What Is This Spreading So Quickly? What Is This And How Do I Save The Zoas?

[Hmoney720]

This is my first tank and I have been keeping it for almost 1.5 years. I have no idea what these small black polyps are that are growing like crazy. They seem to be a small fast-growing coral that closes when I touch it.

My LFS told me to basically perform surgery and get the zoas off that rock and relocate them and to then get rid of the whole rock. This has really scared me and I do not trust myself to perform surgery on these zoas and relocate them. The greatest success I have had in this whole span is with these zoas, particularly the Pink Diamonds in the picture.

Has anyone ever seen these polyps? I am worries they are starting to try and outcompete the zoas, particularly the ones that are babies or closed up. The critter in question is the darkest purple sections you see all around the zoas and on the rock.

I appreciate any and all help

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Looks like clove polyps or some other type of octocoral. Your LFS is probably right. See if you can take the rock in to them and have them remove the zoas for you if you're not able to remove them yourself.
In the meantime, separate that rock from any others so the cloves don't spread.

 

[Patx]

STOP Adding Blue Polyps to your Reef Tank! | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Sarcothelia aka ‘Blue Clove’ aka ‘Blue Anthelia’ is a gorgeous little coral that unfortunately, does too well in our aquariums. I still remember the first time some reefing friends and I discovered…

reefbuilders.com

Take a look there.

 

[Hmoney720]

@EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal and @Patx thank you for your help here. Since then, I had my zoas removed from that rock and they are doing really well! I have that entire rock sitting in fresh RODI water for a few months.

 

[Patx]

@EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal and @Patx thank you for your help here. Since then, I had my zoas removed from that rock and they are doing really well! I have that entire rock sitting in fresh RODI water for a few months.

No trace on other rock in the tank?

 

[Hmoney720]

No trace on other rock in the tank?

No trace! There are a few tiny heads that pop up on the plate that the zoas got moved to, but i go in and scrape them to kill them off. I have only maybe seen like 5 tiny heads

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

@EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal and @Patx thank you for your help here. Since then, I had my zoas removed from that rock and they are doing really well! I have that entire rock sitting in fresh RODI water for a few months.

Glad it worked out!