Care of African blue zoanthids...

Skipper · 04/29/2009, 06:35 PM

Anyone have some tips on keeping the African blues? A couple of folks have told me they slowing start receeding and loosing polyps for no apparent reason. I've started mine in a relatively shaded area. I did a Furan2 dip and didn't notice any zoa pox or pests come off.

Guygettnby · 04/29/2009, 06:44 PM

i have heard the same thing you have. i had some at one point in time, but they died a week after getting them shipped to me. so i got to see them open 1 time before they melted away. bad shipping i think.

on another note i had heard they like lower lights and decent flow. not sure how true that statement was since i didnt get a chance to try it out.

650-IS350 · 04/29/2009, 10:06 PM

I had some a while back before it started getting popular. Will do real well for a while then just melt in 2 days even a large frag.

Pufferpunk · 04/29/2009, 10:56 PM

Mine didn't make it either, even with high dosing of VC.

650-IS350 · 04/29/2009, 11:47 PM

I'll wait when aquacultured ones hit the market. even at a decent price. no point buying when it just melts on you.

zoagirl · 04/30/2009, 02:24 AM

i got a big colony like 2 weeks ago, they're melting away, i did Furan2 dip but its not working , now i understand why the LFS store sold me that colony for cheap

when i got the colony the polyps were opening good, they're incrusted on Lava rock.

i guess my colony is not gonna make it either

ksanmamaril · 04/30/2009, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by zoagirl
i got a big colony like 2 weeks ago, they're melting away, i did Furan2 dip but its not working , now i understand why the LFS store sold me that colony for cheap when i got the colony the polyps were opening good, they're incrusted on Lava rock.

i guess my colony is not gonna make it either

never had good luck with lava rock, i always took it off the lava rock and transferred it to another rock or plugs...

650-IS350 · 04/30/2009, 08:27 AM

My came on large frag disk... still melted after doing going for a long time.

phurst · 04/30/2009, 01:25 PM

Mine are coming back currently. Started with one head, grew to about 10, melted back to one, and now I'm back up to 5 or 6. I'm really hoping they're stable now after the dieback.

Timanator · 04/30/2009, 02:34 PM

What do these look like?

phurst · 04/30/2009, 02:39 PM

Fair disclosure, not my pic. Thank you Google

650-IS350 · 04/30/2009, 02:57 PM

Pretty much most LFS carry these guys. But I just wonder how many are really able to keep them or get them to proliferate. Even here in the bay SOME have a hard time keeping some, having problems with it, even some LFS.

phurst · 04/30/2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 650-IS350
Pretty much most LFS carry these guys.

Must be nice to live on the left coast

I've never, ever seen them in a LFS here.

Aquatic Hamster · 04/30/2009, 03:03 PM

Well I just bought a large colony of these guys. Hoping I have better luck. They had been in the shop 2 weeks and all polyps were open today. Time to start the good luck zoa dance.

650-IS350 · 04/30/2009, 03:30 PM

I suggest you frag a couple give to some friends incase it decides to go south on you. If it does your friends have seeds that you can re-grow.

Aquatic Hamster · 04/30/2009, 03:33 PM

That was already the plan. Looks like 3 frags can be made without trying to remove them from their attachment. Sure hope the make it cause god I love these. I have about 35 color varations but these are pretty special. Desolving goo would not be special. :|

ct_vol · 04/30/2009, 05:42 PM

One of my LFS has a couple colonies... I thought about picking one of them up, but I don't spend money on corals anymore... I was thinking about bringing in some frags to trade for one of them, but we have an upcoming swap and am worried about having enough people selling, so I want to bring as much as possible...

Perhaps these are similar to the Solomon Zoanthids and need Iodine supplementation...
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1153736

Something else to consider/try...

Skipper · 04/30/2009, 05:56 PM

So what is the consensus on their lighting and flow requirements?

Aquatic Hamster · 04/30/2009, 08:11 PM

Well I can tell you what I am doing after reading so far.

They are located at the bottom of the tank, but the tank is only 15" tall with 800 watts of T5. They are somewhat shaded and in a what I would call a medium to high flow area seeing steady movement in the polyps. This colony had been at the shop 2 weeks already so I'm hoping it is a good sign. After an hour in the tank they look like this.

gflat65 · 04/30/2009, 08:23 PM

I've got a double polyp frag and a triple poylp frag that have done well since I got them (maybe a month ago). I've had them under a ledge (screened lighting) under T5's. I've got babies already. We'll see where they are in a few months...

gflat65 · 04/30/2009, 08:24 PM

Oh... And low to med flow. This is the only condition I've tried them in so far.

650-IS350 · 04/30/2009, 11:03 PM

good luck gentle men.

OceanLover2 · 04/30/2009, 11:11 PM

OMG! They've had these beauties at Extreme Corals and they are $300 a pop! I'm glad I didn't fork over the money even though I think they are the prettiest zoas I've ever seen.

Why are they SO EXPENSIVE?!?! Are they getting them from the part of Africa that has pirates?

As time passes keep posting on what works and what doesn't work.

Aquatic Hamster · 05/01/2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 650-IS350
good luck gentle men.

Could you try to type that more upbeat?

650-IS350 · 05/01/2009, 08:27 AM

sorry forgot smiley face after

04/29/2009, 06:35 PM	#1
Skipper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 18,271	Care of African blue zoanthids... Anyone have some tips on keeping the African blues? A couple of folks have told me they slowing start receeding and loosing polyps for no apparent reason. I've started mine in a relatively shaded area. I did a Furan2 dip and didn't notice any zoa pox or pests come off. __________________ Skip Attix Former Editor of Reefkeeping Magazine

04/29/2009, 10:06 PM	#3
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	I had some a while back before it started getting popular. Will do real well for a while then just melt in 2 days even a large frag. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

04/29/2009, 11:47 PM	#5
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	I'll wait when aquacultured ones hit the market. even at a decent price. no point buying when it just melts on you. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

04/30/2009, 08:27 AM	#8
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	My came on large frag disk... still melted after doing going for a long time. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

04/30/2009, 01:25 PM	#9
phurst Richmond Reefer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 5,837	Mine are coming back currently. Started with one head, grew to about 10, melted back to one, and now I'm back up to 5 or 6. I'm really hoping they're stable now after the dieback. __________________ _______ Pearson _______ Current Tank Info: Various tanks of various sizes with various gear.

04/29/2009, 06:44 PM	#2
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	i have heard the same thing you have. i had some at one point in time, but they died a week after getting them shipped to me. so i got to see them open 1 time before they melted away. bad shipping i think. on another note i had heard they like lower lights and decent flow. not sure how true that statement was since i didnt get a chance to try it out.

04/29/2009, 10:56 PM	#4
Pufferpunk Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Franklin Park, IL Posts: 21,027	Mine didn't make it either, even with high dosing of VC.

04/30/2009, 02:24 AM	#6
zoagirl Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: orange county Posts: 543	i got a big colony like 2 weeks ago, they're melting away, i did Furan2 dip but its not working , now i understand why the LFS store sold me that colony for cheap when i got the colony the polyps were opening good, they're incrusted on Lava rock. i guess my colony is not gonna make it either

04/30/2009, 02:34 PM	#10
Timanator Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 577	What do these look like?

04/30/2009, 02:39 PM	#11
phurst Richmond Reefer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 5,837	Fair disclosure, not my pic. Thank you Google __________________ _______ Pearson _______ Current Tank Info: Various tanks of various sizes with various gear.

04/30/2009, 02:57 PM	#12
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	Pretty much most LFS carry these guys. But I just wonder how many are really able to keep them or get them to proliferate. Even here in the bay SOME have a hard time keeping some, having problems with it, even some LFS. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

04/30/2009, 03:03 PM	#14
Aquatic Hamster Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Derby, Kansas Posts: 648	Well I just bought a large colony of these guys. Hoping I have better luck. They had been in the shop 2 weeks and all polyps were open today. Time to start the good luck zoa dance. __________________ Chad 2.0 Current Tank Info: 125 shallow reef, more to come

04/30/2009, 03:30 PM	#15
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	I suggest you frag a couple give to some friends incase it decides to go south on you. If it does your friends have seeds that you can re-grow. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

04/30/2009, 03:33 PM	#16
Aquatic Hamster Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Derby, Kansas Posts: 648	That was already the plan. Looks like 3 frags can be made without trying to remove them from their attachment. Sure hope the make it cause god I love these. I have about 35 color varations but these are pretty special. Desolving goo would not be special. :\| __________________ Chad 2.0 Current Tank Info: 125 shallow reef, more to come

04/30/2009, 05:42 PM	#17
ct_vol Reefing On My Mind Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Kempton, IL Posts: 8,083	One of my LFS has a couple colonies... I thought about picking one of them up, but I don't spend money on corals anymore... I was thinking about bringing in some frags to trade for one of them, but we have an upcoming swap and am worried about having enough people selling, so I want to bring as much as possible... Perhaps these are similar to the Solomon Zoanthids and need Iodine supplementation... http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1153736 Something else to consider/try... __________________ Randy Volunteers, Blackhawks, Titans, Cubs!!!! Current Tank Info: 185g waiting to be built, 120g SPS/Anemone Reef, 120g SCA in the works, 58g mixed reef w/ 6x39w T5, 125g grow out w/ Reef Breeders

04/30/2009, 05:56 PM	#18
Skipper Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 18,271	So what is the consensus on their lighting and flow requirements? __________________ Skip Attix Former Editor of Reefkeeping Magazine

04/30/2009, 08:11 PM	#19
Aquatic Hamster Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Derby, Kansas Posts: 648	Well I can tell you what I am doing after reading so far. They are located at the bottom of the tank, but the tank is only 15" tall with 800 watts of T5. They are somewhat shaded and in a what I would call a medium to high flow area seeing steady movement in the polyps. This colony had been at the shop 2 weeks already so I'm hoping it is a good sign. After an hour in the tank they look like this. __________________ Chad 2.0 Current Tank Info: 125 shallow reef, more to come

04/30/2009, 08:23 PM	#20
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,720	I've got a double polyp frag and a triple poylp frag that have done well since I got them (maybe a month ago). I've had them under a ledge (screened lighting) under T5's. I've got babies already. We'll see where they are in a few months... __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

04/30/2009, 08:24 PM	#21
gflat65 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montgomery, Al Posts: 8,720	Oh... And low to med flow. This is the only condition I've tried them in so far. __________________ Was it for this my life I sought... Maybe so Maybe not.

04/30/2009, 11:03 PM	#22
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	good luck gentle men. __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar

04/30/2009, 11:11 PM	#23
OceanLover2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 306	OMG! They've had these beauties at Extreme Corals and they are $300 a pop! I'm glad I didn't fork over the money even though I think they are the prettiest zoas I've ever seen. Why are they SO EXPENSIVE?!?! Are they getting them from the part of Africa that has pirates? As time passes keep posting on what works and what doesn't work.

05/01/2009, 08:27 AM	#25
650-IS350 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 14,555	sorry forgot smiley face after __________________ * RETIRED FROM REEFING * Just enjoying the box of water from afar