"Constructive" Destruction

[Tank102a]

A couple years ago I came across a reef tank that had a few fish that have been known to nibble on SPS. When I asked why the owner of the tank said that he keeps them around cause pieces that have been eaten sprout new branches. So a mature reef can actually benefit from a little destruction.

I never tried it but I would like to know if anybody has any experience with this.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I do know that some polyps will respond by sprouting new polyps if they are cut or nicked. Problem is that you dont want them all eaten! HA!

 

[edwing206]

I imagine it would only work that way if it were a very large tank packed with SPS. That way the fish would have lots of coral to choose from and not decimate a single colony.

 

[EliteReefs]

there are a few veyr well known tanks that do this. matter a fact in the videos of those tank you can even see the fish eating the polyps. the key to these tank like said above is they are very large and PACKED with veyr large and mature sps.

 

[treylane]

I've got a few fish that nibble SPS on occasion... for my small colonies/frags the nibbling doesn't seem to speed up growth. Maybe larger colonies respond differently?

 

[Alpha Aquaculture]

Do you think that the fish would prefer certain sps over others and that those would suffer more than the rest of the population?

I know that when I go out to eat I like to eat bacon cheeseburgers and I leave the chicken sammies alone!

 

[treylane]

For us 'mere mortals', it's best to find fish who thinks mysis shrimp and pellets = cheeseburger, and corals = spinach with 'lite' salad dressing

 

[EricInFL]

I'm not going to take the chance with my SPS. If I want them to split, I'll frag them and wait for them to grow back out.

 

[wicked demon]

Some SPS eating fish pick at lower, less healthy polyps allowing the coral to better direct resources to mature polyps in the best possition for photosynthisis and growth.

 

[Erick@]

I would fear for the corals.

 

[inactive]

Keep in mind some more sensitive corals might be triggered to RTN which one bite.

 

[Alpha Aquaculture]

Very good point Kraylen! Didn't think of that.. an injured coral in general is more prone to infection


On the other hand, you would be 'constructing' more healthy sps eating fish and a thicker sandbed with the destruction of your sps.

If the idea is to make your 'sticks' start branching, the most constructive destruction would be to frag them and either plant them around the tank or share them with us