Something is eating my toadstool

[LeslieS]

At first I thought it was being stung by the frogspawn so I moved it to the other side of the tank. The problem persists. Something is biting the little fingers off the toadstool. Any ideas what it is and how to stop it? The toadstool never fully fluffs up anymore because he is so irritated.

As usual, sorry for the horrid pic. I spent the new camera money shopping

 

[reefman]

it may be a protozoa infection.(pardon my spellin)
try doing iodoine dips

 

[LeslieS]

Any recommendation on which iodine dip to use?

 

[Deanos]

Lugol's

 

[ShaunW]

What fish are in your tank?

 

[Hotwheels]

My toadstool was experience the same, no polyps blooming. i moved him around a bit and now he ok. could be his location. My toadstool is low and not in any direct flow.

So moving him might help

 

[LeslieS]

I will try moving him again to help with the polyping.

The fish in my tank are:
neon goby
yellow clown goby
lawn mower blenny
3 convict blenny

I also have:
2 emerald crabs
12 scarlet hermits
2 urchins (although I only had one when the problem started)
Very large serpent star

I will try the lugols as well, but those are some fast protozoa. Sometimes, the whole little finger will be gone from night to morning!

 

[ShaunW]

I would watch the neon goby.

From what you are describing something is eating them, .

 

[LeslieS]

After 3 weeks, I finally caught him in the act! It was Brutus the emerald crab!! :-(

He grabbed the finger with his pinchers and ripped it right in half and then started picking at it. The poor toady was releasing all sorts of brownish fluid. I used scissors to remove the newly damaged tissue and moved him again, but that will only be a temporary fix I am sure.

He can be such a jerk. He sleeps in the gorgonians and breaks off their arms to make a more comfortable spot for himself. Now this!!!

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

After 3 weeks, I finally caught him in the act! It was Brutus the emerald crab!! :-(

He grabbed the finger with his pinchers and ripped it right in half and then started picking at it. The poor toady was releasing all sorts of brownish fluid. I used scissors to remove the newly damaged tissue and moved him again, but that will only be a temporary fix I am sure.

He can be such a jerk. He sleeps in the gorgonians and breaks off their arms to make a more comfortable spot for himself. Now this!!!

I hear you. Hey you are not alone. Read this
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/general-discussion/18864-sps-eating-crab.html

 

[ShaunW]

After 3 weeks, I finally caught him in the act! It was Brutus the emerald crab!! :-(

Brutus is such a BAD CRAB! Banishment to the sump would be the only recourse from here, IMO, and here I was accusing the poor neon goby.

My apologies, .

 

[jhale]

sorry it is the crab

he never picked on anything in my tank, but I did not have any leathers

 

[LeslieS]

I am giving Brutus one more chance - he is a pain but has a ton of personality. If he is misbehaving and you walk over to the tank, he will stand on his back legs and wave his claws like King Kong

NP Jhale He actually eats bubble algae so he is earning his keep!

 

[bergerd]

I thought the emerald crabs would be good for algae when I first started. One grew so big and bold that s/he had no qualms about eating coral, gargonlum and even the small fish. No more emerald crabs or reef "safe" lobsters in my tank. I am even afraid to get a sallylightfoot. Crabs can be so unpredictable. My guess is your crab will not be reformed! Sorry. David

 

[jhale]

Leslie you can always give him a time out in the fuge.
that will learn him

 

[DonCisco]

that will learn him

and I thought my grammar was bad? maybe that will "TEACH" him? I don't know... call me Mr Buttinsky....but either way. Best of luck with your lil monster Leslie.:splitspin

 

[Aqua Pro Builder]

I thought the emerald crabs would be good for algae when I first started. One grew so big and bold that s/he had no qualms about eating coral, gargonlum and even the small fish. No more emerald crabs or reef "safe" lobsters in my tank. I am even afraid to get a sallylightfoot. Crabs can be so unpredictable. My guess is your crab will not be reformed! Sorry. David

I think most animals become some what psycho under captive environment-too little food, too much food, drastic changes of environement, friends and fo that have never been seen in their life before just to name a few. My CBB think that the tentacles of flame scallope are aptasia!

 

[jhale]

and I thought my grammar was bad? maybe that will "TEACH" him? I don't know... call me Mr Buttinsky....but either way. Best of luck with your lil monster Leslie.:splitspin

Mr Buttinsky :smash: It's a joke :yo: :wink1:.