Anyone have a Foxface that ate SPS?

Dano999 · 11/30/2008, 12:30 AM

I have had a few occasions in the last few months where a piece of coral would be stripped over night. The first time was a few month ago with a slimer. The area that's stripped is easily accessible as the back areas are untouched. Below are a few pictures.

The first is the slimer which grew back after a few weeks.

This happened over night.

After a few weeks

The next two piece happened over a three day period.

This is the first one that was stripped over two nights. These pictures were taken tonight one hour after the lights went out.

Close up. A lot off Amphipods (cleaning off the dead tissue??) but no indication of other pests.

Second piece happened last night. Same situation. It turned brown later today.

Close up

I am suspecting one of my fish may be eating the coral. I have seen the Foxface nip at the slimer once very briefly during the day.

The other inhabitants include.

Two Tank Bred Ocellaris Clownfish
Watanabei Angelfish - Genicanthus watanabei
Powder Brown Tang
A few Blue legged and scarlet hermits
A bristle star (hitch hiked a year ago)
The usual cleaner snails

Nothing new added for over a month.

Any comments would be appreciated.

pledosophy · 11/30/2008, 12:46 AM

My foxface picks at my SPS once and awhile, bit nothing close to that severe. Just more of the breif encounters like the ones you've mentioned.

returnofsid · 11/30/2008, 04:56 AM

I have a one spot foxface, spotted rabbit and vergate rabbit, all in separate aquariums, all tanks have SPS, although the tank with the spotted only has a couple. The tank with the vergate is nothing but sps. I've never had any problems at all. HOWEVER, I do have a friend who's foxface, that she's had for several years, recently decided it liked Zoanthids. In one day, it ate ALL of her MANY Zoanthids.

I know this doesn't answer your question, but thought I'd throw it out there.

falco · 11/30/2008, 06:47 AM

I just sold my magnificent foxface because after 4 years decided to start nipping on my SPS, LPS and Clams. I noticed that as he got bigger he was more daring.

snorvich · 11/30/2008, 07:08 AM

As they get larger, the probability increases. If they are not very well fed, the probability increases even more.

Dano999 · 11/30/2008, 12:52 PM

No new damage last night that I can tell. I think I will make sure I do a feeding an hour before the lights go out.

Gdevine · 11/30/2008, 04:08 PM

I've had my one spot for almost 2 years and he's done nothing like that (fingers crossed). Yea, some nipping here and there but nothing really to speak about. I do feed him nori everyday as they are grazers and this seems to keep him well fed or occupied along with what I feed the tank twice a day as well.

11/30/2008, 12:30 AM	#1
Dano999 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 640	Anyone have a Foxface that ate SPS? I have had a few occasions in the last few months where a piece of coral would be stripped over night. The first time was a few month ago with a slimer. The area that's stripped is easily accessible as the back areas are untouched. Below are a few pictures. The first is the slimer which grew back after a few weeks. This happened over night. After a few weeks The next two piece happened over a three day period. This is the first one that was stripped over two nights. These pictures were taken tonight one hour after the lights went out. Close up. A lot off Amphipods (cleaning off the dead tissue??) but no indication of other pests. Second piece happened last night. Same situation. It turned brown later today. Close up I am suspecting one of my fish may be eating the coral. I have seen the Foxface nip at the slimer once very briefly during the day. The other inhabitants include. Two Tank Bred Ocellaris Clownfish Watanabei Angelfish - Genicanthus watanabei Powder Brown Tang A few Blue legged and scarlet hermits A bristle star (hitch hiked a year ago) The usual cleaner snails Nothing new added for over a month. Any comments would be appreciated. __________________ Dano The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. Current Tank Info: 90g, 35 gal Sump/Fuge, IceCap VHO T-5, Reef Octopus Extreme 160, Dual Vortech MP40Ws Last edited by Dano999; 11/30/2008 at 12:36 AM.

11/30/2008, 12:46 AM	#2
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	My foxface picks at my SPS once and awhile, bit nothing close to that severe. Just more of the breif encounters like the ones you've mentioned. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

11/30/2008, 06:47 AM	#4
falco Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 138	I just sold my magnificent foxface because after 4 years decided to start nipping on my SPS, LPS and Clams. I noticed that as he got bigger he was more daring. __________________ A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. -Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 210 mixed reef

11/30/2008, 07:08 AM	#5
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	As they get larger, the probability increases. If they are not very well fed, the probability increases even more. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

11/30/2008, 12:52 PM	#6
Dano999 Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 640	No new damage last night that I can tell. I think I will make sure I do a feeding an hour before the lights go out. __________________ Dano The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. Current Tank Info: 90g, 35 gal Sump/Fuge, IceCap VHO T-5, Reef Octopus Extreme 160, Dual Vortech MP40Ws

11/30/2008, 04:56 AM	#3
returnofsid Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,852	I have a one spot foxface, spotted rabbit and vergate rabbit, all in separate aquariums, all tanks have SPS, although the tank with the spotted only has a couple. The tank with the vergate is nothing but sps. I've never had any problems at all. HOWEVER, I do have a friend who's foxface, that she's had for several years, recently decided it liked Zoanthids. In one day, it ate ALL of her MANY Zoanthids. I know this doesn't answer your question, but thought I'd throw it out there.

11/30/2008, 04:08 PM	#7
Gdevine Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 1,232	I've had my one spot for almost 2 years and he's done nothing like that (fingers crossed). Yea, some nipping here and there but nothing really to speak about. I do feed him nori everyday as they are grazers and this seems to keep him well fed or occupied along with what I feed the tank twice a day as well. __________________ What's good having a monkey if you can't play with it? Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef - 35g Fuge - EcoSystem Method