thoughts on clove polyp invasion?

[elensius]

Though they were interesting to look at when they came in as small hitch hiking colonies, I am getting worried that the clove polyps in my tank are perhaps on their way to taking over!

Scanning the internet, there are a variety of "fixes" suggested by others... but I'm looking for some first-hand knowledge from club members if you've dealt with this problem before.

1. Do these things tend to overgrow coral, or will most of the established pieces "hold their own"? For now, it appears that most of the coral prevents the cloves from intruding on its space... but there are a few situations where it looks like the cloves might be winning.

2. Are cloves known to produce a lot of toxins (i.e. should I be worried that if they become too large a piece of the bioload, could they potentially poison the whole tank)?

3. Is there a "best" way to eradicate them (or at least keep them in check)? I've seen everything from kalk paste to religious scrubbing with a toothbrush to certain snails (?!) to getting a butterfly fish... again, just wondering if anyone in the club has any first-hand experience.

Aside from this problem, I'm pretty happy with my tank these days - hoping to do a little maintenance this weekend, and then I'll try to post some more pics!

Thanks for any thoughts you can share!

 

[northbay-reefer]

Cloves are pretty fast grower but are also sensitive so your tank must be doing well. I have some blue ones. I think they are easier to control than pallys and other pest corals and doesn't sting as badly so they might be able to coexist with most of your corals except zoanthids. That have been my experience, others might have other opinions.

 

[AMAYEU]

Though they were interesting to look at when they came in as small hitch hiking colonies, I am getting worried that the clove polyps in my tank are perhaps on their way to taking over!

Scanning the internet, there are a variety of "fixes" suggested by others... but I'm looking for some first-hand knowledge from club members if you've dealt with this problem before.

1. Do these things tend to overgrow coral, or will most of the established pieces "hold their own"? For now, it appears that most of the coral prevents the cloves from intruding on its space... but there are a few situations where it looks like the cloves might be winning.

2. Are cloves known to produce a lot of toxins (i.e. should I be worried that if they become too large a piece of the bioload, could they potentially poison the whole tank)?

3. Is there a "best" way to eradicate them (or at least keep them in check)? I've seen everything from kalk paste to religious scrubbing with a toothbrush to certain snails (?!) to getting a butterfly fish... again, just wondering if anyone in the club has any first-hand experience.

Aside from this problem, I'm pretty happy with my tank these days - hoping to do a little maintenance this weekend, and then I'll try to post some more pics!

Thanks for any thoughts you can share!

I have blue cloves and it was my biggest purchase mistake. Its nice to have when beginning with no or very little corals, but they became a pest in my tank over time. They are hard to isolate to one location. They pop up in random locations and appear on my sandbed.

1) IMO they hinder sps base growth, but noticed that the reverse sunset is winnning the battle. With regards to zoas/palys, they most definitely hinder growth. I have seen blue cloves create a bottom mat ontop of the zoas matt and base. Literally on top of the zoas, but not towards the head and mouth. Bottom line they choke growth.

2) Don't know about the toxins, and I assume they do take up nutrients from other corals.

3) As for erradiction I let them grow on rocks and manually remove from frags, like removing hair algae. I sometimes use a toothbrush. Becareful not to scrape them off within your tank and they will pop in the weirdest spots. I did rearraange my lighting for a bit and pounded them with light. This made them scrivel up.

When I start a new tank, I am thinking of starting with new LR or Marcorocks.

Just my thoughts.

 

[RtReef]

My clove looks healthy then some die off and then it repeats like it's a cycle. I wish I could get mine to grow fast bc they look nice especially under LEDs..

 

[northbay-reefer]

Mike, That's why every frag you gave got blue cloves on it I leave them on the sand bed and keep them away from the live rocks. I think creating an island and have them grow and isolated would look really cool.

 

[AMAYEU]

Boom...:blown:... and ouch. That stung a little. :twitch: Unintentional when giving frags.

 

[Grant W]

That was from you huh Mike. I got one too. LOL

 

[treesmoker]

I've been doing battle with some small pinkish cloves since I began reefing many years ago. They seem to creep up every where. I've almost gotten rid of them now, but its something I have to pay close attention to. This stuff is even more annoying than xenia.

 

[northbay-reefer]

Boom...:blown:... and ouch. That stung a little. :twitch: Unintentional when giving frags.

Lol I like them actually so it's should be considered unintentional gift

 

[coralfarmer]

"Clove Polyp Invasion" Sounds like a good title for a Sci Fi movie:lolspin: