Help? Sand looking pests?

xmike24 · 12/10/2013, 03:55 PM

Didn't know where to post this, but seeing as it's on my Duncan I felt as if it were relevant here.

Everything in my tank looks extremely healthy. Nothing looks like it's dieing.
However today I saw (random circle spots?) conjoined with white specs that literally look like sand.

Ideas? Take it out and dip it?

xmike24 · 12/10/2013, 03:59 PM

Not sure why that photo is upside down.
Here is a photo that might help better.

Reef Frog · 12/10/2013, 06:39 PM

I can't really tell from the photos. White spheres that stay in place from day to night are sometimes eggs of something. Dipping & observing is low risk however. But dips often don't affect eggs. If they're on calcium skeleton, plucking them off with a pick or soft brush is another possibility if they concern you. QT is yet another possibility for the ultra-careful.

xmike24 · 12/12/2013, 02:15 PM

NEW Development...
I think it's F$#%@$# Asterina Stars

I've had them for 2 years and only see 2 or 3 in the tank at a time, and not once have they ever eaten coral... However, that being said, I'm pretty sure they're the culprit.

EDIT: Could it be the bicolored blenny? I just read a post by someone else that says theirs is eating all their green coral?

12/10/2013, 03:55 PM	#1
xmike24 Dog Trainer Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 281	Help? Sand looking pests? Didn't know where to post this, but seeing as it's on my Duncan I felt as if it were relevant here. Everything in my tank looks extremely healthy. Nothing looks like it's dieing. However today I saw (random circle spots?) conjoined with white specs that literally look like sand. Ideas? Take it out and dip it?

12/12/2013, 02:15 PM	#4
xmike24 Dog Trainer Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 281	NEW Development... I think it's F$#%@$# Asterina Stars I've had them for 2 years and only see 2 or 3 in the tank at a time, and not once have they ever eaten coral... However, that being said, I'm pretty sure they're the culprit. EDIT: Could it be the bicolored blenny? I just read a post by someone else that says theirs is eating all their green coral? Last edited by xmike24; 12/12/2013 at 02:26 PM.

12/10/2013, 03:59 PM	#2
xmike24 Dog Trainer Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 281	Not sure why that photo is upside down. Here is a photo that might help better.

12/10/2013, 06:39 PM	#3
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	I can't really tell from the photos. White spheres that stay in place from day to night are sometimes eggs of something. Dipping & observing is low risk however. But dips often don't affect eggs. If they're on calcium skeleton, plucking them off with a pick or soft brush is another possibility if they concern you. QT is yet another possibility for the ultra-careful.