Spionid worm removal

[hoffdawg]

Found spionid worms and aptasia on this scoly. I was able to get aptasia out of the rest entire tank (possibly) except for the skeleton of this scoly. Then the scoly has constantly been infected by spionid worms and I can’t pull them out fast enough.

I’m moving some corals to a new tank and I’m going to remove pests and put them in a qt tank before placing them.

Can this coral be saved? If so how?

 

[Tahoe61]

Why are you trying to remove them? That seems like it would so more harm than good.

 

[hoffdawg]

I left it alone for 6 months and it progressively got worse. The tissue was semi-recessed. Although, skeletal growth underneath continued. It just really wasn’t a desirable look. So I pulled them out and the tissue extension started to come again.

Now three months after my first extraction, it has more worms and the tissue is starting to recess again. Plus I’m having a pretty terrible aptasia problem which I’m trying to ignore while setting up a new tank. The Bergia cleared out aptasia from the tank except for inside the skeleton of this coral. So I think this coral is causing more harm than good.

I’m just here looking for an accomplice in a coral crime that’s about to happen.

 

[Shirak]

A number of threads on using ivermectin for coral boring spionid worms in the sps forums. There was another medication that was supposed to work better but can’t recall the name.

 

[hoffdawg]

A number of threads on using ivermectin for coral boring spionid worms in the sps forums. There was another medication that was supposed to work better but can’t recall the name.

Was it fenbendazole? I read a post since starting this thread that suggested fenbendazole dissolved in ethanol works.

 

[saltyfins]

A number of threads on using ivermectin for coral boring spionid worms in the sps forums. There was another medication that was supposed to work better but can’t recall the name.

do NOT use ivermectin, unless you want to crash your tank! I know someone that did this, and he had a nice set up, and lost it to this exact thing!

 

[Shirak]

Was it fenbendazole? I read a post since starting this thread that suggested fenbendazole dissolved in ethanol works.

Don't recall.. big long thread on ivermectin maybe with some other stuff mixed in. I would do a lot of reading. I would also do only a dip if it is just the scoly vs a full tank treatment with whatever you decide. You may be able to just superglue the ends if it's just the one coral too and avoid chemicals altogether.

Do a search for spionid worms treatment on the forums and you will get lots of threads to read.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/1...tment-for-coral-boring-spionid-worms.1066191/

 

[NefariousAquarius]

I recently used ivermectin on my coral Quarantine tank for these worms. None of my affected LPS corals or zoas made it through the process. The rock flower anemone did ok though.

 

[Shirak]

I recently used ivermectin on my coral Quarantine tank for these worms. None of my affected LPS corals or zoas made it through the process. The rock flower anemone did ok though.

Can you be more specific on your procedures and observations? Many have used it on much more sensitive corals without issue. Also puzzled by your treating zoa and anemone?

 

[hoffdawg]

So I transferred the Euphillia to a new tank. I simply put them in a quarantine tank and then scraped off any pests for a few weeks until I felt comfortable they would be okay. I did not transfer the scoly. I didn’t have any concerns over the zoas or anemone, but I didn’t want the anemone in the new tank because they quickly overran the last one.

I’ve attached a photo showing the spionid worm. It’s small on the bottom right of the stem. They burrow so hard to tell how if I removed them all. If not I hope they starve in the new tank.