Zoa spiders - Help!

[JoeLePaul]

Hey guys,

I've received a batch of new colorful zoas today.

BUT...BUT there were some Zoa spiders on them! I did a freshwater dip and removed 7 of them (zoanthus frag was about 3x3 cm).
Now I'm scared to put them into my tank. But I don't have a quarantine tank and keep the zoas in the same water they were sent with in small glasses. No liverock, no bacteria, no ventilation. Only light (the same as in the main tank).

So...what do you think how long can I keep them inside these small glasses in "stale" water? How tough are they?

Hope you can help me out.

Joe

 

[mfinn]

You need to get them in regular water. Since you don't have a q-tank and you have done a freshwater dip, acclimate them and keep a eye on them.
You might do a dip using tank water using any single following chemicals FWE, ReVive, Melafix, Lugols or even Coral Rx.
I'm sure there are others.
Keep a eye on them and any other zoanthids in your display tank.
Maybe do another dip or two tomorrow.

 

[Myteemouse]

UUUU They are SUPER hard to get rid of,. SALMONSLAYER and FRAGMAN have experience in these. hit them up for some helpp

 

[crazyfish253]

Fragman uses melafix. Hit him up for sure. The dose hey uses is about 16 to 20oz slat water 7ml melafix 10 minutes. I've seen it work on a few pest's but check with him. welcome to REEFFRONTIERS

 

[JoeLePaul]

I've put all zoas where I couldnt find spiders in the tank. But I never saw the dipped colony open ONCE. All other colonies did. I'm scared to put a dozen of spider eggs into the tank, who knows whats inside those closed polyps.

Soo, could I keep them in stale water for a while more (I'm changing part of the water regularly, using my tank water as base)?

Joe

 

[user 26995]

What I would do is put them in a container with a heater and a power head. I think you can keep them there for a while. Just do a partial water change every day.
And dip them in melafix or coral rx and inspect them real good. Maybe brush them off with a soft tooth brush.

 

[crazyfish253]

Well hopefully there being digested. I haven't had to deal with them yet. Looking forward to the day we get to meet I like killing reef pest's

 

[JoeLePaul]

Thats what my poor zoas look like right now. You notice the rotted polyps in-between?

 

[JoeLePaul]

 

[crazyfish253]

Not diped well enough. There is a amphipod in there. That means there could be other life to. LLS and bristle worm

 

[JoeLePaul]

Dipped it again, now every lifeform should be gone for good. Except eventual zoa eggs which could be hiding in those rotting zoa polyps
Does Melafix help against Spider EGGS?

Joe

 

[crazyfish253]

Don't know the answer to that one. Ill dig around see if I can find one.

 

[JoeLePaul]

Oh ****, the zoanthid colony has started to rot and smells pretty bad...

Should I try to cut and save some seeminly healthy polyps?

Joe

 

[saltwaterfishes]

How big is your tank? I usually have a yellow coris wrasse to keep pests under control. I have bought frags with spiders, dipped them really good. Watch your other polyps closely....I check things out when lights are off and polyps are closed. Many times I have found frags/colonies that needs to be treated before it's too late.

 

[saltwaterfishes]

Oh ****, the zoanthid colony has started to rot and smells pretty bad...

Should I try to cut and save some seeminly healthy polyps?

Joe

Yes, keep only healthy ones. Rotten ones eventually will kill whole colony.

 

[JoeLePaul]

Now THAT was an act. protection over protection - done outside. Cut the colony into pieces with scissoirs, removing the bad ones. I now have 5 frags with 5-10 polyps each. Let's see how much of them open... I won't introduce them into my tank earlier.

 

[JoeLePaul]

Finally, one of the small polyp frags (yellow zoa) has opened and showed itself. The other frags have not but I'm happy with a single one since it WILL multiply.

I've attached some more zoas I've gotten in the same batch and which are of good health. Hope you like 'em.

Joe

 

[user 26995]

Ooooo Those are some really pretty zoas!

 

[crazyfish253]

Looking way better.

 

[saltwaterfishes]

Pretty zoas.