Zoanthid warfare

[Stalaly]

Hi All,

I have a small Zoanthid garden (5") with several misc varieties. The polyps on some of the prettier ones are being covered or pushed aside by, frankly, more boring polyps. Can I just snip an offending polyp away or is there a way to "manicure" this garden?

 

[MixedFruitBasket]

Zoathids, palys, and other corals carry toxic fluids produced from a particular species of dinoflagellates. If you cut anything, wear gloves, eye protection, and do it in a place where no person or animal can come in contact with the surface you work on. Also be aware, sometimes when you agitate polyps, they will secrete more fluid, more slime, and thus distribute the dinoflagellates around the tank and that could potentially kill off other corals.
These are not the same dinoflagellates that produce brown algae strings in tank and they are not the same dinoflagellates that have a symbiotic relationship with coral causing them to fluoresce.

 

[Stalaly]

OK. But aside from the risks and/or side effects, is that the solution to my issue?

 

[BayouReefer]

I have seen where people will use a little Kalk paste on the polyps they want to keep at bay.