Zoanthid eaters have started to destroy my Zoa garden!!

Surfandturf · Jun 9, 2016

So I have been pretty busy lately. I spent the other night cleaning and inspecting my tank and found that half of one of my largest zoanthid colonies has been eaten. I immediately took them out and dipped them and low and behold nudibranchs, a whole mess of them. I let them stay in the dip for 20 mins and the colony is still deteriorating. I think I need to toss it before it infects the others. Any thoughts?

knukles55 · Jun 9, 2016

I would start dipping everything else as well unfortunately. In my experience if one corals got it more than likely everything else has it

zoacrazy42 · Jun 9, 2016

Best of luck! Hopefully the dipping and using a q-tip or brush helps. I seen some double the strength of certain dips.

Surfandturf · Jun 9, 2016

I'm dipping all of my zoas. I got rid of the one colony that they ate 3/4 of...pretty sad

Triggreef · Jun 9, 2016

Get a couple halichoerus wrasse, dusky or lightning. Forget about all the others people list they don't hunt like these 2. Nudis will be gone in minutes.

Surfandturf · Jun 9, 2016

Problem is, I have a 10gal

that Reef Guy · Jun 9, 2016

6 Line Wrasses Are Awesome.

I put a Six Line Wrasse in Every Tank as they LOVE to Eat Pests.

Without Fail Every Time I add a New Frag the 6 Line Wrasse Swims Over and Sticks His Nose in Every Nook and Cranny Inspecting for Pests.

These Guys are AMAZING and Every Tank Tank Should have a 6 Line Wrasse for Pest Control!

Also, Dip All Your Zoanthids Once a Week in Bayer for a Few Weeks.

You have to Kill Them Before they Lay Eggs because Dips Will Not Kill the Eggs and they Will Be Back Again.

Surfandturf · Jun 9, 2016

Ok. Maybe I will try to find a 6 line as well

Triggreef · Jun 9, 2016

I second the 6 line then, but it will be your last fish.

domination2580 · Jun 10, 2016

Inspect every frag for eggs. The dips don't touch the eggs so if you don't get the eggs off dipping is useless. Our wait about i think 7 days and dip them again before they last more eggs.

Surfandturf · Jun 10, 2016

Triggreef said:
I second the 6 line then, but it will be your last fish.

What do you mean by "it will be your last fish"?

rock_lobster · Jun 10, 2016

Surfandturf said:
What do you mean by "it will be your last fish"?

They are pretty aggressive especially in a 10 gallon lol.

that Reef Guy · Jun 10, 2016

rock_lobster said:
They are pretty aggressive especially in a 10 gallon lol.

I do not get this Whole 6 Lines are Aggressive Thing.

I have Literally Had at Least Ten Different 6 Lines Over the Years.

I have Never Seen Them Bother Another Fish. EVER.

They Keep to Themselves.

Infact, They are Probably the Friendliest Fish that I have Ever Kept.

Desmond · Jun 10, 2016

that Reef Guy said:
I do not get this Whole 6 Lines are Aggressive Thing.

I have Literally Had at Least Ten Different 6 Lines Over the Years.

I have Never Seen Them Bother Another Fish. EVER.

They Keep to Themselves.

Infact, They are Probably the Friendliest Fish that I have Ever Kept.

What size systems have you kept them in ? In smaller systems they can be more aggressive.

Sorry to hear about your zoa. I hope you get all sorted.

blitz49 · Jun 10, 2016

You could also dip your zoas in Flatworm exit to kill nudis.

BTW, had to get rid of my 6 line in 90 gallon tank. At first he was cool, but than became a devil and started attacking my swissguard. Would swim from one end to the other just to chase the swiss. Do a search on google and you will see others have the same issue.

maroun.c · Jun 10, 2016

I would take all zoos out and put in a small tank, a bucket with water circulation might even do. dip on weekly basis and return to anew bucket and keep your tank zoas free for few weeks to starve out the ones in there.
As for the 6 lines they do become very aggressive, how long did you keep the ones you had? takes some time for them to grow a bit and become more territorial.

that Reef Guy · Jun 10, 2016

maroun.c said:
I would take all zoos out and put in a small tank, a bucket with water circulation might even do. dip on weekly basis and return to anew bucket and keep your tank zoas free for few weeks to starve out the ones in there.
As for the 6 lines they do become very aggressive, how long did you keep the ones you had? takes some time for them to grow a bit and become more territorial.

Some for Years.

Never had a Problem.

Surfandturf · Jun 10, 2016

I just picked a small 6 line up and he immediately booted the clown goby out of his home. He will only be in my tank until the pests are gone. It is a beautiful fish but my tank is too small too keep him in for very long .

Stigigemla · Jun 11, 2016

In my experience 6 lines are often a problem in tanks 100 gallons or less. The smaller the tank the greater the problem.
In big tanks with a lot of stone it is totally different. I even had a pair in my 400 gallon with no problem at all. (About 650 pound of live rock) Totally peaceful. No aggression between them or to other fishes.
To my customers i recommend them for 150 gallons or more with at least 100 pounds of live rock in the tank. They need something to do. Thats the reason for so much rock.
But it is easier to have a Halichoeres. Just have a place with sand for them to sleep and the problems are gone.

Surfandturf · Jun 11, 2016

Yea, this little dude is more of a borrowed fish lol. It's a beauty but too aggressive. He will be back in my lfs in about 2 weeks when I am sure that these pests are gone.