Recently, I have often been asked what is crawling around in the transportation cups next to the corals. Stowaways have probably crept in.
Yes, that is correct and in 99% of cases there is no need to worry. My coral system is not sterile and the colorful mixture of different creatures is also part of the success of my system. After all, a mixed forest is healthier than a monoculture.
In addition to the harmless crustaceans, you can never completely rule out the possibility of one or two pests hanging around in the system. However, these are usually of little consequence if you have a balanced stock of animals of all species in the tank to keep the pest population low.
I recommend that everyone selects their fish and invertebrate stock not only according to their appearance, but also according to their biological function in the reef, in order to counteract the proliferation of pests.
Before shipping, I always take another look at the cuttings and check whether I detect any pests such as AEFW (Acropora Eating Flatworms). If this is the case, I contact you before shipping and ask whether we should put the affected cuttings back or whether I should pack another coral instead.
Despite all the care I take, it can still happen that I overlook something. If this happens, please let me know.
Now to the little animals that could enter your home hidden:
Woodlice (Isopods, Syncassidina)
These small isopods are about 1-3 mm in size and have a flat dorsal shield. They live on the underside of the frags. A few of these tiny creatures travel with pretty much every coral. Recently they have caused a stir with some customers because they look like AEFW on the bottom of the transport cups. But don't worry, these little creatures are harmless.
Recommendation for action:
None. Enjoy biodiversity and live food for wrasses, chromis & co
Predators:
Wrasses, especially six-striped wrasses, chormis, chelmon etc.
amphipods (gammarids)
Like isopods, various species of amphipods burrow around in detritus. They are generally harmless. There are a few species that build their living tubes out of detritus inside coral stalks. This is annoying because it can damage the coral at the site. You can remove these crabs with a toothpick. Bathing the coral in Fauna Marin's The Dip also helps to get rid of these crustaceans. However, a balanced stocking of predators is usually sufficient to keep the population low.
Recommendation for action:
Take a close look at the offshoots to see if there are any tubes of detritus inside. If so, remove these with a toothpick and bathe the coral in The Dip. Otherwise, enjoy the biodiversity and live food for wrasses, chromis & co
Predators:
Wrasses, especially six-striped wrasses, chormis, chelmon etc.
AEFW (Acropora Eating Flat Worms)
Acropora fans get a cold shiver down their spine when they hear this name. Mass reproduction of these flatworms has already wrecked one or two SPS tanks. In my system, with around 150 different Acropora species, there is always one or other breeding stock on which a few of these pests live. However, due to a sufficient stocking of predators and regular monitoring of the corals, they do not reach a number that could cause concern. Usually it is always the same few corals that are infested by AEFW: Acropora Tricolor, Florida, Millepora and Valida. The rest are ignored.
That's why I take a close look at cuttings of these species to see whether a worm might have sneaked into the transport cup. However, if a planarian has come to you, there is no need to panic. The worms can be reliably removed from the coral with a bath in the dip. And there are usually no clutches on the offshoots as they are still too fresh for the worms to make themselves at home.
Recommendation for action:
Look at the coral to see if you can find any signs of AEFW feeding. Look at the underside of the coral and frags to see if there are any clutches. If so, remove the clutches mechanically (scrape them off with a knife) and bathe the coral in The Dip. Please let me know if you find AEFW on my frags.
Predators:
Wrasses, especially six-striped wrasses. Many shrimp species, such as Wurdemannis, eat both the worms and their clutches and are a good profilaxis against AEFW.
Tube corals (Stolonifera, Phenganax)
Sometimes a species of tube coral travels along on the frags. This species in particular is somewhat unattractive to look at, but unlike its conspecifics it does not seem to be a cause for concern as it does not nettle. Stony corals have not yet been damaged by this coral in my system, but it can darken zoas and cause them to degenerate.
Recommendation for action:
Take a look at the coral and frags to see if you can spot the meshwork of the tube coral. If so, brush it off with an old toothbrush and rinse the coral outside the aquarium with aquarium water so that no residue gets into the tank.
Predators:
If the tube coral has spread in the tank, the boring reef urchin has proven to be useful. It reliably grazes the colonies of this coral in my tank. Tree nudibranchs (Marionia rubra) are also said to be a suitable predator.
