Slowly disappearing zoanthid colonies

[ostrow]

I can't post a pic, because there is precious little to see. My zoanthid colonies are perishing as a slow but steady rate and I can't see any sundial snails or nudis. These colonies are on rockwork very close to the class -- the magnet back just misses brushing against them. I have inspected over and over for long periods and see nothing abnormal.

EXCEPT... I see a couple (maybe 3) longish tentacles extending over the colonies in a couple places. I had these for tubeworms before but now I'm not sure. they are long ... maybe 3-4" long, and super-thin, like a hair's diameter, and sort of a transluscent bluish-pinkish color.

Any idea what that could be? No chance of getting a photo of it. Can't focus on it.

 

[30mini]

Aiptasia anemone. Will kill coral that they are close to. Go get some peppermint shrimp, they will eat them like candy!

 

[ostrow]

No, believe me, this is not aiptasia! I know what those are! Aiptasia are, one, rarely the length I described, two, much wider and obvious looking.

This is a 4" long, extremely thin single tentacle. As I said, at first I assumed and it still may be just a tubeworm or other harmless worm feasting on what is already dead. Or it could be something else.

 

[30mini]

A picture may help then. Have you checked out Melev's site with ID's and pictures? That may help you out too

 

[ostrow]

Thanks. Searched Melev's site. I'm fairly certain by description this is a harmless "peanut worm" as he calls them though I wonder why all 3 are so near to the disappearing zoanthids.

I can confirm I don't have the nudis, and I would think I would see the sundial snails.

So, anyone know what might cause zoanthid colonies to atrophy at a steady pace?

 

[MDboyz]

Are you talking about those like spider web?

 

[ostrow]

In each location, I only see a single strand, a single tentacle. They are distinct individuals, in different locations in the tank, each shows a single probing strand. It looks like a strand of a spider web perhaps, but stright, not web-shaped.

 

[elliotklinger]

Spaghetti worms, they're known irritater. Irritator list on Zoaid.com

 

[ostrow]

Well, who knew. Thanks for that. I dont' see a lot of them, but there you have it. Would they actually kill off whole colonies??

Anyway, the worms win. I'm not replacing the zoas. IMO too many strikes against them.

More room for SPS ... woo-hoo!

 

[hogpark7430]

I still belive pods are my zoos.

 

[ostrow]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7814854#post7814854 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hogpark7430
I still belive pods are my zoos.

On the spaghetti worms, as I think about it, this seems highly doubtful to me, considering the 1000s of tanks out there that have enormous and thriving zoanthid colonies together with prolific populations of spaghetti worms. Seems pretty unlikely, though given my luck...

 

[mbunaman]

Check your piece for any sponges. I have experienced this in the past. Dip you piece in a solution of 50-50 R0/Hydrogen Peroxide. This will kill fungus and any pests. Also check your flow. You may want to increase it over you zoos. Spagetthi worms I have them also in my tank but they never killed any of my zoos. My yellow coris took care of the worms when I introduced him. Keep us posted!!!

 

[ostrow]

Increased flow would be a bad idea. I was worrying I had too much! My MJ Stream mod blows over the colonies as the Sea-Swirl it's mounted to rotates back and forth.

There is some gorgeous purple sponge in the vicinity, though not right in the midst that I can see. I'd hate to nuke that.... I'll ponder this though. Thanks. Very good suggestions.