Zoas and acropora

dzolot · Dec 18, 2020

I have some zoas on a crash course with some healthy and growing acro’s. My question is who wins this fight? Could they coexist together in the same space or will one specimen kill the other?

here’s some photos, most just to garner interest!

thank you!!

Ron Reefman · Dec 19, 2020

IMHO, over time, the zoas will over grow many other corals. Especially ones that don't have much sting... like acros. But that's just my experience, others may have different experiences.

Softhammer · Dec 19, 2020

Zoos are the bane of my reefing existence. I got one undetectable polyp on a frag plug 8 years ago. I pluck out several hundred per month to no avail...
And yes these most definitely overgrow other corals, especially acropora.

dzolot · Dec 19, 2020

Softhammer said:
Zoos are the bane of my reefing existence. I got one undetectable polyp on a frag plug 8 years ago. I pluck out several hundred per month to no avail...
And yes these most definitely overgrow other corals, especially acropora.

Oh no!!! Thanks for the reply. How do you remove them/ “pluck” them out??

Softhammer · Dec 19, 2020

I use a pair of hemostats. If you get lucky they come off clean. Rarely happens, they turn to goo easily and can regrow from almost nothing. Same reason why my mind is blown when folks can’t keep zoos alive. You literally can’t kill these things. And let the peanut gallery chime in, I’ve injected everything, covered in epoxy, used every product, bought a majano wand. Nothing works long term. Don’t let them gain ground unless you want them around.

Swac3 · Jan 3, 2021

As above, deal with them now, and keep on top of any regrowth, Invasive zoa in my experience will kill or smother almost anything in the tank. And they are a pain to try and keep control of.

I read peoples posts about fragging them and selling them and lose the will to live, theyre weeds, Majano wand didt work for me either, people say things like peel off the mat ? ! the ones i have dont have a 'mat' I've just removed and bleached half my live rock and am fighting the other half with a solution of sodium and calcium hydroxide.