Pest bothering frogspawn coral

[TheMetalReefs]

Hi, can anyone help identify this pest that seems to be bothering my frogspawn. Just noticed them today. Seems to be like these white threads on the left side of the frag. They react to touch. Thanks in advance.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Hydroids or spoiribid worms hard to tell.

 

[TheMetalReefs]

Hydroids or spoiribid worms hard to tell.

i thought hydroids but they dont seem to have the mouth and tenticle part. theyre straight little strings.

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

It looks like two strings per hole/tube, so I'd think Coral-boring Spionid Worms.

 

[NonstopSoda]

It looks like two strings per hole/tube, so I'd think Coral-boring Spionid Worms.

I second Coral-boring spionid worms!

 

[TheMetalReefs]

It looks like two strings per hole/tube, so I'd think Coral-boring Spionid Worms.

yeah, im leaning towards these too.

 

[TheMetalReefs]

any idea on how to get rid of them?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

any idea on how to get rid of them?

Nothing you can try safely, unfortunately. @Reefahholic has been experimenting with some treatments, but there have been mixed results:

1% Ivermectin (in-tank) Treatment for Coral Boring Spionid Worms

Disclaimer: Do not try this at home. It’s not reef safe. I will not take any responsibility for anyone crashing their system. I DO NOT recommend anybody try this. :-) Ivermectin used: AGRI-MECTIN 1% Potency: (1 mL = 10mg) Expiration date: 11/24 Start Date: Sunday 07/28/24 System info: 105/G...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[TheMetalReefs]

well that sucks lol

 

[BristleWormHater]

well that sucks lol

If it were me I would chalk up the coral as a loss and get rid of it before you turn into @Reefahholic lol

 

[BristleWormHater]

If it were me I would chalk up the coral as a loss and get rid of it before you turn into @Reefahholic lol

He goes through every stage of grief in this thread

Coral Boring Spionid Worms- Anybody Killed them?

These turds have survived Bayer, Coral RX Pro, KCI, and Exodus dip. They apparently retract into their tubes, and back into the coral skeleton where they apparently are safe from the medications. Below I will post some pictures for reference. The first pic is mine, but the others are just...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi, can anyone help identify this pest that seems to be bothering my frogspawn. Just noticed them today. Seems to be like these white threads on the left side of the frag. They react to touch. Thanks in advance.

Either spinoids or spaghetti worms. Cant see clearly in pics

 

[Reefahholic]

Those are Spionid for sure. One guy told me he dipped a lot of his LPS with good results.

May be worth a try if the coral is dying anyway.

Try this dose:

1% Ivermectin (get at any feed store or online)
Approximately 8-9 drops per 473mL.
473mL = 1/8 gallon or 1 Pint.
I dip for 1 hour.

Report back if you do.

 

[Reefahholic]

It looks like two strings per hole/tube, so I'd think Coral-boring Spionid Worms.

You are correct sir.

 

[BristleWormHater]

You are correct sir.

Ooh god they're so nasty

 

[TheMetalReefs]

Anyone local with Ivermectin already on hand? In the Miami area?

 

[TheMetalReefs]

You are correct sir.

when using Ivermectin, does it have to be that same injectable form (1%)? Have you tried with the paste form or tablets?

 

[TheMetalReefs]

Well, here we go. Gunna try and kill those worms. Will come back with pictures and results

 

[TheMetalReefs]

Ivermectin dip-
Start time: 6:30
Added 473ml (1 pint) of tank water into a clear container. Added airstone (for circulation). Added infected frogspawn to container. I added 10 drops of Ivermectin 1%. I also manually mixed the water to help mix the solution in the water. After about 5 minites I no longer saw the worms out. Left the coral in the dip for 1 hr, occasionally using a pipette to squirt dip into the infected areas.
After 1 hour, i removed the coral from the dip and into fresh tank water (473ml) for about 5 minutes, rinsing the coral to remove residual dip solution. I repeated this step 2 more times. Each time i observed the coral to see if worms came out. Didnt see any movement. After the second rinse i started to notice some strange whiteish thing. I thought it was a hidden critter but seems to be part of the coral. Maybe damage of some sort. After the last rinse it seems like the whiteish stuff started to spread. Maybe dying tissue? After tge rinsing i added coral back to DT. Coral never came back out but lights were already turning off at that point. Coral is looking a little rough.
End time: 8pm

After a bit in the tank my peppermint shrimp started to pick around the coral. I thought it was eating the coral but taking a closer look it looks like it was eating mayne the dead stuff on the coral. Also I maybe noticed movement from the coral reacting from the shrimp's touch, good thing maybe?

Checked my tank around 5 am this morning, obviously from lights out coral is not out but polyps look less floppy than yesterday....off to work, hopefully i see something promising when i come back.

 

[TheMetalReefs]

While at work wife took a picture. Frogspawn looks alive, not in the best shape, bit alive. no signs of worms.
Got back from work and coral does seem to be alive and moving. I moved frogspawn to a less bright area for recovery.