What's Eating my Corals???

[Just started reefing]

This is my first post. I need help..

All of the sudden having a rash of what I think is a mushroom, my Ricordea, and zoes being eaten and several fish "disappearing". It's happening after the lights go out. Most of the ricordea are on the bottom but my Mushroom is growing on the overflow wall 1/2 way up the tank and the zoes are also off the bottom.

The inhabitants of the tank are
two engineer gobies about 8in long
two Percular Clowns
a pinstripe Melanurus Wrasse (it's new)
a PJ cardnial
a Royal Gramma
two dotty backs.
a Coral Banded Shrimp
a Conch
two Neon Blue banded crabs
two Emerald crabs
a Tuxedo Urchin.

Could any of the above be the culprit? If not, what could it be?

I have a 65gl with lots of live rock (been in the tank for 15 years), a Fluvel Sea light, sump and skimmer.. The tank was established as a fish only for almost 15 years before I started dabbling in corals this year.

 

[BostonReefer300]

Fish disappearing? What size and how many and when? Based on what you've written, the first thing that came to mind was that you have a bobbit worm in your tank that's finally gotten big enough that he's hunting fish

 

[Just started reefing]

Fish disappearing? What size and how many and when? Based on what you've written, the first thing that came to mind was that you have a bobbit worm in your tank that's finally gotten big enough that he's hunting fish

Not sure when they all disappeared. Most in the last 6 months.

Bicolor Blenny
Royal Gramma
Saddle Valentini Puffer
lawnmower Blenny
scooter blend

These two in the last 2 weeks.
coral beauty
bicolor angle

My coral started disappearing in March. Mostly the Ricordea, and zoes. in-between the fish disappearing.

​

 

[Jekyl]

Welcome to R2R! What additions to the tank around the time the losses started occurring?
#reefsquad

 

[Just started reefing]

Welcome to R2R! What additions to the tank around the time the losses started occurring?
#reefsquad

only coral frags, I dipped before placing in my tank. I've also lost 2 cleaner shrimp as well as all the others.

 

[Just started reefing]

Not sure when they all disappeared. Most in the last 6 months.

Bicolor Blenny
Royal Gramma
Saddle Valentini Puffer
lawnmower Blenny
scooter blend

These two in the last 2 weeks.
coral beauty
bicolor angle

My coral started disappearing in March. Mostly the Ricordea, and zoes. in-between the fish disappearing.

I've also lost 2 cleaner shrimp as well.

​

 

[Jekyl]

only coral frags, I dipped before placing in my tank. I've also lost 2 cleaner shrimp as well as all the others.

Parameters and lighting being used? When you say disappearing, does that mean shriveled up or gone over night?

 

[dvgyfresh]

Can you look under rocks? Could possibly be a bobbit worm

 

[Just started reefing]

Parameters and lighting being used? When you say disappearing, does that mean shriveled up or gone over night?

Like I said, I'm very new to this, can you explain what parameters are you asking for? also the light is a Fluvel Sea light. I have it on from 11am to midnight.

 

[Just started reefing]

Like I said, I'm very new to this, can you explain what parameters are you asking for? also the light is a Fluvel Sea light. I have it on from 11am to midnight.

and by disappearing I mean they are there on day and gone next. not to be seen again....

 

[Jekyl]

Like I said, I'm very new to this, can you explain what parameters are you asking for? also the light is a Fluvel Sea light. I have it on from 11am to midnight.

General parameters that have to be measured to keep coral are:
Alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, calcium and magnesium.
I recommend salifert test kits.
Also that light may not be enough for coral, I would do some research on it.

 

[Jekyl]

General parameters that have to be measured to keep coral are:
Alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate, calcium and magnesium.
I recommend salifert test kits.
Also that light may not be enough for coral, I would do some research on it.

If not wanting to spend the money for test kits right now then taking a sample to your LFS to be tested will work.

 

[Just started reefing]

Can you look under rocks? Could possibly be a bobbit worm

 

[Just started reefing]

Here is my tank, as you can see I would have to totally destroy my tank to look under the rocks since they are not glued together. Is there some kind of a trap I could use to catch the worm if that's what it is?

 

[Jekyl]

Here is my tank, as you can see I would have to totally destroy my tank to look under the rocks since they are not glued together. Is there some kind of a trap I could use to catch the worm if that's what it is?

Step one would be checking your parameters. If worried about an invasive pest I would try to find it with a flashlight a few hours after the lights go out.

 

[Just started reefing]

and by disappearing I mean they are there on day and gone next. not to be seen again....

I have test kits, I just don't understand which parameters your needing? Calcium, Salinity, Temp?

 

[Jekyl]

I have test kits, I just don't understand which parameters your needing? Calcium, Salinity, Temp?

Alkalinity, nitrate, phosphate would be the top priority. As well as making sure salinity is correct using a calibrated tester. Calcium and magnesium also helpful.

 

[Jekyl]

Using RoDi water or tap water?

 

[Just started reefing]

ok.. please forgive me if I ask a lot of questions, I'm trying to learn all I can about keeping corals. The test kit I have is a API Reef Master kit and here are the reading I just took.

Nitrates - 0
Phosphates 1.o
Calcium 380
KH 314
Alkalinity - not in kit
magnesium - not in kit
Salinity 1.022
Temp 77.5

 

[Just started reefing]

Using RoDi water or tap water?

Have always used tap water