Zoanthid help!

[uh duh]

I'm having problems with several colonies of zoanthids that I cannot figure out. First off, my water parameters are all normal except nitrates might be a tad high at 40ppm. Lighting is 260w PC on about 8 hours, and 250 watt MH on about 2 hours a day on my 55 gal. Fish, inverts and other corals are fine.

well, I have about 6-7 colonies or various zoanthids all on about 3-4 inch rocks. And I noticed couple colonies started shriveling over a period of couple weeks while still open. It starts with the base disappearing(the part that spreads across the rock), then the polyps disappearing. They still all open up but then the heads start disappearing.

I cannot figure it out, I tried moving them to different locations and they're still the same. I tried looking for nudibranches at night but didn't see any. I did an iodine dip but they're still disappearing.

My only guesses are maybe that nitrates are too high, too little water flow or too much lighting. Can too much lighting make the zoanthids die? or Are zoanthids supposed to be in direct flow of the pump for higher water movement? Or can I do a big water change like 60% to lower nitrates? I'd really appreciate any help! thanks

 

[chaseracing]

What type of fish do you have?

I had a angel that loved to snack on them.

-=E=-

 

[Meisen]

Sounds more like a predator than a water parameter problem.

The most likely four:

Fish (angels and butterflys especially, sometimes tangs and rabbits IME)
Nudibranchs
Sundial Snail
Sea Spiders

Do a search on here or check out some of the stickies at the top of the zoanthid forum.

Oh yeah, welcome to RC!

 

[CoMMaNdeR]

I agree with Meisen,

The best thing to do is to take out the zoos rocks, and dip them for at least 5 minutes in fresh water with the same PH and Temp...and of course shake them alot so the bad guys fall out the rock ..

This method worked great for me I had millions of nudi 's

 

[uh duh]

thank you! well, the fish i currently have are a baby sailfin(3"), baby yellowtang(2"), clownfish, and couple damsels.

I did however find couple dead sundial snail shells but can't find any on the zoanthids. I check at night and it doesn't look like anything is on them. But not all the zoanthids lose their base. only the 3-4 colonies. Still so clueless