Who ate my trumpets (if that's what they're called?)

[All-in Salt Tank]

Hello! This is my first salt tank and I purchased most of the set-up including the live rock and fish from someone who was getting out of the hobby. I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with 2 things:

1. I can't recall what the purple soft grass-like growth is called on the rocks. I remember the seller saying something like purply polyp? I also don't know what is on the rock in the middle. I think some sort of trumpet? They're really neat and have a great glow when the lights go to blue light near bedtime.

2. Sadly...someone ate all of those little trumpets! Over the course of about 2-3 days, they've cleaned off every single one of them! I'm assuming they'll eventually grow back, but I'm not sure who ate them and if they could get sick. I have seen both my blue hippo tang and the dogface puffer nibbling several weeks ago, but nothing recently. Does this mean I may not be feeding them enough or is it just normal?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[TurboTang]

As far as I know, dog face puffers are not really reef safe. Sometimes you get lucky with em, but there is a high likelihood they will eventually sample something. In my experience tangs are very unlikely to touch coral.

 

[crazyfishmom]

The middle rock looks like palys or zoas. And unfortunately both the blue tang or the puffer may eat them. Yes, feeding more could potentially help them stop but some fish will just nibble. It depends on where your preferences are whether the fish or coral are more important to you and then you make decisions and figure out whether you regime the fish to save the coral. Best of luck!

 

[crazyfishmom]

As far as I know, dog face puffers are not really reef safe. Sometimes you get lucky with em, but there is a high likelihood they will eventually sample something. In my experience tangs are very unlikely to touch coral.

My blue hippo is a zoa lawnmower and likes to taste trachys and scolys. She’s awesome but not to be trusted around soft, meaty corals.

 

[TurboTang]

I don't doubt you. Can happen with blue tangs. But I doubt this is common behavior. At least I don't see a lot of complaints about it. Puffers on the other hand....

 

[crazyfishmom]

I don't doubt you. Can happen with blue tangs. But I doubt this is common behavior. At least I don't see a lot of complaints about it. Puffers on the other hand....

Absolutely.

 

[Tripod1404]

Hello! This is my first salt tank and I purchased most of the set-up including the live rock and fish from someone who was getting out of the hobby. I'm hoping someone might be able to help me with 2 things:

1. I can't recall what the purple soft grass-like growth is called on the rocks. I remember the seller saying something like purply polyp? I also don't know what is on the rock in the middle. I think some sort of trumpet? They're really neat and have a great glow when the lights go to blue light near bedtime.

2. Sadly...someone ate all of those little trumpets! Over the course of about 2-3 days, they've cleaned off every single one of them! I'm assuming they'll eventually grow back, but I'm not sure who ate them and if they could get sick. I have seen both my blue hippo tang and the dogface puffer nibbling several weeks ago, but nothing recently. Does this mean I may not be feeding them enough or is it just normal?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

They will not grow back.

 

[All-in Salt Tank]

The middle rock looks like palys or zoas. And unfortunately both the blue tang or the puffer may eat them. Yes, feeding more could potentially help them stop but some fish will just nibble. It depends on where your preferences are whether the fish or coral are more important to you and then you make decisions and figure out whether you regime the fish to save the coral. Best of luck!

Thanks! Sounds like the fish win! The coral came with the tank and, although it was cool, I really just want to focus on fish for now.

 

[All-in Salt Tank]

They will not grow back.

Bummer! May be a dumb question but why? There's nothing left on the rock that will re-grow?

 

[All-in Salt Tank]

Absolutely.

I'm thinking it was the puffer. I may never know but I really like the puffer better than the coral!

 

[All-in Salt Tank]

Not sure

My blue hippo is a zoa lawnmower and likes to taste trachys and scolys. She’s awesome but not to be trusted around soft, meaty cor

My blue hippo is a zoa lawnmower and likes to taste trachys and scolys. She’s awesome but not to be trusted around soft, meaty corals.

Thanks. I'm not sure Dorey is innocent! She's like a machine at feeding time and races around the tank gobbling up everything she can get like Mrs. PacMan!

 

[Tripod1404]

Bummer! May be a dumb question but why? There's nothing left on the rock that will re-grow?

Yeah, they will not regrow if nothing is left.

 

[All-in Salt Tank]

Here's a pic of what's left and who I think the culprit may be! She's smiling because she's nice and full!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hepatus or puffer my suspect. As a test, you can set your cell phone on video mode for about 40 mins and walk away - YOU MUST walk away as they know youre there. Review the video and see who it may be