Melanurus wrasse and a bunch of empty shells ???

[ShrimpDemolisher]

So I've had the Melanurus for a few months. I also added a bunch of inverts. But now there are a lot of empty Trochus and Nassarius shells in the corner of the tank. The ones that are alive are Abalones, Conchs, Pistol shrimp, Emerald crab, and a few Trochus. I've seen the Melanurus bite the snails from time to time, but the snails just quickly crawled into their shells and I assumed they were fine, though I wasn't sure if their flesh were damaged or no.

So is the Melanurus the murderer? My warer para is all good: nitrite - ammonia 0, nitrate 10ppm, pH 8.4, temp 79F. All fish and corals are well.

 

[Bryce M.]

Never kept one but going off of the nipping, it would probably flip them over and get in, just because they retreat doesn't mean they are safe

 

[ShrimpDemolisher]

Never kept one but going off of the nipping, it would probably flip them over and get in, just because they retreat doesn't mean they are safe

If so, I might have to take the Melanurus out. As much as I like the fish I can't have a tank without inverts :/

 

[Bryce M.]

If so, I might have to take the Melanurus out. As much as I like the fish I can't have a tank without inverts :/

Hey people keep fish that kill inverts in their reefs and just replenish them! it's not uncommon

 

[NanoDJS]

Its def them , I keep one for years , hes a full adult male and snails ect make it around 2 months tops they will also eat clams and he loves to spit sand into the most rare micromussa babies i have lol hes a trip and I wouldnt trade him for the world , the benifit he provides far outweighs the few snails I gotta replace every once and a while , how much do we spend on food ??? he just like his fresh lol ( eats everything also )