Buyer Beware! Be careful whom your are dealing with!
Mar 21, 2013 18:39:28 GMT -5
Post by TREVOR on Mar 21, 2013 18:39:28 GMT -5
Buyer Beware:
Do not assume that online retailers and other dealers (including local ones) have pest free systems. While most will do their best to keep their systems clean, it is only natural that parasites of corals (be they wild collected or not) will occasionally slip through and be sold.
All folks purchasing, trading, or selling corals through this forum should be aware that there are many potential pests, parasites, and predators of corals. Many of these critters have only recently been identified. Some are specific for only one Genera of coral (say all Acropora, or all Sarcophyton). Some are very small, in some cases barely detectable to the naked eye. Some also have long development/reproductive periods, which makes detection and determination of the source very difficult, as many weeks, or even months may pass (depending upon conditions) before the target coral(s) begin to show any deterioration in health. Others are not so much predators, but rather just nuisance organisms, that can reach plague proportions in closed systems, such as our reef tanks are, where the natural predators are just not all in residence. For some of these critters there are control methods, or occasionally even 100% kill treatments. These treatments though are rarely without at least some consequence (side effects) to other organisms in the reef tank.
How to reduce potential problems:
1. Knowledge of the critter:
The best method of reducing your chance of acquiring one of these problematic organisms is knowledge of the critters. You will then be able to in some cases identify the problematic critter with just a glance, and not accept the specimen. In some cases you may be able to chemically treat for the critter, or simply manually remove it manually.
2. Knowledge of the source:
Knowing the source of the specimen is also valuable. If you?ve seen the tank it?s coming from and noticed that other closely related corals in the tank look sick, you might think twice. If you?ve known the hobbyist a long time, and trust their husbandry techniques, you should feel much safer in taking the coral.
3. Quarantine:
Just as with fish, quarantine of corals/invertebrates also has value. For some, the trouble of a second tank is just too much. For others, who have long established tanks with cherished colonies/pets that have grow from small frags, the risk of NOT quarantining the incoming specimen is MUCH too high. Quarantining incoming specimens allows for careful inspection, treatment, or just watchful waiting.
Types of Problematic organisms:
Ranking the danger of the various organisms is difficult since all tanks are different. In some tanks, the natural predators exist, and the organism will never get out of control. In other cases the target organism is not present, and without a host the parasite quickly dies. Below is a short list of some of the problematic critters, listed by the type of corals they infect. Some of the more comprehensive hobbyist reference books will also mention some of these parasite, and even more rare critters. A good list of most critters is:
reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-1...ture/index.php
A bunch of excellent photos of problematic critters is here:
www.reeffrontiers.com/photos_...ry.php?cat=543
Acropora: The most common parasite encountered has been the dreaded ?red-mites?, aka. red bugs, aka parasitic copepod (Tegastes acroporanus?, genus is certain, species may not yet be described). Methods of control have been mentioned elsewhere
www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...03/feature.htm
Lots of info also on the SPS forum of Reef Central.
A more recently encountered parasite is the Acropora eating flatworm (sorry, don?t know the species). Methods of control have been mentioned in our forum. A search on ?flatworms? will bring up useful threads.
reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/mc/index.php
Montipora:
Montipora eating nudibranch. A more rare critter, and usually easier to see than the pests mentioned above. Identification, and methods of control are mentioned:
www.reeffarmers.com/tracygraynudi01.htm
The above article is pretty dated. It's pretty well established that these parasites can be killed/controlled in a similar manner to the Acropora eating flatworms mentioned above. The link for that again was:
reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/mc/index.php
There many be many species of these, a search on Montipora and nudibranch will probably keep you up nights!
Tridac Clams:
Parasitic pyramidellae snails. These snails resemble grains of rice and they feed on Tridacna clams by sucking out the ?juices?. Identification and control methods, including a whole host of other parasites of Tridac clams:
reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/jf/index.php
Zoanthids:
There are snails that prey on Zoanthids. Photos here:
www.melevsreef.com/id/sundial.jpg
Nusience organisms:
Aiptasia:
Extremely common small species of photosynthetic anemone. These like to live in small holes on rocks and corals. They grow quickly and asexually reproduce, and can sting nearby corals. Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) will control them, as will copper-banded butterflyfish. Racoon butterfly fish will also control them, but will often eat other corals. Manual control methods are sometimes necessary (inject the critter with something toxic).
Anemonia" cf. manjano:
Similar to Aiptasia, but a bit more ?pretty?. These usually don?t reproduce as fast, and are not as common, but there are fewer readily available natural control organisms for these that won?t also dine on corals. Manual control methods are usually necessary (inject the critter with something toxic):
Greg H. edit. Sept07. Non-functional link removed. Updated link added.
www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/8/aaeditorial
Good photos here:
www.melevsreef.com/pics/bta/not/majano.html
Photosynthetic red flatworms: Convolutriloba retrogemma/red planaria/Acoel Flatworms ? these just proliferate quickly and can make your tank look ugly. They also tend to cover the corals, and if the flatworms die they can release a toxin that can kill fish. There are some chemical treatment for this, but they are not lightly performed. Some fish will also eat them, but it is quite hit or miss.
A search on Convolutriloba retrogemma will turn up lots of info.
The list goes on and on?but you get the idea. Buyer beware.
Buyers should ask potential sellers/traders if they have anything problematic in their system, and all sellers should be honest and mention (even without being asked) what pests might come along with their corals.
Happy reefing!
Do not assume that online retailers and other dealers (including local ones) have pest free systems. While most will do their best to keep their systems clean, it is only natural that parasites of corals (be they wild collected or not) will occasionally slip through and be sold.
All folks purchasing, trading, or selling corals through this forum should be aware that there are many potential pests, parasites, and predators of corals. Many of these critters have only recently been identified. Some are specific for only one Genera of coral (say all Acropora, or all Sarcophyton). Some are very small, in some cases barely detectable to the naked eye. Some also have long development/reproductive periods, which makes detection and determination of the source very difficult, as many weeks, or even months may pass (depending upon conditions) before the target coral(s) begin to show any deterioration in health. Others are not so much predators, but rather just nuisance organisms, that can reach plague proportions in closed systems, such as our reef tanks are, where the natural predators are just not all in residence. For some of these critters there are control methods, or occasionally even 100% kill treatments. These treatments though are rarely without at least some consequence (side effects) to other organisms in the reef tank.
How to reduce potential problems:
1. Knowledge of the critter:
The best method of reducing your chance of acquiring one of these problematic organisms is knowledge of the critters. You will then be able to in some cases identify the problematic critter with just a glance, and not accept the specimen. In some cases you may be able to chemically treat for the critter, or simply manually remove it manually.
2. Knowledge of the source:
Knowing the source of the specimen is also valuable. If you?ve seen the tank it?s coming from and noticed that other closely related corals in the tank look sick, you might think twice. If you?ve known the hobbyist a long time, and trust their husbandry techniques, you should feel much safer in taking the coral.
3. Quarantine:
Just as with fish, quarantine of corals/invertebrates also has value. For some, the trouble of a second tank is just too much. For others, who have long established tanks with cherished colonies/pets that have grow from small frags, the risk of NOT quarantining the incoming specimen is MUCH too high. Quarantining incoming specimens allows for careful inspection, treatment, or just watchful waiting.
Types of Problematic organisms:
Ranking the danger of the various organisms is difficult since all tanks are different. In some tanks, the natural predators exist, and the organism will never get out of control. In other cases the target organism is not present, and without a host the parasite quickly dies. Below is a short list of some of the problematic critters, listed by the type of corals they infect. Some of the more comprehensive hobbyist reference books will also mention some of these parasite, and even more rare critters. A good list of most critters is:
reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-1...ture/index.php
A bunch of excellent photos of problematic critters is here:
www.reeffrontiers.com/photos_...ry.php?cat=543
Acropora: The most common parasite encountered has been the dreaded ?red-mites?, aka. red bugs, aka parasitic copepod (Tegastes acroporanus?, genus is certain, species may not yet be described). Methods of control have been mentioned elsewhere
www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...03/feature.htm
Lots of info also on the SPS forum of Reef Central.
A more recently encountered parasite is the Acropora eating flatworm (sorry, don?t know the species). Methods of control have been mentioned in our forum. A search on ?flatworms? will bring up useful threads.
reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/mc/index.php
Montipora:
Montipora eating nudibranch. A more rare critter, and usually easier to see than the pests mentioned above. Identification, and methods of control are mentioned:
www.reeffarmers.com/tracygraynudi01.htm
The above article is pretty dated. It's pretty well established that these parasites can be killed/controlled in a similar manner to the Acropora eating flatworms mentioned above. The link for that again was:
reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/mc/index.php
There many be many species of these, a search on Montipora and nudibranch will probably keep you up nights!
Tridac Clams:
Parasitic pyramidellae snails. These snails resemble grains of rice and they feed on Tridacna clams by sucking out the ?juices?. Identification and control methods, including a whole host of other parasites of Tridac clams:
reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-09/jf/index.php
Zoanthids:
There are snails that prey on Zoanthids. Photos here:
www.melevsreef.com/id/sundial.jpg
Nusience organisms:
Aiptasia:
Extremely common small species of photosynthetic anemone. These like to live in small holes on rocks and corals. They grow quickly and asexually reproduce, and can sting nearby corals. Peppermint shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) will control them, as will copper-banded butterflyfish. Racoon butterfly fish will also control them, but will often eat other corals. Manual control methods are sometimes necessary (inject the critter with something toxic).
Anemonia" cf. manjano:
Similar to Aiptasia, but a bit more ?pretty?. These usually don?t reproduce as fast, and are not as common, but there are fewer readily available natural control organisms for these that won?t also dine on corals. Manual control methods are usually necessary (inject the critter with something toxic):
Greg H. edit. Sept07. Non-functional link removed. Updated link added.
www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/8/aaeditorial
Good photos here:
www.melevsreef.com/pics/bta/not/majano.html
Photosynthetic red flatworms: Convolutriloba retrogemma/red planaria/Acoel Flatworms ? these just proliferate quickly and can make your tank look ugly. They also tend to cover the corals, and if the flatworms die they can release a toxin that can kill fish. There are some chemical treatment for this, but they are not lightly performed. Some fish will also eat them, but it is quite hit or miss.
A search on Convolutriloba retrogemma will turn up lots of info.
The list goes on and on?but you get the idea. Buyer beware.
Buyers should ask potential sellers/traders if they have anything problematic in their system, and all sellers should be honest and mention (even without being asked) what pests might come along with their corals.
Happy reefing!