Pest on Torch

[Brant W]

Inspected one of my torch corals today and noticed whatever this is on it. Could be eggs, brown jelly, or something else. Hoping yall could help me ID it. I did dip it after I noticed and a large portion on the side came off just not the egg looking things closer to the flesh.

 

[Brant W]

Pics after Dip

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

From want i see that's a damaged torch with mesenterial filaments out (digestive stinging cells deployed for defense, stress or feeding, the white stringy parts) and I may see some euphyllia-eating flatworms that would need to be taken care of

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Inspected one of my torch corals today and noticed whatever this is on it. Could be eggs, brown jelly, or something else. Hoping yall could help me ID it. I did dip it after I noticed and a large portion on the side came off just not the egg looking things closer to the flesh.

That's a very sick torch (and not in the good way).

 

[Brant W]

From want i see that's a damaged torch with mesenterial filaments out (digestive stinging cells deployed for defense, stress or feeding, the white stringy parts) and I may see some euphyllia-eating flatworms that would need to be taken care of

okay thank you. Should i just keep dipping and blowing off what I can every week or so?

 

[Brant W]

That's a very sick torch (and not in the good way).

My LFS this summer, it was getting bigger and I just noticed this. Any tips on how to treat it?

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

okay thank you. Should i just keep dipping and blowing off what I can every week or so?

Yes, dip every week or two for 2-2 1/2 months. Do not blow them off in the tank as they can land on other euphyllia. The repetitive dips are to kill the newly hatched individuals as the eggs are unaffected by the dip, also scrape off any visible eggs in the dip

 

[Brant W]

Yes, dip every week or two for 2-2 1/2 months. Do not blow them off in the tank as they can land on other euphyllia. The repetitive dips are to kill the newly hatched individuals as the eggs are unaffected by the dip, also scrape off any visible eggs in the dip

Okay thank you. Are these the cells deployed for defense or a lot of flatworms?

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

These are the flatworms

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

The filaments are often deployed when the coral is damaged, stressed or under attack. I've also observed them being deployed for feeding but this is definitely not it. They can also be deployed to sting neighboring corals and clear space to grow (again, not what this is) If they came off when shaken in the dip they are flatworms and would be the worst infestation I've personally seen.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Though most importantly did they fall off when shaken in the dip solution?

 

[Brant W]

Though most importantly did they fall off when shaken in the dip solution?

The flatworms you circled did fall off but not the filaments I believe, I also used a baster and they didn’t come off. I will keep eyes on it and dip it weekly. Hopefully it will recover

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

The flatworms you circled did fall off but not the filaments I believe, I also used a baster and they didn’t come off. I will keep eyes on it and dip it weekly. Hopefully it will recover

Then they are thankfully filaments. Consistent weekly or bi-weekly dips for 2-3 months will solve the flatworm problem.

 

[Brant W]

Then they are thankfully filaments. Consistent weekly or bi-weekly dips for 2-3 months will solve the flatworm problem.

I appreciate the help!