Dead Zoa Polyps?

I have a zoa and I've just gone through some ammonia troubles, but i think that's squared away now. however, i don't want the ammonia to come back and some of the polyps appear to be dead (no opening, white tip protruding from the polyp). I was going to take it out, tweezer off the dead polyps, and put it back. Is that the proper way of doing it?

 

Generally a reef tank will take care of dead and dying creatures naturally. Anything removed is nutrients lost. I'd leave it for the time being and keep up on testing and water changes. The notable exceptions are anything which is toxic or poisonous, especially anemones.

 

Well i was under the impression that zoas could be toxic (at least to humans when you frag em). Plus the dead ones ain't exactly the most attractive piece in what i guess i would have to call my show tank (just have one, 3 gal reef). Right now its only got one Fire Red Blood Shrimp, the zoas, and live rock (i think the rock has some small red coco worm hitchhikers on it), so i'm not sure that it will really "take care of it." It's almost brand new (about three weeks old now), and it has not quite finished the cycle (I know, i shouldn't have the shrimp or zoas yet, long story with a very sneaky LFS salesman and one very inexperienced, gullible salt water novice).

 

copenhagen 1221 - yours is a common story ,there seems to be a lot of short sighted people in sales , a customer who has a good experience comes back and buys in the future , someone rushed into parting with money to quickly, has a bad experience and looks for a new store

you can remove them for aesthetic reasons, if you want
but as Trelane says, you dont have to and in a tank thats still cycling these decaying Zoas will speed that process up for you

 

Oh, okay. If it's going to speed up the cycle then I'll definitely keep em. I thought it would add ammonia to the tank and, obviously, I don't want ammonia with my Fire Shrimp in there. Already lost the Percula I bought, there's $8 down the drain. Once it cycles, I'll pluck the dead ones out of there.

And about that fish store, it sold me some saltwater a few days after (it's the only store with salt water in like a 20 mile radius) but it turned out to be freshwater and my jug of saltwater went down to 1.019 spec grav. Needless to say, I think I might just start making my own water.

 

You really have to do your homework and watch pet shops due their ignorance, often times, and ways of making the almighty buck at your expense!
Gaining as much knowledge as you can, researching and preparation will assist you the next time you venture out to the local pet shop and even with online venues as well.
As for your zoanthids, leave them as they are very resislient animals and may come back. It is not uncommon for zoanthids to remain closed for up to a week or so and still be healthy. Heck, mine are recovering nicely after my metal halide pendant light fell into my 125 gallon reef tank yesterday!!!
Give life a chance before making the move to remove them from your tank.
Good luck!

 

Thanks, I know they are extremely hardy and can take pretty much anything I throw at them. The thing is is that while some of them are just fine and opening great, others are closed but still recognizeably alive, but still others are not only closed but don't even resemble the other polyps. They have a white tip (but I don't necessarily want to call it ooze). I'll try and post a picture...