Monti RTN

[TrailFish]

I purchase a pink monti frag a couple of months back and up until a few weeks ago it was fine but now is undergoing a relatively quick tissue die off. My gut feeling is a bateria or viral infection and I fragged the coral past the line of recession a week ago but the condition is recurring (maybe I didn't go far enough). Any ideas?

I am thinking of pulling the coral out, fragging it past the recession and then giving it a some kind of dip (I was thinking Revive and/or iodine). Does this seem reasonable? All other corals are fine (Alk, Ca, SG etc. are good)

This is a great color coral and I would hate to loose it. The coral is growing on other fronts but I suspect that the recession will eventually take out the whole piece.

[untamed]

Yes, the frag and dip is a good plan. May save it..may not. I doubt there is anything else you can try that will work.

[Haloreef]

I have had luck doing the "frag and dip" also. However I add one more step. I use the cyano acrilate glue on the fresh edge to make sure I trap any unwanted nasties inside the glue. Make sure you cover the whole edge.
I can't say it's worked every time but, it has worked more often than not for me. Sounds like you have nothing to loose.
Good luck.

[Marlin65]

I thought I had RTN as well on my Monties until I found some small white nudies. Picking them off when I find them. They are hard to see as they are white.

[TrailFish]

Originally Posted by Haloreef

I have had luck doing the "frag and dip" also. However I add one more step. I use the cyano acrilate glue on the fresh edge to make sure I trap any unwanted nasties inside the glue. Make sure you cover the whole edge.
I can't say it's worked every time but, it has worked more often than not for me. Sounds like you have nothing to loose.
Good luck.

Thanks. I will consider adding the extra step and give it a shot tonight. What tends to work better, the gel or regular super glue?

[chandigz]

I'd check for montipora eating nudibranchs. They sometimes hide when the lights are on so check after the lights have been off for a while. They are tiny, less then a 1/4 inch. Use the gel glue.

[Navarchus]

Originally Posted by chandigz

I'd check for montipora eating nudibranchs. They sometimes hide when the lights are on so check after the lights have been off for a while. They are tiny, less then a 1/4 inch. Use the gel glue.

This used to be a poker star montipora!



After aggressive dip.


The eggs are still there.


IMO best thing to do is get rid of it!
If you have any other monti dip them a.s.a.p
I would add some 6line wrasse.

[Haloreef]

I use the gel. In one of the tanks I kept I had the Monti nudis also. I quarentined the monti and super glued over any spot that showed damage. I did this every night for aprox. a month and ended up saving it. Interestingly enough it was also a pink Monti. You have to check every night some nights every thing would look fine and then I would see a white spot... more glue!
I have not found, or read about, any dip that will kill the Nudis and leave the coral alive.
If you are not prepared to do this night after night you may want to toss it. It depends what this coral is worth to you.
Once again good luck!

[TrailFish]

Hmmm. I have other montis that haven't shown any signs of infection (yet). I haven't looked hard for the nudis (a bit after lights out and this morning as well) but I will pull out the coral this evening and have a good look.

Thanks everyone for your comments (and photos). I would have never thought to look for these little beasties.

[chandigz]

If it is nudibranchs a half hour(some people say 1 hour) dip in a solutions of 200 mg potasium permaginate in 1 gallon of tank water will kill the nudibranchs and eggs. Use this dip for montis only and make sure you rinse them before returning to the tank. It is hard to come by(resticted substance) but can be found at some pond supply or water treatment stores.