Poisoned Zoo Colony

[johnsmith]

I recently bought a large frag with approx 8, 2" diameter "green hairy mushrooms". Had a few problems positioning in tank and they excreted a whitish gunk from mouths. Unfortunately my large colony of mixed zoos were down stream, since which time (2 days now) the zoos have refused to open.

Unsure of exact species of mushroom, sold as ricorda floridae, but look more like Rhodactis indosinensis. Do either of these emit toxins when stressed that could have affected the zoos, or is it just coincidence?

Everything else in tank is fine.

SG 1.024
24 degrees C
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0

 

[CageUK]

When my Ricordea expelled white stuff they melted shortly afterwards. I understand that the white stuff is their internals that they spit out shortly before they die.

They do emit toxins and a quick google brought up this article amongst numerous others so it's worth doing a quick search for 'ricordea toxin' or something similar.

 

[johnsmith]

The mushrooms are doing absolutely fine and well expanded.

 

[johnsmith]

Figured this out this morning. On checking the tank the zoos were absolutely covered in hundreds of very small nudibranchs. Upon advice of lfs
iodine dip for 20 mins, rinse and return to tank. Need to repeat tomorrow as there are still a few knocking about, but there does seem to be a bit of life with a few polyps opening. Anyone else had experience of a nudibranch population explosion? Also managed to eject a small mantis in the dipping process! Just makes me wonder what else is in there.

 

[Colin_T]

All soft corals emit poisons on a regular basis. They use it for defensive & offensive purposes, and when they are stressed out (in a bag for several hours). The easiest way to reduce the poisons that are released is to do a big water change. Carbon can be used to absorb the chemicals and protein skimmers will help to remove some as well. If you buy a new coral then don't pour the bag water into the tank because it is usually full of chemicals from the coral. After the corals have been living together for a while, they stop releasing chemicals and settle down. If you introduce a new coral after this has happened, then the other corals will start fighting again and release more chemicals.