More missing zoas - at a loss

[maelstrom79]

I've bought some beautiful zoas and I can't tell you how many I've lost. I figured it was my emerald crab, gave him away - came back from a work trip to find A whole Colony wiped out (5 heads). I'm missing one other and that doesnt count others i've lost.

I'm really at a loss. There is nothing in this tank livestock wise. Astrea snails, Blue legged hermits, true percula, skunk shrimp. A lot of asterinas (white, with black/gray). Never seen them on zoas. Haven't seen anything at night.

It's either a bristleworm (they eat those right?) or nudibranches. Can nudibranches eat 5 heads in three days? Plus another zoa? Ive read they blend in and are hard to spot. I read that salifert flat worm exit is an effective reef safe treatment. Anyone ever tried it? I'm starting a new tank and don't want any pests. :sad:

They couldn't have blown away, too established on the frag.

 

[the-bubonic-one]

That sucks! Only thing I an suggest if your parameters are all good Isolate all your zoas in a bucket and treat with coral Rx or similar treatment. If it is a pest chances are they are sitting on one of your frags.

 

[dine]

flatworm will work (if flatworms are the problem) but read up on it. you do not want to nuke your tank

 

[db366]

Take them out and check for Nudis. It wouldn't just be one or two at this point, it would be a infestation.

 

[maelstrom79]

What's the best way to spot them?

Few articles on salifert and nudis:

http://www.practicalcoralfarming.com/zoonudis.html">http://www.practicalcoralfarming.com/zoonudis.html</a>

[IMG]http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/resources.asp?show=15">http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/resources.asp?show=15</a>

 

[cantare00]

Make sure you don't have any sundial snails, they are common hitchhikers and they like to eat zoas.

alt="" />

They are pretty easy to distinguish due to the spikey foot.

 

[jennm]

Bristleworms won't eat healthy zoas (or healthy anything).

Usually when nudibranchs are present, the zoas close up.

Jenn

 

[maelstrom79]

Well they haven't been closing! I did see a white dot or two on one but that is likely sand. Surely nudis don't eat a whole bunch in a day or two? I haven't seen any snails other than the ones I got. Do sundials come out at night? Hide in the live rock?

 

[crewdawg1981]

What zoas disappeared on ya?

Man, sometimes they just detach and float away never to be seen again, sometimes they melt, sometimes they die and fish/inverts eat em. Even when you do everything right.

At least thats been my experience. Frustrating for sure.

 

[maelstrom79]

Ugh positive thoughts big John! Positive!

 

[rjrgroup]

Blue legged hermits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Change to Mexican red leg, IMO.

 

[ibleedblue65]

I had a cleaner shrimp that ate zoas. I saw him do it. He was banished

 

[mvm]

ibleedblue65;747778 wrote: I had a cleaner shrimp that ate zoas. I saw him do it. He was banished

Nope.

 

[the-bubonic-one]

rjrgroup;747266 wrote: Blue legged hermits!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Change to Mexican red leg, IMO.

Have had blue legs for 12 years never had any mess with anything. Not even a snail. Red legs have killed snails for a new condo.

 

[ibleedblue65]

MvM;747779 wrote: Nope.

I watched him rip the head off an eagle eye.

 

[maelstrom79]

It could be anything it seems like. My eagle eyes are gone now!