Derek Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 So last night my medusa worm thought it would be a fabulous idea to go through a powerhead. How do I know? I saw him do it (super gross). I thought it wouldn't be an issue since I got the "body" out (even grosser) but apparently not. A few of my fish are still swimming around happy and are showing no signs of stress. My plan for today is to... 1) Cry. 2) Fill all my reactors with carbon. 3) Cry again. 4) Do a large water change. 5) Hope that the rest of my fish don't die. Is this the best that I can do? Is there anything else I can do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ckyuv Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I'm sorry man that sure does suck. Are you able to catch the survivors to put them in toxin free water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timfish Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I am so sorry! I know how devistating it is to lose everything when I had an atlantic carpet do something similar. Carbon and water change is what I would do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 I'm not able to catch the survivors. I'm not sure if it would really help though. The toxin is already in their bodies. I'm sorry man that sure does suck. Are you able to catch the survivors to put them in toxin free water? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 Does anyone know if these things are poisonous to people? I'm really ambivalent to stick my hands in there to get the deads out and my grabber is not really doing the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Ah jeez man. That's terrible. Sorry Derek for the rotten luck. Lmk if I can help with anything since I am just down the road. I am heading out for 1-2hrs but should be around after that the rest of the day. -Ty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I have an aquaglove that should cover you up to your shoulder if you need it. About to leave but can put it out by the front door if you want to grab it. -Ty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Advanced aquarist article quote grabs: "These toxins also affect humans, and many people suffer moderate to severe skin and eye irritation if they come into contact with these toxins (Cunningham and Goetz 1996). Some cases in which toxins came into direct contact with the eyes have resulted in blindness, and deaths have even been reported in cases where people have eaten these animals without the proper preparation." -in context of the most toxic species... so may be not applicable but still makes me want to stay away from it. "In general, toxins are only released when the cucumbers are under severe stress (such as being chewed up after being sucked into a powerhead or overflow grate), and a diligent aquarist will usually prevent this from ever happening, and therefore never experience any problems with one of these animals. If however, and accident happens, and the cucumber is stressed severely enough to release its chemical defenses, then a good water change, together with an efficient skimmer and some activated carbon are usually sufficient to prevent any fish from asphyxiating from the soap-like holothurin." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 Here's my population. X denotes that it is confirmed dead. Tangs Sailfin Tang (1) X Orange Shoulder Tang (1) Blonde Naso Tang (1) X Blue Regal Tang (1) Purple Tang (1) Yellow Tang (2) XX Vlamingii Tang (1) X Yellow-Eye Kole (1) X Damsels Blue Green Chromis (4) XXX Ambon Damsel (1) X Maroon Clown (1) Cinnamon Clown (2) Angels Flame Angel (1) X Coral Beauty Angel (1) X Golden Angel (1) X Lamarck's Angel (1) X Koran Angel (1) Passer Angel (1) Wrasses Cleaner Wrasse (1) Hoeven's Wrasse (1) Argus Wrasse (1) Nebulous Wrasse (1) Miscellaneous Marine Betta (1) Dwarf Comet (1) Starry Blenny (1) Red Hawkfish (1) X Flame Hawkfish (1) X Spotted Hawkfish (1) Blue Throat Triggerfish (Female) X Red Japanese Waspfish (1) Pseudochromis Yellow Dottyback (1) Green Dottyback (1) Orangetail Dottyback (1) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 jeez, sorry man. that blows. yeesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Surprisingly the tank still looks very lively in light of all that loss. I couldn't imagine the beauty of all of those fishes swimming around when you had the full population. Sorry for your loss bud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko's Reef Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Wow Derek sorry for that tragedy. That's hard to swallow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bige Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 I'm really sorry. It's amazing how even on a tank as big as yours this toxin was still strong enough to do so much damage. I wish I could help out. But not sure what I could do for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizardx322 Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 Sorry to hear about the fish deaths. RCA is having their first Friday sale this fri maybe you. Can replace some there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 Thanks everyone. I really appreciate it. All my remaining fish seem to be doing alright. I think the worst of it is behind me. Lesson learned... Medusa worms, while cool, have a bad side effect that is one that can happen to anyone even if precautions are taken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted July 2, 2013 Author Share Posted July 2, 2013 Thanks so much. The glove is awesome and helped me take care of this without being freaked out. I have an aquaglove that should cover you up to your shoulder if you need it. About to leave but can put it out by the front door if you want to grab it.-Ty 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted July 2, 2013 Share Posted July 2, 2013 No problem Derek. People always make fun of me for using the glove but its awesome! I think someone actually took my picture once using it just for kicks. Lol. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason & Amber Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I was so sad when I read this. So sorry for your loss. =( They were so pretty. What is a Medusa worm? Is that like a sea cucumber? I do not want to add any to my tank. -Amber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Planeden Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 I was so sad when I read this. So sorry for your loss. =( They were so pretty. What is a Medusa worm? Is that like a sea cucumber? I do not want to add any to my tank. -Amber It is an odd little cucumber. http://www.reefs.org/library/article/r_toonen7.html. A cucumber with no feet or something. Anatomy is not my thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ct67stang Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 So sorry your going through this. no one likes losing fish. That many at once is so sad. Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesL Posted July 4, 2013 Share Posted July 4, 2013 Sorry to hear about the troubles! This is making me re-think getting one for my symbiosis tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph.Ruelle Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 Sounds like a nightmare! I hope you get it all figured out. Carbon and water changes will be your best friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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