Algae on Zoanthus

[mauireef]

I recently purchased a medium sized Zoanthus colony from a local fish dealer before the lights were on in his shop (big mistake). When I got it home it was in sad shape to say the least. After a day, some of the polyps opened and I was mildly optimistic. Too soon however. Within days about half of the polyps looked shrunken and off color and soon had what looks like a cyano bacteria film growing on them.

I don't want to give up on these guys. Any ideas/cures/home remedies would be welcome.

 

[Clearblue303]

I have it.Mines are brownish with green interior.
I had a hard time at the beginning,they just didn't open.But they are very hardy,so keep up with them.Mine had polyps fallen off(I reattached them on different rocks with success).I think it took about 2 months 'till all opened(first 1-2,than ever more).
The cyano.
The worst cyano infestation in my tank was on that rock.Eventually all got covered thick with red slime.
Now,here you must find the couse of the things.Mine (I think )was the usage of only filtered water,this containing phosphate that feeds the cyano.
I desperately took the rock out in a bowl and brushed it off sometimes.The slime was back within days.Will not kill the polyps,but they suffer(same with the cleaning).

Good news,I've got rid of it.
- First,I started to use DI water.I bought a Tap Water Purifyer,did a 25-30% w/change.
- I've put in some caluerpa tied to a rock.This is supposed to use up excess nutrients from the tank.
- Do w/changes regularily(I ignored this).
- I bought and used Red Slime Remover(from Ultra life).This stuff is great,I credit this to the success.

Many people are against using chemicals to solve problems.All I can tell you,it did no harm for my reef and fishes.You must watch the PH(it didn't affect mine).

After the polyps open a bit,you can feed them with meaty stuff(reef formula),they catch pieces and retract them.

Good luck!
FM

 

[davelin315]

Put them in good current under good lighting and they'll eventually recover. Part of the problem could also be that they are not used to the light you are giving them, and are hiding because of that. I took on some yellow polyps and zooanthids from a friend and they came in all shriveled up and black. It took about a month for them to recover in my tank, and now they're growing all over the place.

 

[esmithiii]

Zoaanthids are incredibly hearty. Make sure the current is not too strong. I have useda turkey baster to blow off cyano and the polyps don't seem to mind- they open back up after 10 min or so. I have had colonies closed for over a month that are now thriving in my tank.

IMO, zooanthids are very cool additions to your tank. The variety of colors is amazing.

Make sure that you don't handle them if you have any cuts or abrasions on your hands as they are quite toxic. I have heard that pacific islanders used to tip their spears with juice from zooanthids as a poison.

The larger varieties will eat as much as you give them. The smaller ones don't seem to feed. I give mine brine shrimp or very small (rice-sized) pieces of shrimp or scalops using chopsticks, believe it or not. They close right up on the meat and "swallow" it within 2 minutes and open for more.

Mine have grown well in the upper portion of my 55G tank under 2x65W PC bulbs, but now they are in my 180 on the substrate under 2x400W 6500K MH w/ 2x96W PC Actinic lights and are opened more than ever before.

E

 

[Christyf5]

I bought some zooanthids from a store I had never been to before. they were all closed up and brown looking. The girl assured me that they had been open before and that they were "kind of green" in the middle. Well the price was right so I bought them and put them in my tank. It took almost 3 weeks before they even thought about opening up. I was really worried. I set one of the powerheads close by to flush off any algal growth and sure enough they opened and were a brilliant green in the middle. They're doing awesome now. Just be patient

Christy