Invasive purple clove polyps

[DothanReefer]

I am glad to see a similar thread to what I have been dealing with for years.

I would echo everyone's statement that if you do have this move quickly and kill them as fast as you can... they spread like wildfire.

Typically i have been re-curing rocks that get the scourge but also treating with a calk mixture applied for a prolonged time has had success for me in the past as well. Need to leave it on with no flow and then siphon it off.

Any other tips/tricks from others would be very welcome.

I put rocks from display that were covered by these PCPs into sump (no light in there) for almost 2 years and when I pulled them up to replace the rocks in display that were covered in these buggars, they never died!! Just went clear and came right back, covering the "new" rocks within a week!! dang, I hate these things...

 

[MoshJosh]

If it makes anyone feel better I have introduced these into my tank on purpose and they wont grow haha

Note sure what it is about my tanks, but if I figure it out I will let you know. If I had to guess I would say super low nutrients, but that wont work for a lot of people. . . I also swear I watched a Halloween hermit eat a colony of these once. . . though may have been algae on the rock and the polyps were just casualties. . .

 

[DothanReefer]

If it makes anyone feel better I have introduced these into my tank on purpose and they wont grow haha

Note sure what it is about my tanks, but if I figure it out I will let you know. If I had to guess I would say super low nutrients, but that wont work for a lot of people. . . I also swear I watched a Halloween hermit eat a colony of these once. . . though may have been algae on the rock and the polyps were just casualties. . .

Dude, take them out!!!

 

[MoshJosh]

Dude, take them out!!!

Nah they have been in there for months and months at this point. They aren't even the ones I added, those are long gone. Every once and a while a polyp pops up but then disappears. Think I can count the number of polyps on both hands. . . watch I have jinxed myself and now I will have an outbreak.

 

[MoshJosh]

If it makes anyone feel better I have introduced these into my tank on purpose and they wont grow haha

Note sure what it is about my tanks, but if I figure it out I will let you know. If I had to guess I would say super low nutrients, but that wont work for a lot of people. . . I also swear I watched a Halloween hermit eat a colony of these once. . . though may have been algae on the rock and the polyps were just casualties. . .

I do wonder, if not halloween hermits might there be a coralivore that would take special interest in these polyps. I would think they would be easy picking for the right fish.

 

[DothanReefer]

Nah they have been in there for months and months at this point. They aren't even the ones I added, those are long gone. Every once and a while a polyp pops up but then disappears. Think I can count the number of polyps on both hands. . . watch I have jinxed myself and now I will have an outbreak.

Man...I wish I could go back to where you are...no doubt I'd fry those suckered asap!! Can't believe you're playing poker with these f'ers!!

 

[DothanReefer]

I do wonder, if not halloween hermits might there be a coralivore that would take special interest in these polyps. I would think they would be easy picking for the right fish.

Haven't found one yet. But I have an aiptaisa eating filefish on the way...maybe he'll develop a taste? Prob not but who knows...lol

 

[MoshJosh]

Man...I wish I could go back to where you are...no doubt I'd fry those suckered asap!! Can't believe you're playing poker with these f'ers!!

Well initially I wanted them. Saw an SPS tank that was thriving but all rock work was covered in cloves. . . looked super cool (think I saw it on a Tidal Gardens video), but they just never took off for me. I might consider attacking them if there is an indication that the table have turned, but as of right now they spring up and disappear.

 

[MoshJosh]

Haven't found one yet. But I have an aiptaisa eating filefish on the way...maybe he'll develop a taste? Prob not but who knows...lol

urchin? maybe even a not reef safe one temporarily. Also I wonder if clown gobies or certain types of blennies could get a taste. My old bicolor used to love polyps!

Also butterfly fish and maybe a puffer?

Obviously with all these suggestions they may go after the desirable corals as well, but maybe the reefing community could find a critter that has a sweet tooth for these things so that collateral damage could be limited.

 

[Dburr1014]

Take the rocks out, boil tank water or rodi water and squirt them. Follow up with a tooth brush or stiff brush and then h2o2 and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse with tank water, back in the tank.
This can be done once a week until all gone.

 

[Cali9dub]

As an unintended bonus my Klein’s butterfly cleared out the purple clove polyps after eating all my aiptasia. I thought I’d never see them gone !!