returning and usually the ric dies overnight. Any suggestions? I was thinking maybe a could try dipping them in a "reef dip" (iodine).
Thanks,
Greg

 

[phathead]

I have seen this as well at first I thought it was just a defense mechanism from being cut but then they would usaully die also. I now have a pretty good grasp on the whole slicing ricordea thing now. I first try to wait until there are more than one mouth then slicing doesnt need to be precise just in between the two mouths. I also cut them when they have a single mouth the key is to cut exactly in the middle. I use a magnifying glass to make the cut easier. In both cases when you cut the ric make sure you are using a brand new blade and making one clean slice through no stopping or turning this is very important. When I am done I dip them in Tech D for 3 minutes which has really helped also and in the frag tank they go. Basically now if I see the brown slime start to form I declare it dead. This happens maybe 1 out of every 50 I cut now. Pretty good odds. I hope this helps.

 

[phathead]

I also forgot to mention I do all of this out of the water if that makes a difference at all.

 

[JMCAquarium]

watch the brown slime if it gets on another ric it may take over and kill that one to we just had a local girl here known for her ric tanks lose an enitre tank full of them becuase of this slime and it all started on one ric.

 

[kinerson]

hmmm, this is good suff.
I believe my seachem reef dip is pretty much the same as tech d. Thank you both for your help.
Greg