Ohio Reef

Reef Discussion => Pests, Nudsiance Algae and Prevention => Topic started by: lazylivin on January 31, 2010, 00:23:06

Title: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: lazylivin on January 31, 2010, 00:23:06
Several AEFW (Acropora Eating Flatworm) Found on a coral purchased from LFS after dipping in Revive. Small as a grain of sand up to a piece of rice. The worst pest to have in a reef tank with hardcorals and no know treatment that is reef safe.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FJunk%2FIMG_1219.jpg&hash=7a264eb377f3ae5f4f91a55b62403e5e809389da)
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: slandis3 on January 31, 2010, 00:28:49
What about interceptor? I know it will kill snails and crabs as well as the bad. Will it work on the AEFW?
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: lazylivin on January 31, 2010, 00:39:27
Unfortunately it wont kill AEFW. There are things that can kill them such as pig dewormer. However it is extremely harsh on corals and they can only survive for a short period of time in the solution. With this said each coral would have to be removed from the system to run it through the treatment and the eggs still survive since they are protected from the medication. There have been a few folks that have reported successful eradication however it was an expensive and  time consuming process. MPolletti being one of them.

If anyone ever finds them it is best to just throw away the coral. If found in the main display tank some have been able to live with them by blowing them off with a power head every few days. There are a few scientist in this hobby who are looking for a cure but nothing notable yet.

Edited for spelling and grammar
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: Riderc82 on January 31, 2010, 01:08:16
And when they do they will become rich overnight.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: lazylivin on January 31, 2010, 01:18:48
And when they do they will become rich overnight.

YUP!
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: lazylivin on January 31, 2010, 01:21:51
Teddy Bear Crab. Hard Coral Predator

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FJunk%2F2709002.jpg&hash=65a82d82bd4c268c6d760237be34fd9e3d656a93)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FJunk%2F2709012.jpg&hash=b44d26d5b0c7d41219a2ceacf3cfddf8072c7bce)

Red Bugs

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FJunk%2F2009-3066.jpg&hash=f055d489ea85820076291c8ffeed4f968b5510db)

Month after treatment

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FJunk%2Ffishtank120.jpg&hash=a04b6358342defdb75c508cf56bfb6ae41de320d)
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: jd on January 31, 2010, 01:26:16
Great pictures Lazy.

I wish I had a species tank just for that teddy bear crab :)
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: UDJustin on January 31, 2010, 09:59:54
Great pictures Lazy.

I wish I had a species tank just for that teddy bear crab :)
he is cute isnt he
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: HUNGER on January 31, 2010, 10:30:19
y cant you justin put him in your tank lol
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: UDJustin on January 31, 2010, 10:45:56
I do have a few extra tanks laying around for him lol
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: HUNGER on January 31, 2010, 10:48:34
exltly
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: cyberwollf on January 31, 2010, 16:23:38
I do have a few extra tanks laying around for him lol

I dont think he can wait 2 years for you to set up a tank for him.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: HUNGER on January 31, 2010, 17:09:43
ouch   ;D
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: Riderc82 on January 31, 2010, 18:47:36
LOL.....that must be why Justin wants my 30 gallon cube  ;D
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: HUNGER on February 04, 2010, 16:59:45
wow ur finding all kinds of things
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: micki on February 04, 2010, 18:19:47
Lazy, After looking at your picture, I'm almost wondering if maybe I have red bugs...
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: ghurlag on February 04, 2010, 22:31:09
I'm quite careful. I also take photos of critters i find in other ppl's tanks with permission.

Who's permission?  The critters?  Are you a parasite-paparazzi, Nikki?
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: cyberwollf on February 04, 2010, 22:38:11
Who's permission?  The critters?  Are you a parasite-paparazzi, Nikki?

Look there's redbugs&flatworms plus 8. Quick get a picture... ok its a lame joke.. but im still clicking the post button HA
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: Rayman on February 05, 2010, 00:18:35
Thanks for sharing everyone, i see tank nightmares in the near future.

when a b.worm gets bigger what does it prey on exactly?
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: HUNGER on February 05, 2010, 17:25:22
Thanks for sharing everyone, i see tank nightmares in the near future.

when a b.worm gets bigger what does it prey on exactly?
ya but some are cool looken
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: rayviv on February 05, 2010, 20:15:50

The last pic of the small starfish that is the SPS eating starfish; Is that black, and are they also white?

Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: Reefd Up on February 05, 2010, 20:31:38
There are several different types of SPS-eating starfish.  Some are bluish, others are tan & white.  The one in my photo above was blue.  There's no easy way to tell if it's a pest other than if it's eating your coral.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: rayviv on February 05, 2010, 22:00:05
And are these not always evenly shaped and maybe even missing a leg and small?
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: Reefd Up on February 05, 2010, 22:03:19
I've only seen one species in person.  Some starfish (like the crown of thorns) are extremely large...and eat coral.  There are plenty of starfish that eat coral...including the chocolate chip starfish, which is medium sized. 

If a starfish is missing a leg...or has more than "normal"...it's normal.  There doesn't seem to be a good indicator at all as to which of the small "asterina" starfish will eat coral and which won't.  If you see a starfish on the healthy flesh of your coral...just pick it off.  Otherwise, you're probably fine.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: rayviv on February 05, 2010, 22:30:11
Thanks ;D
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: lazylivin on February 12, 2010, 21:14:36
Not really a pest but thought if someone was looking for a problem with there zoa's they may look here.

It is called zoa pox. Not sure if anyone really knows if it is a bacterial infection or virus but it is extremely hard to cure.

This small colony came to me with just a couple of polyps that had it and it spread very quickly. It was dead before I knew what happen.

It looks like sand but not in all cases. Deep-water zoa's are notorious for acquiring it.

4/10/2009
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FJunk%2F4-10-09027.jpg&hash=6c53f98ff310e982adcd28fc7390e36ab4bbd6e8)

4/18/2009
(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi486.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr227%2Flazylivin%2FJunk%2F041809071.jpg&hash=d86d51aca5216c3d742a4f5346387e4b2cee1b6e)
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: HUNGER on February 12, 2010, 21:16:12
wow thats weird
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: jd on February 12, 2010, 21:24:33
Brian, there is a thread on RC about dosing vitamin C to help with zoa-pox, did you ever try that?
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: lazylivin on February 13, 2010, 00:08:50
Brian, there is a thread on RC about dosing vitamin C to help with zoa-pox, did you ever try that?

I have only done the zoaid.com treatments one of which is Furan-2 with marginal success at best.  I will have to check out the Vitamin C if it ever strikes again.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: jd on February 13, 2010, 00:11:37
I have only done the zoaid.com treatments one of which is Furan-2 with marginal success at best.  I will have to check out the Vitamin C if it ever strikes again.

vit C is also supposed to help with color.. I'll see if I can dig up the thread.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: rayviv on February 13, 2010, 08:32:25
vit C is also supposed to help with color.. I'll see if I can dig up the thread.
I take vit-c but I am still Pale
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: jd on February 13, 2010, 09:38:20
I take vit-c but I am still Pale


But you've never had zoapox have you?  :D



Here's the thread, I swear I read it help zoas color up...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1252294 (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1252294)
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: rayviv on February 13, 2010, 12:25:41
But you've never had zoapox have you?  :D



Here's the thread, I swear I read it help zoas color up...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1252294 (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1252294)

There was no dispute about MR. DR. JD Sir! :laugh:
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: Wall_Tank on March 28, 2010, 19:58:47
Zoa Eating Nudibranch -

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi681.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fvv174%2FWall_Tank%2FZoa-Nudi.jpg&hash=8affb7424f456ef1fa94c38d1008bd2ebd655c1d)

Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: HUNGER on March 28, 2010, 22:28:34
wow nice catch
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: Riderc82 on March 28, 2010, 23:47:15
Wow that is actually pretty cool looking.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: HUNGER on March 29, 2010, 08:29:58
ya it is
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: Wall_Tank on March 29, 2010, 20:33:40
Wow that is actually pretty cool looking.

It was with some BamBams, so it blended in great.  I wonder if these change color to match what they prey on?

Does anyone know what it takes from Egg to the size pictured in the photo?   Trying to figure out if I missed eggs, or the effectiveness of Revive.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine... Not for the faint-hearted!
Post by: Seano Hermano on July 01, 2010, 14:00:23
I've come across a spaghetti worm, which I have only seen a few times, & a bristle worm. The bristle is probably about 3 - 4" now. I will look for a picture of the bristle. It's pretty big.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: lazylivin on August 25, 2012, 11:40:26
Live Aquaria Limited Edition Coral. Comes with certification of authenticity, vet checked and guaranteed pest free. Grown on site in their aquaculture facility. Actual picture on their site of their famous Acropora Secale aka Purple Haze Acro. Red bug infested

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg38.imageshack.us%2Fimg38%2F5729%2Flg082012d230a.jpg&hash=e880ac7ff4fa6c5a7a6853478ae173070468b4dc)

ORA corals from saltwaterfish.com. They told me all their ORA corals are kept separate from any other corals and if I found anything then it came from ORA that way. Here is what I found.

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg155.imageshack.us%2Fimg155%2F8978%2Fimg6463mk.jpg&hash=cf4ff83fc39c496e4df6cb4c1ce58072e2b3ed16)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg193.imageshack.us%2Fimg193%2F585%2Fimg6466f.jpg&hash=46c2a473ffedd1e2268a8dae9be60cf9289c5c81)
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: Wall_Tank on August 26, 2012, 12:14:49
Did your Purple Haze from LA have red bugs too?    What did Live Aquaria have to say.   Has to make you think of what defines a pest.

What is on the second picture.......or is that the coral that the flat worms came from?
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: lazylivin on August 26, 2012, 12:39:43
It could have however I treated with interceptor and red-bugs hide and are so small that I don't think they could be seen when dipping. The picture from saltwaterfish.com is of the coral that the flatworms came from. Not sure if that is AEFW or some other kind but I throw it away, didn't chance it.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: Twizted1 on August 26, 2012, 13:05:25
Does coral ex not kill AEFW's?
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: Wall_Tank on August 26, 2012, 13:10:09
Does coral ex not kill AEFW's?

No.   It disturbs them and make is easy to blow off.......but where there are flat worms, there are typically eggs.   The eggs can be hard to find, and are much more of a concern.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: Twizted1 on August 26, 2012, 13:52:59
So if you wanted to save a coral, you need to qt it? Are you safe then. Or is it best to just pitch em?
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: Kenn on August 26, 2012, 14:02:37
In my limited experience, I have never had a good experience trying to save a coral when pests are found on them. With the exception of zoa eating nudibranchs which don't worry me much after treatment of an incoming frag.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: Wall_Tank on August 26, 2012, 14:14:06
So if you wanted to save a coral, you need to qt it? Are you safe then. Or is it best to just pitch em?

You could QT it and keep dipping it through the life-cycle of the flatworm.    I found out I had flat worms when I tore my 90 gallon down.    I dipped my corals, and then cut off anything that was not alive, cut apart all branches.  Then I re-dipped all of the frags the next 2 weeks.    I watched all of the corals for 2 months before I even thought about transferring to my new tank....

The coral that had the worst infestation was the size of a baseball, I only recovered 4 small frags from it........Only one made it, and is growing well now....a nice mini-colony.   I lost 70% of my acros through this process........but I had to be sure.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: lazylivin on August 26, 2012, 14:25:50
That is probably the only way to do it is start fresh like you did Paul. It sucks but best in the long wrong. The only pests I don't really worry to much about is redbugs as in tank treatment is no big deal. The pest that has me most paranoid is bubble algae, bryopsis and AEFW.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: rayviv on August 26, 2012, 20:30:10
This is such good info for those who do not as a practice quarantine. Thanks to all.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: chromiumlux on August 26, 2012, 20:35:29
You could QT it and keep dipping it through the life-cycle of the flatworm.    I found out I had flat worms when I tore my 90 gallon down.    I dipped my corals, and then cut off anything that was not alive, cut apart all branches.  Then I re-dipped all of the frags the next 2 weeks.    I watched all of the corals for 2 months before I even thought about transferring to my new tank....

The coral that had the worst infestation was the size of a baseball, I only recovered 4 small frags from it........Only one made it, and is growing well now....a nice mini-colony.   I lost 70% of my acros through this process........but I had to be sure.


I went through a similar issue with Bryopsis. Lost all my acros.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: lazylivin on March 18, 2013, 07:57:36
Thought a good idea to bump thread with swap coming up. Quarantine your new corals if possible. It is also a good idea depending on the type of coral to remove it from any substrate it came in on. The pest in most cases will be hiding in it. Try to put just the coral in your tank. I like to cut sps off it's base. Take a tooth brush to the bottoms of LPS and clams and dip everything in coral RX or revive. Nothing is fool proof they can sometimes still find there way in but dipping corals can greatly reduce the chances. Always dip in a white bucket and use lots if light. After letting the coral sit for 3-5 minutes swish it around and inspect what comes off. Also look at the coral under a magnifying glass. If you have doubts throw the coral away or post up a picture of the pest for help identifing it. A coral can live in a 5 gallon bucket with heat and water circulation for a few days while you get identification or treat a couple days in a row. If you have a qUarntine tank you still need to dip an inspect. Also note that many times the seller doesn't know they have pest so if you find something let them know. Also some don't consider some things pests and believe it is biodiversity in their system which can be a very true statement. Most everything has its place in the ocean but without its predators in our tank can be an issue.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: aquavista99 on March 19, 2013, 21:49:05
As one of the hardcore SPS guys who has been in the hobby for a while, I quarantine all my new arrivals in a separate quarantine system for a minimum of 6 weeks to 2 months, for observation and preventive treatment, before the frags are allowed into my display tank.

By properly quarantining all new arrivals, you can easily prevent introducing a whole host of unwanted pests into your reef system as well.   :-ThumbUpsm

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi122.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo256%2Faquavista99%2FP3052423_zps72231f7f.jpg&hash=54a4e8354fff806ba7af1aa43f4bbc5e8c782ad3)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi122.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo256%2Faquavista99%2Fphoto-10_zpsd8831e2d.jpg&hash=9ab67d7b70659c5e67c2b7ac00f2c091cbe09e19)
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: Twizted1 on March 19, 2013, 22:07:19
As one of the hardcore SPS guys who has been in the hobby for a while, I quarantine all my new arrivals in a separate quarantine system for a minimum of 6 weeks to 2 months, for observation and preventive treatment, before the frags are allowed into my display tank.

By properly quarantining all new arrivals, you can easily prevent introducing a whole host of unwanted pests into your reef system as well.   :-ThumbUpsm

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi122.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo256%2Faquavista99%2FP3052423_zps72231f7f.jpg&hash=54a4e8354fff806ba7af1aa43f4bbc5e8c782ad3)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi122.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo256%2Faquavista99%2Fphoto-10_zpsd8831e2d.jpg&hash=9ab67d7b70659c5e67c2b7ac00f2c091cbe09e19)

Prevention is always easier than dealing with a problem in your dt.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: lazylivin on March 19, 2013, 23:22:18
Tim while your SPS are in QT do you need to add any chemicals or do you find small frags can do just fine? Another couple questions do you need to do a water change during this time and what about filtration? Can you setup tank and add hob filter and corals right away on demand or do you have to run through a cycle ahead of time. Just wondering with frag and no real waste what would be required to maintain their health during the 6 weeks to 2 months.
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: aquavista99 on March 20, 2013, 18:54:30


Hagen AquaClear power filters work great for temporary setups because it allows you to immediately set up a tank for quarantine so long as you allow the mechanical / biological filter media (ie, ceramic media and filter sponge) to cycle first in your display tank or sump a few weeks in advance (ie, if you place the filter media into an established system as pictured below, it will collect lots of beneficial bacteria overtime which can be transferred over to the temporary qt system to sustain corals, fish and inverts, etc).  As for maintaining water parameters while in qt, you may have to add chemicals (two-part) over time to maintain water parameters but weekly water changes to your qt system may be enough to maintain your levels as well. 


(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi122.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo256%2Faquavista99%2FP8132296.jpg&hash=52bb3d3c89e311584699d95a07499eab3daa37bc)

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi122.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fo256%2Faquavista99%2FP4211978.jpg&hash=a69c3b3ab2c87003a62b1bbda7c7bd7cd27ae02f)






Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: vickiwilson on March 20, 2013, 20:00:06
Great posts.  I wish i had known about the benefits of QT when i first started, my tank has ended up with flatworms, not the AEFW (at least i don't think) but they're annoying and i don't want to risk a tank crash by chemically killing them.  Maybe in the summer when 'm not so busy i'll tear down the tank and get rid of them by treating/dipping everything.  My tanks infestation seems to be pretty bad so i siphon them out regularly, here they are at their worst

(https://ohioreef.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi156.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ft1%2Fvickiwilson91%2Fphoto315_zps692c4fa4.jpg&hash=41d22e5bd5c1f110654b74f33dec57faacbea39b)

Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: lazylivin on November 16, 2013, 12:12:51
Found this great AEFW study being done by tektite on R2R http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/138618-acropora-acro-eating-flatworms-experiments-study.html (http://www.reef2reef.com/forums/general-sps-discussion/138618-acropora-acro-eating-flatworms-experiments-study.html)
Title: Re: Best Reasons to Quarantine...
Post by: chromiumlux on November 17, 2013, 07:15:43
This is a great thread and study.