Moving purple spots

[verynewatthis]

I just bought this coral today and it has been released into the tank for about an hour. Polyps are extending and we noticed this other organisms traveling across the coral. The are only about 1/16 by 1/16 inch and they are totally flat. Anyone know what this coral is and if these other organisms are harmful or friendly? Here are a few pics. Please respond quickly as I am considering removing this coral until I know what I have.

rich

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/hancockrich/DSC00160.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/hancockrich/DSC00161.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/hancockrich/DSC00162.jpg

[Reef69]

*I would've done some research about the coral before buying it*

Thats a ginopora, a very aggressive and difficult coral to keep..I dont know anybody that has 1 and has had success with it. Their "tentacles" have a powerful sting towards other corals..good luck.

[verynewatthis]

Well, after some looking myself, I found out that the purple things inside are called zooxanthellae. It is a symbiotic algae which means basically it provides the coral with nutrients (since it is photosynthetic and can convert chemical elements into energy) and in turn the coral provides protection and an environment which is excellent for algae growth.

[CD]

I found out that the purple things inside are called zooxanthellae. It is a symbiotic algae which means basically it provides the coral with nutrients


Uh - I hate to tell you this, but "symbiotic algae" doesn't travel across the coral. Looks like some sort of flatworm to me. :o

W.

[akm]

Those aren't zooxanthellae, zooxanthellae are much smaller and have to be magnified many times to be looked at. Those are most likely some kind of flatworm. But yeah, gonioporas are famous for not surviving.

[verynewatthis]

Okay, so my quick research didn't really help...so what should I do?

[CD]

To be honest with you Rich, I've never had one of these corals, so I don't know how well it would respond to a chemical dip...but that would be my best suggestion. Get it out of your main tank ASAP though.

Has anyone ever dipped one of these corals? :unsure

W.

[CD]

OK...still reading on WetWebMedia, and will continue with updates - Anthony Calfo suggested picking them off the coral with tweezers (kinda odd)...I'll keep looking though.

W.

[Tim Marvin]

Under best conditions these corals rarely live past 1 year. Those are flatworms on it... Sorry to hear you have them.

[CD]

Another suggestion as follows (10 second dip in fresh water)...still don't know what effect the dip will have on this particular coral though...

*****
"Removal of these worms if preditation has not been successful can be a simple a a quick freshwater bath. Make sure to follow the correct procedure in the make up of the water and matching the temperature. A 10 second dip should free the worm from the surface of the coral, and then you can return it to it's home in your tank. These worms are so small and many transparent that it would be difficult at best to prevent their introduction to your tank. Your best precaution is staying aware of your animal and your reef system for prevention."
*****

As far as what the article meant by "if preditation has not been successful" is finding a natural predator to eat the FWs...Of course there are many types of flatworms...some that are just unsightly, and a nuisence, and others that are predatory. Other suggestions on WWM were Mandarin dragonettes, but I would hate to suggest that you put a Mandarin in there b/c they will need a constant supply of live food ('pods) to keep them from starving to death after the FWs are gone.

Still looking for other options...

W.

[CD]

OK - Looks like Josh agrees with the "dip" suggestion...I'll stop here.

Let us know how it goes?

W.

[pilot_bell777]

I really wish LFS would stop selling these......they are pretty but having the survival rate that they do, they should be left in the ocean. Then they sell them to people that don't know what they are, to me IMO that is taking advantage of their customers.

Beautiful coral.......wish you the best of luck with it. Hate to hear about the flat worms though. OUCH

[RobertG]

Flatworms for sure. Get it out & be more careful as to what you introduce to your tank. It sucks to deal with the issues they can cause.

[verynewatthis]

okay ill start the ro dips today....ill do it 3 times today before i put it back in the main tank...ill let yall know what happens..thank you everyone...
.rich

[verynewatthis]

well here is a pic of the first dip
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y241/hancockrich/DSC00163.jpg
yuck

[::pete::]

OK ... you did the dip, but after it was in your tank. If one got off ... sorry, but a fact. ;)

[Brett Wilson]

If you bought that without knowing it had flatworms I'd be inclined to call the petstore/person you got the coral from and let them know what you have found.
Most flatworms are harmless, some arent.

[Mindypin]

This seems to have a lot of information about the coral, and how to care for it http://www.fishdomain.com/article_goniopora1.shtml. I hope it helps. I don't know much about corals, but I am trying to learn, too.