Is something munching on my Euphyllia?

[I'm a natural blue]

Hey there folks! I hoping someone might be able to help me identify what is causing various Euphyllia in my tank to lose heads. I statrted noticing some of the smaller heads dying. For the last several days they aren't opening in all their glory like they normally do and I noticed this on one of my torches today. It looks like something is munching on the stem! WT? Has anyone experienced this before? I've taken them all out and dipped them in Bayer but my concern is that it is something not neccessarily "in" them but living amongst them. Idea's?

 

[leahfiish]

Check at night to see if you can see any pests. Also, if you have any angelfish, butterflies, or peppermint shrimp, keep an eye on them.

 

[I'm a natural blue]

Check at night to see if you can see any pests. Also, if you have any angelfish, butterflies, or peppermint shrimp, keep an eye on them.

Thanks @leahfiish ....as a matter of fact we just transfered 3 peppermint shrimp to the tank from my seahorse tank (I had to move it to a different room....long story). However, all three seem to "live" on the opposite side of the tank (90g) and we never see them go to the other. Do you think they would just eat the heads or are they capable of damaging the stalks too? I will definitely prop up with a cold one and do some late night gazing. Also have a Coral Beauty. She has been with us as long as the Euphyllia (over a year) and I haven't witnessed her picking, not to say she hasn't though. Will keep an eye out.

 

[Maritimer]

How are the calcium and ALK in that tank?

The skeleton almost looks as though it's eroding . . .

~Bruce

 

[I'm a natural blue]

How are the calcium and ALK in that tank?

The skeleton almost looks as though it's eroding . . .

~Bruce

Calcium is 460
Dkh 10

 

[leahfiish]

Yeah looking more closely it does look like the skeletons are getting eaten. Definitely look at night. Also what other fish do you have?

 

[falconut]

I had similar issues years ago with mine. Eventually I believe dipping them in lugols solution fixed my issue. I've added drops periodically to my tank since.

Your pictures look like the tissue might be receding not being nipped on. Possibly. Hopefully the dip you did will help. Keep an eye on them, mine took a few days before they started to look better. Good luck.

 

[I'm a natural blue]

Yeah looking more closely it does look like the skeletons are getting eaten. Definitely look at night. Also what other fish do you have?

1 foxface
1 Yelloweye Kole Tang
3 ocellaris
1 firefish
1 coral beauty
1 diamond back goby
1 cleaner wrassse
2 emerald crabs
3 conchs
a few turbos
bluelegs crabs
1 scarlet red crab

 

[I'm a natural blue]

Here is the tank....Some of the Euphyliia are still mad at being dipped and we just fed the tank...sorry for the phone camera quality.

 

[I'm a natural blue]

My husband just found a thread from someone that experienced a similar issue. He thinks it was erosion from his LED lights. Anyone heard of that before? I have 3 kessil A150 deep blues and the torch was at the top end of the tank. Thoughts?

 

[Maritimer]

That's a new one for me . . .

Why would one light source produce erosion, while others of similar spectrum don't? And why only in certain tanks?

~B.

 

[I'm a natural blue]

That's a new one for me . . .

Why would one light source produce erosion, while others of similar spectrum don't? And why only in certain tanks?

~B.

Great question. Maybe too close to the water surface? That is the only thing I can think of for that scenario. I never heard of it before. Considering I am still a newbie I thought I ask for more experienced feed back. Thanks Bruce!

 

[Renoreefer]

I have a torch with 7 heads now only 5 thanks to my emerald crab. Shortly after bringing it home and acclamation my emerald cream decided to snack on two of the heads ,I just happened to walk by my tank and witness him picking away so off to the refugium he went and now the torch is fine
Keep a eye on the crabs algea not the only thing they dine on!!

 

[I'm a natural blue]

I have a torch with 7 heads now only 5 thanks to my emerald crab. Shortly after bringing it home and acclamation my emerald cream decided to snack on two of the heads ,I just happened to walk by my tank and witness him picking away so off to the refugium he went and now the torch is fine
Keep a eye on the crabs algea not the only thing they dine on!!

Thank you! They emeralds are new too.