Needing help with zoa acting weird...

[SizilStank]

I have this zoa that stretched real far then shrank and it seems loosing its skirt. I have a pic of it and of some other corals for comparison.

Thanks for the help.

 

[DDenny]

Early before the lights come on mine stretch a lot. Once the lights are on they shrink back down to normal. About the skirt flesh deteriorating not sure. If I’m not mistaken that is a playthoa and they have a little different skirt than Zoanthids but I could be wrong.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Zoas must have iodide, not iodine in their water and under moderate light and water flow. They seem to do best in the lower half to third of the tank in an area of low-medium to medium-high flow. Too much flow may make it hard for the polyps to open. You will know your zoanthids are ‘happy’ if they open up and are fully extended without seeming to stretch so far upright.. The majority of zoanthids have symbiotic photosynthetic zooxanthellae (I dare you to try and say that three times quickly) and are therefore best kept with at least moderate aquarium lighting as mentioned for production of zooxanthele.
Zoanthids require the standard water parameters that are good for keeping just about any of your corals healthy. You’re aiming for water temperature about 78 F, salinity somewhere around 1.025 specific gravity) and normal hardness 8-11 dKH) and a pH around 8.1-8.3.
However, if your polyps were previously open and have recently closed up, this should be taken as a serious sign of a water parameters issue. The first things I would check are ph and salinity. In my experience, zoas will close up if there are swings in salinity.
One disease that seems to disproportionately impacts these corals is something called zoa pox or zoanthid pox. Zoa pox is the name given to the zoanthid disease characterized by tiny growths on the side of the affected zoas. I’m not sure whether the growths/pustules themselves irritate the polyps and cause them to close up, or if the coral is otherwise sickly and closed up (therefore showing the zoa pox), but the bottom line is that if you see zoa pox, you have a sick coral.
Lastly, check for Super tiny spiders or nudibranchs which will take them down in No time. If you see these pests, start looking for eggs which are future pests to cause further problems. Hope this Helps !!!

 

[SizilStank]

Early before the lights come on mine stretch a lot. Once the lights are on they shrink back down to normal. About the skirt flesh deteriorating not sure. If I’m not mistaken that is a playthoa and they have a little different skirt than Zoanthids but I could be wrong.

Now that you said playthoa i do believe it is that. Sorry...