Clownfish eggs???

[Steph72]

I posted this in the hitchhiker forum but also wanted to get input from clownfish folks... I found some weird stuff on my zoa colony yesterday. Do y’all think these could be clownfish eggs?! My clowns have never laid eggs before but I have noticed a lot of dancing and spawning behavior lately. I’m hoping it’s not something bad that will hurt the corals. I put a scraping under the microscope and am pretty sure this is some kind of animal because I could see cardiac motion on one of them. Let me know if you recognize these!

 

[Mikedawg]

I would think that if these were eggs, mom and dad clownfish would be keeping them clean, etc. Also, kinda doubt that they would find such a placement suitable for offspring.

 

[D-Nak]

Not clownfish eggs. The female will lay on flat surfaces, cleaning the area before laying.

Those look like a type of polyp (I forgot the name) that creates a web-like structure as it grows on and over things, such as zoas and palys. I consider it a pest and remove it with tweezers. Once you get ahold of a section, it should peel right off.

 

[Coral therapy]

They look like colonial tunicates

 

[Steph72]

They look like colonial tunicates

I looked them up...definitely a possibility. I feel stupid for asking, but are they bad? I’m debating whether to just keep an eye on things or pull the coral out and dip it....never a dull moment! Lol

 

[Steph72]

Not clownfish eggs. The female will lay on flat surfaces, cleaning the area before laying.

Those look like a type of polyp (I forgot the name) that creates a web-like structure as it grows on and over things, such as zoas and palys. I consider it a pest and remove it with tweezers. Once you get ahold of a section, it should peel right off.

Thanks...I’m going to pull the coral out and see what I can do. Fingers crossed

 

[chizerbunoi]

I think you should be careful and wear eye and hand protection. Zoas and Palys are poisonous. Even scraping and breathing in the fumes/juice can send you to the hospital. Look into it before you start and good luck.

 

[Steph72]

I think you should be careful and wear eye and hand protection. Zoas and Palys are poisonous. Even scraping and breathing in the fumes/juice can send you to the hospital. Look into it before you start and good luck.

Definitely! I don’t want to be anywhere near an ER especially right now

 

[Cell]

Example, laid this morning

 

[Coral therapy]

I looked them up...definitely a possibility. I feel stupid for asking, but are they bad? I’m debating whether to just keep an eye on things or pull the coral out and dip it....never a dull moment! Lol

I’ve never had any issues personally, i don’t believe they sting or release toxins. So unless they over grow something your probably fine