Explanation
I bought frags from Ray around 3 months ago. Not knowing of these flatworms, I was confused why 2 out of the 3 colonies I got from him started to bleach from the bottom up. I removed the 2 colonies and inspected them, finding eggs attached to the bottom of the 2 colonies. I disposed of the 2 colonies. This was the first time I ever observed these eggs on any of my colonies. I waited a month before selling frags or buying any new ones and observed my tank. There were absolutely no corals that died or bleached during that month. All of the corals in my tank at that time had been in my tank for at leas 1/2 year with no problems.
Then I bought the bali aquacultured from you, about 2-3 weeks ago (not sure about the exact day, time etc). Everything looked good for a week, then the yellow coral's polyps stopped coming out this week. I removed the coral last night and inspected the bottom of the coral with a magnifying glass...I found the eggs. I have inspected all other colonies in my tank and also all of my frags and they do not have the flatworms. All of my incoming corals get an interceptor treatment and a 15-20 minute Lugol's solution dip. If I had known that your shop or Ray's corals had these pests, I would have either returned them to you, thrown them out b4 putting them in my tank, or treated them.
The key point here is that I trusted AA and Ray. I trusted that I would have been informed about any problems, especially these pests. But not one retailer told me there were any problems with these colonies. I blame the retailers, not for the worms, but for the failure to notify me that the corals I bought were infected.
I have not been trading or selling since the last frag swap and believe me I much more responsible and would never trade or sell anything from my system knowing that it could infest someone elses tank. Your slick accusation that I am selling infected corals is unfounded and seems like an attempt to reflect responsibility from yourself and your shop
Another note: Corals I have bought from Jeremy at CRA, at from Skipton's are all doing great and are thriving today....no worms....no bugs. These corals were bought over 1/2 year ago to re-stock my tank after my RTN problem subsided. Since All of these corals were bought over 1/2 year ago and I am thus certain that this worm problem is due to current purchases at AA and Reefdom (Ray).
All the other corals I bought from you died from unknown causes: The hydnophora never showed polyps, never. The Australiagyris (sp?) wasted away to nothing and the skin just kept peeling off. The third coral also withered away. So I now have nothing for the $400 I spent at your store.
Aqua Addict said:
Just for my own curiousity... How did you come to the conclusion that you got the pests from Myself or Scott considering that you bought the corals from me 3+ months ago or have you known about it and have been trading and selling your frags knowing full well that you have had the problem?
Mike
