Crown of Thorns Sea Star!
- Thread starter Gen San Chris
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World Wide Diver
Contributor
Daphnia magna are water fleas that live in habitats from acidic swamps to freshwater - not coral reefs.
Sodium bisulphate injection is widely recognised as the most effective means of COT control. However, care must be taken to ensure that the correct mixture of salt water and sodium bisulfate is used.
Directly injecting the right mixture into the body of a COT has not yet proved to cause harm to coral. The sodium chloride diluted in seawater reacts to neutralise the acidity of sodium bisulfate.
Sulfates do not harm aquatic life and are already used in various water treatments, including in aquariums.
CODMAN
Contributor
The Daphnia, even though not a marine organism, are what is currently used in many (if not most) ecotoxicological tests for toxic effects of contaminants and chemicals on living organisms. Since it would be impossible to test toxicity on each and every species, they standardized the tests for certain organisms (in this case the Daphnia) to use as toxicological essays for determining the presence or absence of toxic effets (and mainly for legal/ courtroom purposes). So obviously, the Daphnia is not the same as reef organisms, but it is an indicator that the product is quite toxic (which is obvious, or it would be useless against COTs
).
I know that the product rapidly degrades in water (which is a good thing), but how about the dead COT's lying there full of this chemical? Their tissue contains the product (it's not in contact with water yet) and they are being munched on by others. Food on reefs being scarce, I'm sure all kinds of organisms are going to be having COT Addobo for dinner after you guys pass through with your COT guns. And this will possibly affect them. I might be wrong (it wouldn't be the first time
). But I'm pretty sure this hasn't been studied yet. Until it is you are potentially negatively affecting many other species of the reef food chain.
Now as I said, I might be wrong about this and I'll gladly dispel my ignorance about it if you can point me towards any litterature covering this subject. But we can't just assume that this product, however usefull it might be for killing COTs, has no adverse effects on the reef. Removing the dead COTs would definetly be the more prudent, although not very practical, way doing things.
Just my 0.02$ No one has to agree with it...
).I know that the product rapidly degrades in water (which is a good thing), but how about the dead COT's lying there full of this chemical? Their tissue contains the product (it's not in contact with water yet) and they are being munched on by others. Food on reefs being scarce, I'm sure all kinds of organisms are going to be having COT Addobo for dinner after you guys pass through with your COT guns. And this will possibly affect them. I might be wrong (it wouldn't be the first time
). But I'm pretty sure this hasn't been studied yet. Until it is you are potentially negatively affecting many other species of the reef food chain.Now as I said, I might be wrong about this and I'll gladly dispel my ignorance about it if you can point me towards any litterature covering this subject. But we can't just assume that this product, however usefull it might be for killing COTs, has no adverse effects on the reef. Removing the dead COTs would definetly be the more prudent, although not very practical, way doing things.
Just my 0.02$ No one has to agree with it...
CODMAN
Contributor
<---- Codman, you need to ask SB for the marine science user title.
science, bitches. It works!
But then I would be a World Renown Marine scientist, and I dont want that...
I wouldn't have any time left for diving...
I already don't have enough, so that's out of the question...Awesome diver is good enough for me...
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I recently read an article that some fishermen in Africa are drying COTS then pulverizing them into a powder. The powder is mixed with milk and then they drink it. It is like VIAGRA on steroids apparently. Finally, a use for COTS!!!
Hank49
Contributor
The Daphnia, even though not a marine organism, are what is currently used in many (if not most) ecotoxicological tests for toxic effects of contaminants and chemicals on living organisms. Since it would be impossible to test toxicity on each and every species, they standardized the tests for certain organisms (in this case the Daphnia) to use as toxicological essays for determining the presence or absence of toxic effets (and mainly for legal/ courtroom purposes). So obviously, the Daphnia is not the same as reef organisms, but it is an indicator that the product is quite toxic (which is obvious, or it would be useless against COTs
I know that the product rapidly degrades in water (which is a good thing), but how about the dead COT's lying there full of this chemical? Their tissue contains the product (it's not in contact with water yet) and they are being munched on by others. Food on reefs being scarce, I'm sure all kinds of organisms are going to be having COT Addobo for dinner after you guys pass through with your COT guns. And this will possibly affect them. I might be wrong (it wouldn't be the first time
Now as I said, I might be wrong about this and I'll gladly dispel my ignorance about it if you can point me towards any litterature covering this subject. But we can't just assume that this product, however usefull it might be for killing COTs, has no adverse effects on the reef. Removing the dead COTs would definetly be the more prudent, although not very practical, way doing things.
Just my 0.02$ No one has to agree with it...
Yeah, what he said.
And picking or killing COTs that have disproportionately multiplied is like stepping on cockroaches in a garbage dump. It won't have any effect. The COTs are there because the reef is already weakened and doesn't have its natural defenses working anymore. You must find the reason why the coral is weak and if possible, fix that problem. Healthy coral will control COTs.
There were large outbreaks of COTs after the 98 El Nino bleached coral worldwide. There in Sarangani Bay, the reefs get weak from pesticides (as mentioned earlier) I doubt the fresh water alone is the cause. Fresh water has been draining into there for thousands of years but only recently has been polluted by pesticides etc.
(imho. I'm not a "marine biologist" but I've killed millions of shrimp trying to farm them for 32 years.
and I was there in 99 and tried to eradicate COTS on Boracay...to no avail.)
shugar
Contributor
TELL THE CHINESE!!!! TELL THE CHINESE!!!!
where's dingho when you need him???
TELL THE CHINESE!!!!
Jag
Funny, Jag!
I don't remember if I've asked this question in this thread, but do you find the purple variant (different species?) of the COT in the PI? I saw it in Thailand, but I don't think I've seen it anywhere else. It blew my mind.
I don't remember if I've asked this question in this thread, but do you find the purple variant (different species?) of the COT in the PI? I saw it in Thailand, but I don't think I've seen it anywhere else. It blew my mind.
OP
Gen San Chris
Contributor
Hi DrBill, Yes we do have the purple one, there are several different colors from Purple to green to yellow and all shades between these colors! we got anothe 280 today!
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