zoa's I think?

[kurtyboh]

ok so i purchased a nem from the lfs, it was attatched to a rock that was under the sand, when i got it home it had these "bumps" on it, and i think they're closed up zoa's. they've never opened, it could be because the nem is right there and stinging them or i just found these flea looking things on the rock tonight.





are they dead? certainly not well, i tried to move the nem, he went a bit further up the rock and is touching fewer of them when he opens, if these guys can be saved ill do what i can to move the nem, cut the rock in half if i have to...

What do you guys think?

 

[kurtyboh]

ok so in the first set of pics i saw something utterly crazy, so i thought well must just be the way the shadows hit the rock or something well... here it is

its a little grainy as its blown up, but then i saw this in my newest batch of photos and was like ---- what the ---- is that...

 

[Jeff]

Looks like an octopus to me. I had one hitchhike on a frag a few years ago but the dip I used killed it.

 

[kurtyboh]

i just took a few more pics cleaning them up as a type, but not an octopus, and do they get that small its about 1/2 the size of one of my closed up zoa? heads

 

[kurtyboh]

ok so i was a bit off on scale, but this next pic captures him near the possible zoas for scale.

this next one shows him not looking like an octopus, at least he looks more like a worm or something here.

then there is this bug which is smaller, but I cant tell for certain if he the same but this is the one that was actually on my colony tonight

 

[Jeff]

Ok right. That doesn't look like an octopus at all in the new pictures.

 

[Tank2379]

Looks like an Amphipods...

 

[kurtyboh]

Are they possibly attcking my colony? How long can zoas live without openning up?and back to the main question are they already dead?

 

[Tank2379]

Amphipods are harmless, yet it's a benefit for your fish to munch on. You Zoas look fine seems like they just need some TLC and lighting they should open back up in no time...

 

[kurtyboh]

so what would be the best course of action here? my nem needs to point up so their on the side of the rock, would it be beneficial to move the rock in a position where the nem is on the side and they are facing the light? or best to try and get the nem to move his mouth of the rock so they arent near eachother and both can be up? I tried a couple days ago to move him, he pretty much told me he didnt like that!

 

[kurtyboh]

Would really like some advice on how best to help these guys

 

[kurtyboh]

ok, so these guys still havent opened up, but tonight they're pooping.. are they possibly eating without opening? or whats the deal here, ive had them for close to 2 weeks, I'm a little concerned even though i got them for free.

 

[deadmeat]

kurtyboh
I always enjoy finding the free stuff attached to rocks. It always makes for a more interesting way to receive a coral while you wait for it to open. Do you have a pic of this pooping? Maybe they are blowing out a little Zooxanthella. If they still look like they did in the first pic you posted, they may still be recovering from being buried. To me they look like they might possibly be partially open but have not extended their skirts yet. I little more light may help with this.

 

[kurtyboh]

Didnt get a pic, but lke 3 or 4 of them had it. It was a long brown string. Would blowing ofc zooxanthella be good or bad?

 

[deadmeat]

blowing it away is ok, but it will also get blown away naturally if there is enough flow. Post up a recent pic when you get a chance.

 

[kurtyboh]

@ deadmeat I didnt mean for me to blow it off, you said the zoa's might be lowing out a little zooxanthella. I dont know what that means or whether or not its good or bad for them. I know thats the stuff that helps them with photosynthesis, but I dont see how getting rid of some would be good? I know nems constantly adjust theirs as well.. but i dont understand it i guess.

 

[kurtyboh]

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B5...NWE0MC00ZGEyLTk3YTktZDg4YTk3YjhlMGYy&hl=en_US
The one in the red circle is still apparently pooping or whatever its doing.

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B5...MThlOS00NjUwLTliMzAtZWMwM2Q1MTIzODQx&hl=en_US
My nem has never looked this good!!! he look so pitiful in the store now WONDROUS!!! anyhow, because h'es doing so well im going to try and move him one more time.. if he doesnt want to ill cut the rock in half so i can place the zoas away from him as well as point them diectly at the light which i made some reflectors for last night- so much brighter now!

 

[kurtyboh]

ok so i split the rock in half tonight, i couldnt get the nem to let go... now everyone in the tank is p.o.ed at me! the clown didnt like me taking his home, the nem well when i split the rock he kinda landed face down and has stayed in a ball and all the zoa heads completely closed up, and a bunch of hte amphipods fell off-oh well

The good news is, it was a success and the zoas and nem are on opposite sides of the tank, so hopefully the zoa's will feel more comfortable hanging their skirts out.

tried researching more on the zooxanthella-very confusing stuff

 

[kurtyboh]

here's a pic after i split the rock,


very happy that's done, i did cut one a little bit though.

 

[deadmeat]

kurtyboh,
Looking good. Just let the zoas spend their time recovering. They are still bouncing back from being buried, this can take up to 2 months at most. I see they are getting color back and do not have tissue damage. The stalk and mat look very healthy also. They are also more open then they were in first pics and that is good. Plus great looking nem!!

Tom