STT to VT

[bluespotjawfish]

Hang in there Drew! You will get through this, really!

[Dentoid]

Originally Posted by ScubaDrew

Thanks for your help everyone, I think this hobby is too much for me.

Drew

Drew it's hard to see a pet, even a fish, go through something like this. There were many times when I wanted to throw my hands up and say forget it. Like Lorraine said, you'll get through this. There will be many pit falls along the reefing path, but the successes will outweigh the failures. Stick with my friend. It's worth it!

[ScubaDrew]

I just read about these Epicaridean isopods eating candy striped shrimp. Appears to be just like what I found on that large crab that died w/ the eggs on it. I think these things have been feeding on crabs up till now.

This would make me think that if I plan to starve them out, all the crabs would have to die. Cucumber also? Snails, hermits?
I have two shrimp in my tank also...

[Dentoid]

Are you sure that is what you have? Don't over react, I know that is easy to say, but take a deep breath and continue your research. We're here to guide you through.

[goldenmean]

I was just reading some treads on another site (cough rc cough) on Brian Plankis' forum about the cirolanid. Someone had found the isopod on the body of a recently deceased hermit crab. Brian said that the cirolanid probably did not kill the hermit but rather was just scavenging on the hermits dead corpse.
So your assumption that these cratures will not starve until all your crabs, snails, and shrimp are dead MAY NOT be correct.
Scott is right. Take a deep breath and do more reading.

We are not positive that you are dealing with cirolanids.
I can not see the big eyes in your pics. even the macro shots.

If it is these bad isopods we will beat them.
The stinky water trap seems very effective.

[ScubaDrew]

I'll get started early tomorrow with setting up a QT tank, building the traps, brewing stinky water, and try for better photos to see if we can spot eyes on the isopod.

Appreciate your help with researching this Dentoid and goldenmean.

I just redlighted the tank - pretty quiet in there, foxface is in his camo sleeping. No sign of any pods swimming around...

[lcstorc]

While I have no info to help with the problem I will say. Don't give up!! All of our reefs have had their ups and downs and the downs can get pretty depressing. Keep reading and treat as best you can.
Do not give up. You have a lot of helpful hands here ready to help any way we can.

[Melanie]

Originally Posted by ScubaDrew

I didn't realize how difficult this would be in terms of harming these animals.

Tomorrow I plan on removing the fish, treating it, and returning it if I'm successful.

I feel responsible for harming this foxface and don't want to risk hurting anything else.

Thanks for your help everyone, I think this hobby is too much for me.

Drew

Drew, please please keep your chin up. We ALL have had set backs (I electrucuted my hubby , flooded my hardwood floors, and more) and reef keeping is not too much for you. You are really doing a good job and sometimes these things are not your fault at all.

I can't believe how much I missed on your thread in such a short time.

Please read as much as you can before you take action. I agree with the post about reading up-to-date info. New products and theories have come out in the past 7 years.

Keep us posted.

Karma for your foxface.

[ScubaDrew]

This morning both parasites have dropped off my foxface. He does not appear to have any wounds, but it could be that they are just too small. I'll have to wait for one of them to re-attach or catch one to try and get a better ID.

The fox face occasionally picks at some plants and from the short time I've had him seems to be acting normal.

I'm going to build a couple traps now and see if I cant catch them tonight...

Did I mention the new mushrooms are very happy?















New HH

[lcstorc]

Great pics.
That last one looks like an asterina star but I have only seen them in white. A relative perhaps?
The shrooms look super happy and I am glad the foxface seems to be fine. Hopefully he is.

[goldenmean]

Wow That is a big mushroom colony. Pretty!

Good news for now about the Foxface. From what I had read yesterday I thought they would drop off but did not think they would after one day.
How is the stinky water bait coming along?
Happy isopod hunting!

[ScubaDrew]

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Great pics.
That last one looks like an asterina star but I have only seen them in white. A relative perhaps?
The shrooms look super happy and I am glad the foxface seems to be fine. Hopefully he is.

I think you nailed that one Lynn! I looked up asterina, and found that they can be white or dirty white colored on AsterinaFAQs

Thanks for the ID!

Drew

[ScubaDrew]

Originally Posted by GeeWizzItsMe

BTW I think those white "strange things" and orange "sponges" are tunicates.. I went to the TBS website and those appeared as some of their hitchikers! I sooo want TBS rock!!! Also, I agree with goldenmean on the decorator crab.

I agree GWIM, these are identical to the photos on TBS's trunicates!

[ScubaDrew]

Which brings me to the question, how do i 'prune' these guys. The rock has a broken off montipora base on it still. The shrooms are shadowing over the edge of it, and its dying.

I think if I could remove some of the shrooms I could bring this minti back.

Drew

Originally Posted by goldenmean

Wow That is a big mushroom colony. Pretty!

Good news for now about the Foxface. From what I had read yesterday I thought they would drop off but did not think they would after one day.
How is the stinky water bait coming along?
Happy isopod hunting!

[Melanie]

Great news about your parasites!!!! I'm so happy to hear that.