Beware Of Elephant Ear

darren isaacs · 03/05/2006, 03:34 PM

To all you reefers out there please be aware of the soft coral
called [ELEPHANT EAR] you might know this but those who do not know,this is a PREDATOR and will eat certain fish e.g
i put two clown fish in my tank.i was observing the clowns and one of the clowns went in the elephants ear coral,and was nearly eaten.i have since found out,that this coral will imitate an anemone ,and when the clown fish enters the elephant ear,it will close up trap, and EAT the clown fish.so please be aware if you keep this coral and intend to put clown fish in with this coral, i would advise you ,not to keep clown fish IF you have the above coral in your tank. DARREN

PatMayo · 03/05/2006, 04:51 PM

To Reef Central

Do you know what the scientific name of this coral is?

Regards,

Pat

Senn · 03/05/2006, 05:39 PM

Amplexidiscus fenestrafer

spidey07 · 03/05/2006, 06:33 PM

Thanks for the warning.

It is an anenome technically (Corallimorphian, hope I didn't butcher that spelling too bad) and eats fish whole. I have a fairly large one that gets about as big as a large bread plate, so far hasn't eaten anything.

found a decent link for you...

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...002/invert.htm

bertoni · 03/05/2006, 07:12 PM

Corallimorpharian is the word. That's a well-known fish eater.

dr.darkness · 03/05/2006, 07:56 PM

Ha mine ate a fire shimp along with some other fish,got some cool pics though sorry I cant post pics my computer sucks.Oh btw I got rid of it.

KEITHMC · 03/06/2006, 08:15 AM

not sure if these are what is being called elephant ear but these will murder your poor lil clowns doing nothin but looking for a good home. wife saw the clown swim in to it thought it was too cute took some pictures and called me to come see and in less than 2 mins in the mushroom the clown was dead when i got him out.... the mushrooms have been banished to the pet store!!

KEITHMC · 03/06/2006, 08:20 AM

These mushrooms were only 2-3 inches in dia.

techigirl78 · 03/06/2006, 08:45 AM

Do those close up like that when you feed them?

KEITHMC · 03/06/2006, 08:52 AM

i normally dont feed them but they do tend to ball up on lighting changes but the 2 ball up in response to the clown fish

Sk8r · 03/06/2006, 06:25 PM

Lost several fish to one of those before I figured out what it was doing it: its last victim (before it went back to the store) was a 4 inch long lawnmower blenny. And it was only 2-3 inches across, until it ballooned.

YoungReefer06 · 03/06/2006, 06:33 PM

Yes, the little murderers will eat alot of things, some of the most common are manderian dragonets and clown gobies. These fish just swim around a little, then decide to take a rest on what they believe is just a perfect spot, then....BOOM, they get eatin.

-Kyle

BurntOutReefer · 03/07/2006, 01:09 PM

surprised the poster didn't know this when he got them.....

cfarrow2 · 03/07/2006, 02:16 PM

Maybe the picture was a little off, but how do you tell those from mushrooms?

mokamm · 03/07/2006, 02:37 PM

I am fairly new to the hobby and did not know this. I have some green metallic mushrooms, Rhodactis sp. I have not "target fed" but they are flourishing. I read the link submitted by spidey07. I also have some small purple mushrooms, and orange ricordia. I have a skooter blenny, two clowns, and a firefish. Do I need to be concerned with one of these mushrooms eating my fish? The pics above look like they may be what I have.

spidey07 · 03/07/2006, 02:44 PM

Mokamm,

You may have cause for concern with the Rhodactis sp. depending on how big it is (can it fit around a small fish like your blenny/dragonet). Others are no harm.

mokamm · 03/07/2006, 02:51 PM

Spidey, Thanks for the info and advice.

The metallic green mushrooms are pretty big and my blenny is medium sized. I have had both for about 4 months now. I will take them back to the LFS. Been there done that. It is a tough way to learn, but better that than it eating my blenny who I just love! He is one of the brightest scooter blennies I have seen. I already took back a sally lightfoot because it went after him. Live and learn!!!!

spidey07 · 03/07/2006, 03:03 PM

I had an awesome bi-color blenny. He jumped out of the tank after being happy for 8 months.

I always wonder if he hung around my rhodactis and got spooked.

woofyitalian · 03/07/2006, 03:13 PM

Mokamm/Spidey,
Are we talking about the hairy metallic type mushroom? I had rock with several on it and it was kind of close to my hammer (I had no idea the hammer would be so huge when it filled up...) and I guess the hammer stung the shrooms and all but one died. That single one is huge now though (maybe 4-4.5 in in diameter)... Do I need to worry about this? It kind of overlaps a purple mushroom rock and a nice sized leather (both of which my perc clown has been hosting on - it's very cool to watch.) I've never seen it snap shut or really move except for getting a little smaller when the lights are off... Am I talking about a different type of mushroom or the same? I'm not sure how to get a picture on here, but there's a picture of it in my profile. It's right behind the leather and is much bigger now (and there's just one of them...)

KEITHMC · 03/08/2006, 08:15 AM

they dont snap shut at least not the ones that ate my clowns they close to a ball with a small opening and the fish swims in and then the hole closes

mokamm · 03/08/2006, 08:49 AM

woofy, It's a little difficult to tell, but looks the same as mine. I spoke to the owner of a local LFS who was more than happy to let me trade mine in, but he did not think it was necessary (I did not buy it at that LFS). I have tried to target feed my mushrooms, but they do not close over the food before the food drifts away. Keithmc indicates that the concern would be that once the mushroom "ballooned" or started to, a fish could swim in. I have a BTA that host my clows, so my only concern was my blenny. I have never seen him hang around my metallics (been together at least 4 or 5 months), so I think I will leave my tank as it is. Any other ideas/experiences?

03/05/2006, 03:34 PM	#1
darren isaacs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: redruth Posts: 1	Beware Of Elephant Ear To all you reefers out there please be aware of the soft coral called [ELEPHANT EAR] you might know this but those who do not know,this is a PREDATOR and will eat certain fish e.g i put two clown fish in my tank.i was observing the clowns and one of the clowns went in the elephants ear coral,and was nearly eaten.i have since found out,that this coral will imitate an anemone ,and when the clown fish enters the elephant ear,it will close up trap, and EAT the clown fish.so please be aware if you keep this coral and intend to put clown fish in with this coral, i would advise you ,not to keep clown fish IF you have the above coral in your tank. DARREN

03/05/2006, 04:51 PM	#2
PatMayo Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,843	*To Reef Central* Do you know what the scientific name of this coral is? Regards, Pat __________________ 90 AGA Megaflow (Setup 1-24-06) 120 Lbs. Liverock EuroReef RS 100 Skimmer 2 X 150 MH 2 X 96 watt PC Actinic 2 Clarki Clowns (31 months old) 1 Niger Trigger (Owned 6 months) 2 Tunze 6055 PH Current Tank Info: 90 AGA Megaflow To Be Mixed Reef

03/05/2006, 05:39 PM	#3
Senn Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Worldly Posts: 601	Amplexidiscus fenestrafer __________________ I hate to advocate drugs, alchohol, violence, and insanity to anyone, but it WORKS for me. Hunter S. Thompson YEAHHHHHHHHH BOYYYYYEEEEE!!!!!! Chris Current Tank Info: Rectangular

03/05/2006, 07:12 PM	#5
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Corallimorpharian is the word. That's a well-known fish eater. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

03/05/2006, 07:56 PM	#6
dr.darkness Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: bay area,ca Posts: 346	Ha mine ate a fire shimp along with some other fish,got some cool pics though sorry I cant post pics my computer sucks.Oh btw I got rid of it. __________________ "I don't care who you think you are, when it comes down to it you're just another piece of meat to a serial killer" - William Dan Current Tank Info: 85g reef/12g nano

03/05/2006, 06:33 PM	#4
spidey07 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 562	Thanks for the warning. It is an anenome technically (Corallimorphian, hope I didn't butcher that spelling too bad) and eats fish whole. I have a fairly large one that gets about as big as a large bread plate, so far hasn't eaten anything. found a decent link for you... http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...002/invert.htm

03/06/2006, 08:15 AM	#7
KEITHMC Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 151	not sure if these are what is being called elephant ear but these will murder your poor lil clowns doing nothin but looking for a good home. wife saw the clown swim in to it thought it was too cute took some pictures and called me to come see and in less than 2 mins in the mushroom the clown was dead when i got him out.... the mushrooms have been banished to the pet store!!

03/06/2006, 08:20 AM	#8
KEITHMC Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 151	These mushrooms were only 2-3 inches in dia.

03/06/2006, 08:45 AM	#9
techigirl78 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,739	Do those close up like that when you feed them?

03/06/2006, 08:52 AM	#10
KEITHMC Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 151	i normally dont feed them but they do tend to ball up on lighting changes but the 2 ball up in response to the clown fish

03/06/2006, 06:25 PM	#11
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Lost several fish to one of those before I figured out what it was doing it: its last victim (before it went back to the store) was a 4 inch long lawnmower blenny. And it was only 2-3 inches across, until it ballooned. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/06/2006, 06:33 PM	#12
YoungReefer06 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Eastern Shore Posts: 285	Yes, the little murderers will eat alot of things, some of the most common are manderian dragonets and clown gobies. These fish just swim around a little, then decide to take a rest on what they believe is just a perfect spot, then....BOOM, they get eatin. -Kyle

03/07/2006, 01:09 PM	#13
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	surprised the poster didn't know this when he got them.....

03/07/2006, 02:16 PM	#14
cfarrow2 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 626	Maybe the picture was a little off, but how do you tell those from mushrooms? __________________ Happiness is contagious. What are you spreading? Current Tank Info: 55 gal. 216 W. T5s. Wet/dry sump w/ Mag 5 return. Softies, 3 fish, shrimp, urchin. HA factory for the time being.

03/07/2006, 02:37 PM	#15
mokamm Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 24	I am fairly new to the hobby and did not know this. I have some green metallic mushrooms, Rhodactis sp. I have not "target fed" but they are flourishing. I read the link submitted by spidey07. I also have some small purple mushrooms, and orange ricordia. I have a skooter blenny, two clowns, and a firefish. Do I need to be concerned with one of these mushrooms eating my fish? The pics above look like they may be what I have.

03/07/2006, 02:44 PM	#16
spidey07 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 562	Mokamm, You may have cause for concern with the Rhodactis sp. depending on how big it is (can it fit around a small fish like your blenny/dragonet). Others are no harm.

03/07/2006, 02:51 PM	#17
mokamm Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 24	Spidey, Thanks for the info and advice. The metallic green mushrooms are pretty big and my blenny is medium sized. I have had both for about 4 months now. I will take them back to the LFS. Been there done that. It is a tough way to learn, but better that than it eating my blenny who I just love! He is one of the brightest scooter blennies I have seen. I already took back a sally lightfoot because it went after him. Live and learn!!!!

03/07/2006, 03:03 PM	#18
spidey07 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 562	I had an awesome bi-color blenny. He jumped out of the tank after being happy for 8 months. I always wonder if he hung around my rhodactis and got spooked.

03/07/2006, 03:13 PM	#19
woofyitalian Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Phila, PA Posts: 81	Mokamm/Spidey, Are we talking about the hairy metallic type mushroom? I had rock with several on it and it was kind of close to my hammer (I had no idea the hammer would be so huge when it filled up...) and I guess the hammer stung the shrooms and all but one died. That single one is huge now though (maybe 4-4.5 in in diameter)... Do I need to worry about this? It kind of overlaps a purple mushroom rock and a nice sized leather (both of which my perc clown has been hosting on - it's very cool to watch.) I've never seen it snap shut or really move except for getting a little smaller when the lights are off... Am I talking about a different type of mushroom or the same? I'm not sure how to get a picture on here, but there's a picture of it in my profile. It's right behind the leather and is much bigger now (and there's just one of them...)

03/08/2006, 08:15 AM	#20
KEITHMC Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Arkansas Posts: 151	they dont snap shut at least not the ones that ate my clowns they close to a ball with a small opening and the fish swims in and then the hole closes

03/08/2006, 08:49 AM	#21
mokamm Moved On Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 24	woofy, It's a little difficult to tell, but looks the same as mine. I spoke to the owner of a local LFS who was more than happy to let me trade mine in, but he did not think it was necessary (I did not buy it at that LFS). I have tried to target feed my mushrooms, but they do not close over the food before the food drifts away. Keithmc indicates that the concern would be that once the mushroom "ballooned" or started to, a fish could swim in. I have a BTA that host my clows, so my only concern was my blenny. I have never seen him hang around my metallics (been together at least 4 or 5 months), so I think I will leave my tank as it is. Any other ideas/experiences?