I need a Zoanthid eating fish!

[returnofsid]

I need a fish that WILL, not 'might' eat Zoanthids/Palys, but WON'T eat SPS or bother an RBTA.

I've got some nasty Palys that have taken over the bottom of my 200DD. About a year ago, it was a small infestation growing up the front glass. I quickly scraped them out, with a razor blade, and scooped them out, along with their VERY THICK slime, with a net. The next morning all of my Montipora corals were DEAD! Now it's a HUGE infestation and I'm ready to take drastic measures, up to and including tearing down the tank to get rid of them. However, if I can find a fish that will DEFINITELY eat them, I'll go that route. I've also got some mushrooms that I don't want so if I found a fish that would eat Zoanthids/Palys/Mushrooms...BONUS!

I can remove all of my LPS, Clams and any Zoanthids that I want to keep, moving them to different tanks. However, I cannot move the RBTA or the SPS corals.

So far, I'm thinking about different Butterfly fish, such as a Raccoon, and different large Angelfish. However, I have no idea which species is MOST LIKELY to devour massive amounts of offensive Zoanthids/Palys!

Any ideas!?

My other option is to remove all of the wanted livestock, to a stock tank, remove all of the offending Palys, including removing rocks that have some growing on them, and then move everything back into the tank. This is an option that I can do, but I'd rather not, if there's a fish option.

 

[1guydude]

I say u have a break down party and get in their and clean it and remove anything u dont want... maybe some aquascaping too idk.
-d

if u need a hand...make a thread and ask yo.

 

[returnofsid]

I say u have a break down party and get in their and clean it and remove anything u dont want... maybe some aquascaping too idk.
-d

if u need a hand...make a thread and ask yo.

That was my original plan, without the party, and I'm prepared to do that if needed. Just thought if I could find a fish/Cowrie option, I'd go that direction. I've already planned out how to tear the whole tank down, over a few days, and might end up going that route.

 

[1guydude]

have u tried the crowrie? I bought a deer crowrie once and was told it was "reef safe".
HA! Lil SOB ate a $50 zoo rock!

 

[estanoche]

I wonder what Kevin has - he's always got an angel or two in stock that are of the coral eating variety

Maybe you can train your rabbit to eat them?? pack his favorite food down in with the palys and see if he accidentally eats a few?

 

[mercenary-grunt]

I know that the magnificent fox face is said to be able to and mine is always pecking at rocks. So I would guess that it is a good bet. Also mine is full grown so he has a tendency to eat alot.

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[Krish]

Don't get something that will eat the rest of your corals Sid!!

 

[returnofsid]

have u tried the crowrie? I bought a deer crowrie once and was told it was "reef safe".
HA! Lil SOB ate a $50 zoo rock!

I've just heard today, on another forum, about Cowries eating Zoanthids. Still researching that as an option.

I wonder what Kevin has - he's always got an angel or two in stock that are of the coral eating variety

Maybe you can train your rabbit to eat them?? pack his favorite food down in with the palys and see if he accidentally eats a few?

I'm planning on talking with Kevin but was too busy today with Madison's dance recital.

I know that the magnificent fox face is said to be able to and mine is always pecking at rocks. So I would guess that it is a good bet. Also mine is full grown so he has a tendency to eat alot.

Sent from my MB525 using Tapatalk 2

I have a Magnificent Rabbit Fish that doesn't touch Zoanthids. I also have a One Spot Foxface that also doesn't touch Zoanthids, so no luck there...lol.

Don't get something that will eat the rest of your corals Sid!!

Exactly!

 

[NotClear]

Get sundial snails to eat Zoas. I have a magnificent foxface too, don't touch any corals.


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[returnofsid]

Get sundial snails to eat Zoas. I have a magnificent foxface too, don't touch any corals.


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Eventually, I'll want to be able to possibly reintroduce Zoanthids to this tank so a Sundial isn't an option.

 

[TJL]

Michael, do you still have the Matted Filefish ??? The one I borrowed after eating all the Mojanos then did an excellent job of devouring most of my Green & Brown Button Palys and Acans, and all of the following... RPE's, Purple Hornets, Avitars, Eagle Eyes, Kedd Reds and Mean Greens. Yet did not touch many others. Good luck with this one but would think a variety of Filefish would be your best route.

Cheers, Todd

 

[returnofsid]

I do still have a Tomatosus Filefish. However, it's in a different tank that does have plenty of Zoanthids. It doesn't even notice that they're there...lol.

I'm considering the option of removing the RBTA, possibly rehoming it along with the B/W Occellaris pair, and adding an Angelfish...lol. Just gotta figure out which Angelfish would be most likely to eat the Palys, without bothering any SPS. I'm also a bit concerned with possible Palytoxins and how it may effect a fish that eats them.

I probably should just break down the tank and do it myself...Ugh...

 

[1guydude]

u could pay someone to do it lol Cash is king in america

 

[returnofsid]

Oh heck no! No one works on my tanks but me...lol. Except when I make Angie work on her own tank, every once in awhile...lol

 

[1guydude]

thats funnny right thur. I hear ya though...these b my tanks!

 

[Maxx]

Sid,
I would suggest seeing if you could get a larger angel of some sort. My Regal decided after 3 years that Zoanthids were on the menu and wetn after them with a vengeance........
I've heard of Pomacanthus angels going after Zoas before.
Is there someone local who has a known zoanthid eating angel you could borrow for a bit?

Nick

 

[returnofsid]

Sid,
I would suggest seeing if you could get a larger angel of some sort. My Regal decided after 3 years that Zoanthids were on the menu and wetn after them with a vengeance........
I've heard of Pomacanthus angels going after Zoas before.
Is there someone local who has a known zoanthid eating angel you could borrow for a bit?

Nick

A large Angel is an option I'm researching. At this point, if I do go that route, I want to make the best guess as to which species is MOST LIKELY to eat Zoanthids...lol. Unfortunately, I don't want to wait for an Angel to decide it wants to eat them HAHA.

I only know a couple locals people who have Fish Only systems so borrowing an Angel might not be easy.

 

[Maxx]

The angelfish most likely to eat Zoa's from what I've read is the Regal Angel......and they can be tough to get acclimated.

Nick

 

[1guydude]

maybe u could post an add...maybe rent an angel lol.

 

[Bosco83]

If you get an angel you will have to qt it or probably introduce ich into your tank that would be worse than getting rid of the polyps. What about the laser option and start killing a couple every night? I would love one to kill off polyps and mushrooms they just cost too much. Or you could try the aiptasia zapper thing people are making.