Damn Pods Destroying Zoas
 

Hey guys,

For the last 2 weeks I have noticed an increase in the number of pods cruising the rocks, however laset week I noticed some really big buggers cruising around. Low and behold, they have started chomping on my radio active dragon eyes.. :cry:. They haven't touched the other 2 colones, but just the one.

I have cut back on feeding a bit to try and kill them off, but they are relentless...lol.

I've only got 2 clowns and 2 chromies in the tank for fish, and I also have a cleaner shrimp. Also the usual CUC.

Any ideas to help with the pest issue??

doesnt sound like pods, more like nudibranches or another pest bug of some type to me

Can you post a pic of the victim zoas?

Yea I doubt it's pods.

Pods are generally good in a reef tank, I have never seen pods feeding on zoa myself but just like all living things some might just become rogue predator. Make sure you examine thorougly for zoa eating nudibranch or spiders and if you are certain that the pods are the culprit then either use interceptor (vet prescribed dog de-worm pill) to nuke them or get some wrasses or mandarin fish as a biological control, I would perfer the latter but its up to you. I like my pod population to be high since they eat all the left over crap sorta like an army of miniture cuc.

Good luck

Yep, definitely amphipods. Here's a video that I found on the net of exactly what I see..

http://wn.com/Amphipod_eating_yellow_zoanthid

I went to feed the fish yesterday, and the size of the one bugger that came out was huge!! Might have to go fish shopping next time im in the city...lol

YIKES!

I can lend you my Copperband for a few weeks to get rid of them if you think it would help. I'm pretty sure I don't have a single amphipod left in my tank after introducing him.

Hey reefgirl,

I think it might be a little big for a 20gal. However, thanks for the offer!!

although the video shows a guy chomping on a polyp, i'd like to believe that pods will only eat something if its dying/rotting etc. I have never had any problem in my tank, i have had them clean up any sort of mess, from food to rotting stuff. Say they are eating your zoas, then maybe deter them with some alternate food source, like sinking pellets - shrimp and algae pellets are loved by those guys, just drop a few in over night and see if that helps