Zoanthid Varmints

[milhouse74]

I did some fresh water dips once because I placed in a coral that had them, and the fresh was needed.

I now fresh water dip ALL zoos when I bring them home. I then inspect them while they are closed up from the dip before putting them in the tank.

[GeorgeW]

Originally Posted by GeoJoe

If you see part of your colony closed up, check for these guys climbing around near the skirts of the zoo. They take on the color of the zoo that they are eating, so it is very hard to see them.

Is the closing up intermitent or constant in response to the nudis?

I have a mated pair of banded coral shrimp and when the happy couple goes out for a romp, the subsequent trampling of the zoos colony can close them up for a bit, but they come back later just fine.

[milhouse74]

Any kind of irritation can cause them to close up. it does not have to be a nudi.

[Aquazoa]

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the kind words. I go through phases of logging on here but I am happy to help share info. Anyway, a nice couple that I've recently met that are nudibranch enthusiasts did some research themselves and likewise found the toxicity of these varmints was considerable. Since Zoanthus are closely related to Palythoa ("crater polyps") which contains palytoxin it is no wonder they too would be concentrating such a substance to deter predation. Be careful.....
I nearly forgot about another Zoanthid varmint that truly needs to be mentioned here while we're on the subject, Heliacus (Sundial) snails. Although attractive, coiled, black and white striped gastropods, these critters also can do significant damage to zoos.
In my observation any coral that is being actively predated upon will stay shriveled up for as long as the damage is being done.

[Loverotties]

Wow! thanks for this threadI only have a little bit of zoos(for some reson no one stocks them around here!)But if I go to buy ,I'll watch for it.Never new this!Thanks!