Are these corals being eaten?

[Lousybreed]

Guys the Favia vanished overnight. Does this look like the work of a coral eater? The acan almost looks like chunks of it are missing. I have added two file fish to my tank and several peppermint shrimp also. I am battling aptasia at the moment.

 

[Mikedawg]

Not all file fish are reef safe; I've seen mine nipping at a coral or two although I have never noticed any damage. I would guess the result of stinging tentacles/coral warfare is what you see.

 

[Lousybreed]

I was thinking that but the other corals that are close to “the culprit” are not affected. I have the green filefish. The aptasia eating ones. I kept them in a frag tank and never saw anything like this. Could this be peppermint shrimp or something else?

 

[Lousybreed]

Could common whelks do this? I have them in my tanks.

 

[Mikedawg]

Could common whelks do this? I have them in my tanks.

Don't think so: http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-11/rs/index.php

I was thinking that but the other corals that are close to “the culprit” are not affected. I have the green filefish. The aptasia eating ones. I kept them in a frag tank and never saw anything like this. Could this be peppermint shrimp or something else?

Maybe species specific attack by Acan which I assume is the coral you are concerned about (beautiful btw). I would watch to see if its sweepers extend after dark.

 

[Lousybreed]

Could common whelks do this? I have them in my tanks.

 

[DSC reef]

In your first pic I'd say that acan echinata could have digested that part of your favites. File fish, IME love acans and once they have a taste they keep going. The longest we kept a file fish was a little over a year before eating chunks of LPS, others within a week.

 

[Lousybreed]

I am going to keep an eye on the LPS. You are right. I relocated all LPS (more for torch, hammers, etc) to a 2” spacing rule for favias, echinatas, acans. The file fish seem somewhat catchable.

 

[TMB]

In your first pic I'd say that acan echinata could have digested that part of your favites. File fish, IME love acans and once they have a taste they keep going. The longest we kept a file fish was a little over a year before eating chunks of LPS, others within a week.

I agree with @DSC reef . File fish love acans, and will nip and even eat many LPS. I've tried 3 on separate occasions - all ended up being less than safe for LPS corals.