Found what looks to be a zoanthid eating spider in tank

[Rockedash]

I just recieved a zoanthid frag from aquasd 2 days ago which is what im assuming this came from and i just found this today on one of its polyps. I have only seen one so far and i checked the 3 of my zoanthid frags which have been doing fine but what im wondering is if they stay solely near and in the zoanthids or are they all around in the tank? And are there any methods of removing them other then dipping and physical removal?

 

[Rockedash]

I just recieved a zoanthid frag from aquasd 2 days ago which is what im assuming this came from and i just found this today on one of its polyps. I have only seen one so far and i checked the 3 of my zoanthid frags which have been doing fine but what im wondering is if they stay solely near and in the zoanthids or are they all around in the tank? And are there any methods of removing them other then dipping and physical removal?

View attachment 2964745

there is also a weird thing on the new zoa frag that seems to pulse? i orignally tthought it was aptasia but im not sure. I might just throw away the frag it was only 5 bucks and its not worth the trouble lol

 

[vtecintegra]

I got an infestation of zoa spiders from aquasd, even after dipping. You are going to have to pull them and dip several times until they are gone.

 

[Rockedash]

I got an infestation of zoa spiders from aquasd, even after dipping. You are going to have to pull them and dip several times until they are gone.

you get what you pay for i guess it was only 10 bucks i figured i would just throw it out which i did. I dont see any more spiders though doe they hide in and on the zoanthids or do they hide all around the tank?

 

[zoaprince]

Aquasd has a history of selling zoas with zoa eating spiders. Do a search and a few threads will come up.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just recieved a zoanthid frag from aquasd 2 days ago which is what im assuming this came from and i just found this today on one of its polyps. I have only seen one so far and i checked the 3 of my zoanthid frags which have been doing fine but what im wondering is if they stay solely near and in the zoanthids or are they all around in the tank? And are there any methods of removing them other then dipping and physical removal?

View attachment 2964745

Not zoa which are Super tiny but a sea spider which hides in crevices on corals and prey on inverts such as anemones and softies, various corals and even snails. Keep an eye out for any more, eggs and affected coral

 

[Rockedash]

Aquasd has a history of selling zoas with zoa eating spiders. Do a search and a few threads will come up.

i order torches and eupjyllia from them and even bought one frag from them before cause thye are dirt cheap and ive nerver had an issue until now its unfortunate.

 

[Rockedash]

Not zoa which are Super tiny but a sea spider which hides in crevices on corals and prey on inverts such as anemones and softies, various corals and even snails. Keep an eye out for any more, eggs and affected coral

I was worried that it could be egg producing... just got done with kh and phosphate issues and was excited. Do you know if there are any good things i could add to my CUC or pest remover to get them?
Thank you very much for the reply

 

[MNFish]

In my experience if it is a zoa spider, they will stay near the Zoa. Use a light to get them at night. Might need to check every night for a week or 2 but I was able to eradicate mine pretty quick that way.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I was worried that it could be egg producing... just got done with kh and phosphate issues and was excited. Do you know if there are any good things i could add to my CUC or pest remover to get them?
Thank you very much for the reply

They are a nuisance and need to be removed. Net if possible or better yet- siphon up with a 1/4 " tube. Its too big to be a zoa spider (its not)

 

[Rockedash]

In my experience if it is a zoa spider, they will stay near the Zoa. Use a light to get them at night. Might need to check every night for a week or 2 but I was able to eradicate mine pretty quick that way.

just found a second on another zoa would that again point to zoa spider?

 

[Rockedash]

They are a nuisance and need to be removed. Net if possible or better yet- siphon up with a 1/4 " tube. Its too big to be a zoa spider (its not)

I just found another on my zoa and the photo was taken in 15x on my phone it was veryyyy small just wanted to get a good photo

 

[MNFish]

just found a second on another zoa would that again point to zoa spider?

Either way you want them out... and the treatment is the same.... I had a really long set of tongs that worked great for picking them out. Basically if you get the adults they cannot make more eggs....

 

[MNFish]

It sucks to be honest but in the end was on the easier side to deal with for me. Although I find them very creepy.

 

[Rockedash]

Either way you want them out... and the treatment is the same.... I had a really long set of tongs that worked great for picking them out. Basically if you get the adults they cannot make more eggs....

I got coral rx on the way to dip the zoas and i stay up pretty late usually. Are the eggs small and white?
Do they favor and should i only check fthem or should i check all?
Thank you very much for the help and reply

 

[MNFish]

When I had them they seemed to favor whatever was the most expensive haha. But they seemed to stay near the one I originally found them on, however that is just my experience. I never saw any eggs but I think they can lay them inside the zoa itself. I would just to be safe check them all, good luck.

 

[Rockedash]

When I had them they seemed to favor whatever was the most expensive haha. But they seemed to stay near the one I originally found them on, however that is just my experience. I never saw any eggs but I think they can lay them inside the zoa itself. I would just to be safe check them all, good luck.

thanks very much! im hopeful that it was just a few that snuck in from the zoa

 

[vetteguy53081]

I just found another on my zoa and the photo was taken in 15x on my phone it was veryyyy small just wanted to get a good photo

best pics of zoa spider:

Zoa eaters generally stay inside of each polyp of a given zoa beneath the zoas mucus layer with best removal being tweezers. Most dips will not work on them.

There is a pacific version which is a little larger. Does it look like this ?