Button Polyps Disappearing FAST! HELP!!

[bluetmax]

I jut cannot figure out what is going on. I set up a 20 gallon long for my fiance' at her apartment, and her primary interest is button polyps. For some reason, polyps that have been healthy for MONTHS are starting to vanish over night. Its affecting some very nice colonies. One colony that was probably the size of a silver dollar was open and healthy before the lights went off, the next morning there were three polyps left, and two days later none. Its not affecting all colonies at one time either. It happens one-by-one until they're gone. The two newest additions are a clam and lawn mower blennie, which is who she is blaming it on. There is no evidence of nudis. I really would like to get this solved if anyone has any suggestions...PLEASE HELP!

[Kannin]

It might be a worm. Coming out at night... not all colonies at once...

[Bygkid]

I had a similar problem with my zoas and polyps. I found a Crab that had hitchhiked on the LR eating them slowly every night. He was so cool looking, it was hard for me to consider getting rid of him. OF course he managed to completely clean me out of about $150 of zoas and Polys. OF course he ALWAYS left the ugly ones alone. Needless to say, he was transferred to 'Fight Night' tank with a large Mantis shrimp.

[bluetmax]

Well, every colony is now gone. Does anybody have any more suggestions as to what may have caused this?

[OmarD]

Had same problem in my tank...finally found it was these little SOB's eating up my zoa's.


Sundial Snails







Of all of the coral predators this may perhaps be the most encountered by the reef aquarist. The Sundial snail (Heliacus Areola) has a very distinct pattern and is fairly easy to distinguish this species from other snails. The pattern almost resembles a checkerboard in some cases. At any rate these snails prey upon Zoanthus colonies and
often tuck themselves away tightly between polyps during the day. Like many of the predators the Heliacus Areola is also a nocturnal feeder and does tend to gorge itself on wiping out the entire colony, instead the consumption pace is a bit more steady. Gone unnoticed you may attribute the losses to natural causes. The snail makes a small hole at the base of the polyp and actually sucks out the contents. The remanding flesh of polyp typically decays and falls off shortly after. This tiny foe is not one pleasant addition if you prize your Zoanthus collection.