Pet Forum / Aquaria / Marine Reef / July 2003

Some of my mushrooms are infested with what looks like a parasite, but I
can't find any information on them.  I have several different types of
mushrooms, but the infestation seems to be limited to one or two types.  The
ones they're concentrated on are dark grayish-green and have a fuzzy
canvas-like texture.  They're also on some of the red and the reddish
multi-colored mushrooms.  The parasites are slow moving creatures that seem
a little larger than the head of a pin.  They're about the same color as
pink coralline algae, and they're almost translucent.  They seem to move in
a slow squirting motion.  They look like the same creatures I discovered in
my refugium several months ago, but those were a clear translucent color.
None of the other fish or corals appear to be infected, and everything seems
healthy.  My reef has been up for almost two years, and other than a few
bouts with ick, I've never had any significant parasite problems.  These
things seem to be on the verge of exhausting some of the dark mushrooms.  I
hope they don't spread.  I haven't plucked the mushrooms yet, but it's
looking like I'm going to have to do something pretty quick.  Any help is
appreciated!!
Royce