zoa's ? don't know what this is

dbestnindy

Member
I posted in zoanthids and I am not really getting any feedback. Maybe someone can take a look for me.
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/367463/zoa-pox
 

reefkprz

Active Member
its a sponge. whats occurring there is a type of commensal (symbiotic)relationship. the sponge grows in the shade of the zoanthid benifitting from both the shade to prevent algae growth and the toxic nature of the zoanthids to protect the sponge from predation. the easiest way to kill the sponge would be to just pull the rock out the tank for 10-15 minutes. that will kill the sponge and protect your zoas from accidental overgrowth. often in cases such as these the sponge only smothers enough zoas to make room to grow while leaving enough alive to provide ample shade. its a nifty little aspect of nature you have there.
I would let it do its thing just to have a zoa/sponge commensal community. but they are your zoas.
 

dbestnindy

Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
http:///forum/post/3157120
its a sponge. whats occurring there is a type of commensal (symbiotic)relationship. the sponge grows in the shade of the zoanthid benifitting from both the shade to prevent algae growth and the toxic nature of the zoanthids to protect the sponge from predation. the easiest way to kill the sponge would be to just pull the rock out the tank for 10-15 minutes. that will kill the sponge and protect your zoas from accidental overgrowth. often in cases such as these the sponge only smothers enough zoas to make room to grow while leaving enough alive to provide ample shade. its a nifty little aspect of nature you have there.
I would let it do its thing just to have a zoa/sponge commensal community. but they are your zoas.
I appreciate your input. I think I will take your advise and see what happens. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a fungus or something like that. Thanks again.
 
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