Moving baby RFAs

[JoJosReef]

Got a little bubble algae problem on my gyre...

Was thinking to take it out and do a citric acid bath for an hour to rid it of the bubble algae and do a general maintenance clean. However, I stopped when I noticed that it has 1, 2, 3! baby RFAs sitting right there in the middle of the Valonia forest:

Not sure why they chose this spot, but now I'm wondering if I can move them or if it's better to just leave the bubble algae be and let them grow where they are. They seem cozy enough--I would like to beat back the Valonia a bit, though.

Any of you RFA baby specialists have knowledge on how/where to move baby RFAs or if it's better to leave them along? @jkcoral @Ron Reefman

Thanks!

 

[tzabor10]

Perhaps try an ice cube and credit card. Cleaning should be done.

 

[Stang67]

Can you just take out the gyre, put it in a bucket and manually remove the bubble algae? Like with a dental pick or tooth pick. Work around the babies and get as much as you can?

 

[Cell]

Should be able to just gently separate them from the bubble algae. Baby rfa's don't have much holding power.

 

[jkcoral]

Got a little bubble algae problem on my gyre...

Was thinking to take it out and do a citric acid bath for an hour to rid it of the bubble algae and do a general maintenance clean. However, I stopped when I noticed that it has 1, 2, 3! baby RFAs sitting right there in the middle of the Valonia forest:

Not sure why they chose this spot, but now I'm wondering if I can move them or if it's better to just leave the bubble algae be and let them grow where they are. They seem cozy enough--I would like to beat back the Valonia a bit, though.

Any of you RFA baby specialists have knowledge on how/where to move baby RFAs or if it's better to leave them along? @jkcoral @Ron Reefman

Thanks!

Gotta be gentle with the little guys, but I would use a credit card or your fingernail to gently work up under the RFAs until they separate. Probably put them in a pvc cap or some type of container that you can temporarily cover while they reattach to some new substrate.

By the way, when I had some bubble algae last year I ordered some pitho crabs. Those things worked wonders.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I wouldn't try moving the baby RFAs if you really want to keep them. I'd pull the gyre, put it in some tank water and manually remove as much of the bubble algae as you can.

I guess the big question is... are the RFAs attached to the gyre or to the bubble algae?

If it's attached to the bubble algae, you could remove it and put the algae ant RFA in a smaller container with a fine mesh over the top and put it back in the tank and see what happens.

Either way, best of luck to you!

 

[JoJosReef]

I wouldn't try moving the baby RFAs if you really want to keep them. I'd pull the gyre, put it in some tank water and manually remove as much of the bubble algae as you can.

I guess the big question is... are the RFAs attached to the gyre or to the bubble algae?

If it's attached to the bubble algae, you could remove it and put the algae ant RFA in a smaller container with a fine mesh over the top and put it back in the tank and see what happens.

Either way, best of luck to you!

Thanks, Ron! I don't know yet if they are attached to the gyre or bubble algae clusters. I didn't want to mess with them yet, so I will probably take out the gyre in tank water, remove bubble algae around them and leave them in their small beds of bubble algae for the time being--they are there for a reason, and perhaps it is that they are comfortable.

And yes, I really want to keep them--been hoping for RFA babies for 2 years now and finally have a batch!

 

[JoJosReef]

Gotta be gentle with the little guys, but I would use a credit card or your fingernail to gently work up under the RFAs until they separate. Probably put them in a pvc cap or some type of container that you can temporarily cover while they reattach to some new substrate.

By the way, when I had some bubble algae last year I ordered some pitho crabs. Those things worked wonders.

you mean like this guy?

New video by Joseph Campo

photos.app.goo.gl

New video by Joseph Campo

photos.app.goo.gl

Due to this one pitho crab, there is almost no bubble algae left in the tank in places that are accessible to the crab! He's a champ!

 

[Ron Reefman]

Thanks, Ron! I don't know yet if they are attached to the gyre or bubble algae clusters. I didn't want to mess with them yet, so I will probably take out the gyre in tank water, remove bubble algae around them and leave them in their small beds of bubble algae for the time being--they are there for a reason, and perhaps it is that they are comfortable.

And yes, I really want to keep them--been hoping for RFA babies for 2 years now and finally have a batch!

Congratulations! Best of luck with the little guys.

I just bought 5 RFAs to add to my re-established 40g aio. I had 3 colorful RFAs and 3 locally collected (by me) RFAs that almost blend in with the rocks (browns, blacks & off white with some nice patterns). But I'm having issues getting them to attach to anything. So far, almost 48 hours since they arrived, only one is attached to its end cap and is in the tank.

 

[jkcoral]

you mean like this guy?

New video by Joseph Campo

photos.app.goo.gl

New video by Joseph Campo

photos.app.goo.gl

Due to this one pitho crab, there is almost no bubble algae left in the tank in places that are accessible to the crab! He's a champ!

Pitho crabs crack me up, cool looking little guys!

I have some new babies starting to show up this morning. Super tiny, and so small they are hard to photograph. Here’s one next to some pikachu Zoas

Getting close to the full moon and it’s spring, keep an eye out for the next few days and there might be another spawn!

 

[JoJosReef]

Pitho crabs crack me up, cool looking little guys!

I have some new babies starting to show up this morning. Super tiny, and so small they are hard to photograph. Here’s one next to some pikachu Zoas

Getting close to the full moon and it’s spring, keep an eye out for the next few days and there might be another spawn!

what are you feeding them and how often? I've been dumping extra dead phyto (Reef Nutrition PhytoFeast) and OysterFeast into the tank.

 

[jkcoral]

what are you feeding them and how often? I've been dumping extra dead phyto (Reef Nutrition PhytoFeast) and OysterFeast into the tank.

Same. I always target feed them with phyto and every couple days with some reefroids/benereef