Frogspawn parasites? It's dying...

Praben · 06/29/2011, 04:35 PM

I've had this frogspawn for about a year. Has grown slowly during that period, no problems. I noticed a little more than a week ago that it was not as healthy and puffy looking. A couple days ago I saw one of the branches receding to the point it shows the skeleton. Last night I noticed little white specs on it. Upon a close look, the specs are crawling around all over it! Reminds me of lice, or fleas on a dog. They are too small to make out what they are, much less get a nice macro picture on. Any ideas?

I just noticed my other, larger frogspawn has the white specs on it too. It looks puffy and healthy like normal.

Background, my tank is 125gal, mixed reef, up almost 2 years. I've had a Acan recede to it's death a few months back, never was able to explain it. Did not see any white/black specs on it. I have one chalice that receded a little bit 6 months ago, stopped and has not gotten worse/better. No recent coral additions. Healthy coral stock includes everything from SPS, Nephia(sp?), Acans, Zoas, Rim Caps, Chalices, Duncans, etc.

I tried to add a black cap basslet last week, he was in QT for 3 weeks. He died after going into my DT in 3 days, never left the rock he first went in to. The frogspawn was showing signs of not being as "puffy" before that addition.

Thanks for the help in advance everyone!!

Lynnmw1208 · 06/29/2011, 08:14 PM

I would do a dip in Coral Rx to get those buggers off. you may have to repeat every so many days. did you dip them before adding them to your tank? I hope they recover! they are my ultimate favorite!

Praben · 06/30/2011, 10:11 PM

Anyone ever have a similar experience or have an idea of what type of parasite/disease might be affecting these frogspawns?

I did a iodine dip (Lugols) for about 15-20 min, followed by a short RO/DI dip, then back into the tank. Corals are slightly aggravated, but the little white critters/dots are still there. During the iodine dip, clusters of them gathered near the top of the corals. How can I beat this?

maroun.c · 06/30/2011, 10:39 PM

I would try basting the coral with water while it's in the dip or maybe shaking it heavily before taking it out as sometimes even if the dip doesn't kill the pest it loosens it's grip and this way you take it off the coral before returning it to your tank.

dublo8 · 06/30/2011, 11:28 PM

Glad this thread came about. I have a similar situation as yours, but mine is a pink tip hammer coral. Exactly as you explained not being "puffy" anymore and receding a little as well. Not sure what is causing this, I have no bugs either. Any changes to your husbandry lately? drops in salinity? ph or alk increased? I ask because a couple weeks ago my ATO stuck on but only put an extra 2 gallons give or take into my tank. Not sure if this is the culprit or not but just asking. As far as dipping, using a "jet stream" style PH such as a maxi jet to blow off the corals while they are in the dip helps a ton. I know it sounds harsh but the coral won't mind especially when the bugs are gone.

birdman1979 · 01/04/2012, 04:03 PM

I've been using bayer insect killer. It puts a serious dent in their numbers but I think the eggs survive. I'm going to try repeat dips. Absolutely no adverse affects on the corals from this treatment.

ezerasurfr · 01/04/2012, 04:06 PM

I would QT that coral until this is resolved, keep on dipping and shaking.

Agu · 01/04/2012, 06:02 PM

Try Revive.....

NanoReefWanabe · 01/04/2012, 08:46 PM

sounds like copepods eating the dying coral to me...?

pics would help...even if to only show the health of the frog...

smsreefer · 01/04/2012, 09:11 PM

Coral RX or Revive should work well.
Pics would be good if you can post them.
We could then tell if these are causing the problem or scavenging.

BTW, I would skip heavily shaking a Frogspawn or powerheads directly on them as suggested .
You will destroy/tear the tissue.

06/29/2011, 08:14 PM	#2
Lynnmw1208 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 3,306	I would do a dip in Coral Rx to get those buggers off. you may have to repeat every so many days. did you dip them before adding them to your tank? I hope they recover! they are my ultimate favorite! __________________ equipment: Eshopps psk-200 skimmer, Mag 12 pump, 30gal sump, 2x 300w Finnex heaters, glass-holes 1500gph overflow kit with 3/4" return kits, 72" 8x36w t-5 AquaticLife light, 66lbs of LR, 150lbs of tropic eden reeflakes, 2 Koralia Evo 1400, JBJ ATO, BRS dual GFO/carbon reactors, Hydor smartwave Current Tank Info: 125gallon

06/30/2011, 10:39 PM	#4
maroun.c Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Lebanon Posts: 6,111	I would try basting the coral with water while it's in the dip or maybe shaking it heavily before taking it out as sometimes even if the dip doesn't kill the pest it loosens it's grip and this way you take it off the coral before returning it to your tank. __________________ 390 G mixed reef build Current Tank Info: 390G mixed reef

06/30/2011, 11:28 PM	#5
dublo8 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Morgan Hill, Ca Posts: 3,225	Glad this thread came about. I have a similar situation as yours, but mine is a pink tip hammer coral. Exactly as you explained not being "puffy" anymore and receding a little as well. Not sure what is causing this, I have no bugs either. Any changes to your husbandry lately? drops in salinity? ph or alk increased? I ask because a couple weeks ago my ATO stuck on but only put an extra 2 gallons give or take into my tank. Not sure if this is the culprit or not but just asking. As far as dipping, using a "jet stream" style PH such as a maxi jet to blow off the corals while they are in the dip helps a ton. I know it sounds harsh but the coral won't mind especially when the bugs are gone. __________________ 10g IM fusion. Zoa and SPS dominant, Apex monitored, Ai Prime, MP10, sicce return.

01/04/2012, 06:02 PM	#8
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Try Revive..... __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

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06/30/2011, 10:11 PM	#3
Praben Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, FL Posts: 148	Anyone ever have a similar experience or have an idea of what type of parasite/disease might be affecting these frogspawns? I did a iodine dip (Lugols) for about 15-20 min, followed by a short RO/DI dip, then back into the tank. Corals are slightly aggravated, but the little white critters/dots are still there. During the iodine dip, clusters of them gathered near the top of the corals. How can I beat this?

01/04/2012, 04:03 PM	#6
birdman1979 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 373	I've been using bayer insect killer. It puts a serious dent in their numbers but I think the eggs survive. I'm going to try repeat dips. Absolutely no adverse affects on the corals from this treatment.

01/04/2012, 04:06 PM	#7
ezerasurfr Moved On Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 663	I would QT that coral until this is resolved, keep on dipping and shaking.

01/04/2012, 08:46 PM	#9
NanoReefWanabe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,639	sounds like copepods eating the dying coral to me...? pics would help...even if to only show the health of the frog...

01/04/2012, 09:11 PM	#10
smsreefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Trussville,Al Posts: 329	Coral RX or Revive should work well. Pics would be good if you can post them. We could then tell if these are causing the problem or scavenging. BTW, I would skip heavily shaking a Frogspawn or powerheads directly on them as suggested . You will destroy/tear the tissue.