Peppermint shrimp and my duncan frag?

[nopenotpeter]

I've got my first corals today. My Duncan frag has been opening up great until a few minutes ago. My peppermint shrimp decided to start eating it/something off it to which this red mucus appeared and it closed itself back up. I'm guessing this is a defensive mucus? I've read that peppermint shrimp tend to eat dying flesh off of the corals, but I'm concerned it's actually eating the coral itself. Thoughts?

 

[maleks.reef]

I dont think ive heard of peppermints eating duncans. I think it might be that the shrimp simply irritated it, which is common and nothing to worry about. Keep an eye on it and see how it progresses. How long has it been retracted? If it is what I think it is, it should be back to normal within an hour.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Peppermint shrimp will eat corals if not enough food for them

 

[LeeLoo Lola]

I’ve heard that too, but I had a newly added peppermint shrimp kill two very established RFAs within two days of being in the tank. I have one left that isn’t near where it hangs out. Once I get a hold of that sucker, it will be in the sump and I’ll get more RFAs.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I’ve heard that too, but I had a newly added peppermint shrimp kill two very established RFAs within two days of being in the tank. I have one left that isn’t near where it hangs out. Once I get a hold of that sucker, it will be in the sump and I’ll get more RFAs.

They eat anemones lol yes that includes aptasia but sadly also everything else mine ate a BTA before is was sentenced to 1000 years sump

 

[nopenotpeter]

I dont think ive heard of peppermints eating duncans. I think it might be that the shrimp simply irritated it, which is common and nothing to worry about. Keep an eye on it and see how it progresses. How long has it been retracted? If it is what I think it is, it should be back to normal within an hour.

Thanks for the quick reply! This literally happened minutes ago, and the top of the duncan is already starting to open up. Though I was just concerned about if it will continue to eat it or not.

Peppermint shrimp will eat corals if not enough food for them

It usually gets some of the flakes that fall to the ground so I'm not sure how much he should be getting. Should I supplement it with something?

 

[nightster]

Pretty sure the red mucus your referring to is waste being released by the duncan. If you feed it regularly they'll do this from time to time. Possibly could be releasing also bc its new to your tank. I bet it'll be fully extended in no time. Good Luck!

 

[nopenotpeter]

Pretty sure the red mucus your referring to is waste being released by the duncan. If you feed it regularly they'll do this from time to time. Possibly could be releasing also bc its new to your tank. I bet it'll be fully extended in no time. Good Luck!

I appreciate it! I wanted to mention that these corals are literally 3 hours old in this tank. It very well could just be cleaning them though just don't want to wake up with the coral dead

 

[dvgyfresh]

I appreciate it! I wanted to mention that these corals are literally 3 hours old in this tank. It very well could just be cleaning them though just don't want to wake up with the coral dead

They have been known to eat corals before , maybe feed it soem extra pellets so it doesn’t get any ideas

 

[vetteguy53081]

I trust a politician more than I trust Peppermints, emeralds crabs and worms
Not surprised to see

 

[nopenotpeter]

So just as an update - I decided to go to the LFS and get their opinions as well. They mirrored a lot of what ya'll said, but he recommended trying algae wafers. Since they were only like $3.50 I picked some up and dropped one in front of the hole he usually hides in. He came out, grabbed it, and pulled it back into his hole. Hopefully that will keep him full (or at least enough to leave my dang corals alone).

Thanks again for all the feed back, this forum is so helpful!