Acro bite marks

[nogascans]

I have what I believe is a tort, a piece raised from 1" frag about 5 months old. Growth and color seem good. I came home last night to one of the lower "nubs" completely broken off. Tonight i came home to more of the same, all at the lower part of coral. I also remembered that a nearby green Slimer had what I thought was some weird growth on tips, but I believe now that they are actually bite marks. So question is, is this the result of a crab? I know that I have at least one emerald, possibly two. I never see them during daylight.
Picture attached. ID appreciated. Sorry for bad cell phone shot. Notice lower left radialite missing.



Sincerely,

David

 

[GhostCon1]

I have what I believe is a tort, a piece raised from 1" frag about 5 months old. Growth and color seem good. I came home last night to one of the lower "nubs" completely broken off. Tonight i came home to more of the same, all at the lower part of coral. I also remembered that a nearby green Slimer had what I thought was some weird growth on tips, but I believe now that they are actually bite marks. So question is, is this the result of a crab? I know that I have at least one emerald, possibly two. I never see them during daylight.
Picture attached. ID appreciated. Sorry for bad cell phone shot. Notice lower left radialite missing.

Sincerely,

David

What other livestock do you have? I've never witnessed emeralds have the strength to break off a branch. Try to peer in at night to see if maybe you have an unwanted hitchhiker.

Also, someone I recognize from my club! :bounce1:

 

[nogascans]

Welcome neighbor. Well tank roster includes:

Blue Hippo Tang
Scopas Tang
Pair of Bangaii Cardinals
Pair of Orange Skunks
Royal Gramma
Lyretail Anthia
Yellow Wrasse
Leopard Wrasse
Blue legged hermits
Red legged hermits
Asst snails
Cleaner Shrimp
Couple of crabs (I think, not seen in while) supposed to be emerald, but one was pretty hairy last viewing. I actually think the emeralds got eaten.

Sincerely,

David

 

[GhostCon1]

Hmm, my bet would be on one of those crabs. Is it Possible you got a gorilla crab?

 

[nogascans]

I would say its a possibility. If so, been there a long while.

Wondering why the sudden change in appetite?

Might be one of my acan colonies seems in decline.

Guess its time to break out the red light. If I don't get to it tonight, have to wait until early Saturday morning, as HS Football playoffs tomorrow night.

Go Wayne County Yellow Jackets.

Sincerely,

David

 

[GhostCon1]

Gorilla crabs get a wider appetite the older they get, so that could be it.

Go Cats

 

[Outdrsyguy1]

I had a red mithrax crab that broke off the tips of my new growth staghorn coral. That tort looks harder but I did catch mine in the act. I believe they are the same family as emerald crabs.