AEFW- maybe no natural predator???

[nashorn]

Is it possible that there are no natural predators?
Researchers seem to find only 2-3 worm in wild colony and only on certain types of SPS. If true then are there enough AEFW to support a predator that feeds only on them?

I was wondering maybe just the wave action keeps them in check.

1) They seem to be are to swim after hatching from the eggs but I'm sure many don't land on sps coral or the wrong type of coral in the wild.
2) If they land too far they expend all their energy finding the right SPS. AEFW seem to prefer certain types. Land on any other corals they maybe food.
3) Once in the current then AEFW are food for something else. (safe when on sps because of camo and many predator may not waste time looking for them, not much of a meal)

I'm sure right after I write this someone going to find a AEFW nud like berghia for aptisa making me feel like an idiot. And I Hope so.....:beer:

 

[sahin]

Two things suggest to me that there has to be a natural predator out there:

1. They are very prolific in our tanks

2. In maricultured stock they are also highly prevalent; most of these facilities are away from the general reef location; ie away from the location where their predators are located. I've spoken to one of the biggest mariculture importer in the UK; this guys brings in stuff for a lot of the stores in London...he said that with some facilities he gets acros coming in with very high numbers of AEFW's...and over time has chosen to import from those facilities that have much lower occassions of AEFW.

[Incidently, if you watch one of the YT videos on mariculture facilities, you will see that algae growth is a BIG problem. Why? Because there are no species present in those areas to control algae growth (of course site may have issues with being close to high nutrient areas, but overall, without the herbivorous population, algae growth on the maritulcure coral bases is a huge problem).]

I used to, as part of my Ecology degree, program and model simulations of populations for many different animals...and one of the variables which had a very large impact on population dynamics was: PREDATION. Without predation populations can increase exponentially (unless FOOD or DISEASE became a limiting factor). So what I'm saying is that the pattern of population growth suggests to me that there has to be a predator or two out there that keeps AEFW number in check in the wild.

 

[alessandro]

Two things suggest to me that there has to be a natural predator out there:

1. They are very prolific in our tanks

2. In maricultured stock they are also highly prevalent; most of these facilities are away from the general reef location; ie away from the location where their predators are located. I've spoken to one of the biggest mariculture importer in the UK; this guys brings in stuff for a lot of the stores in London...he said that with some facilities he gets acros coming in with very high numbers of AEFW's...and over time has chosen to import from those facilities that have much lower occassions of AEFW.

[Incidently, if you watch one of the YT videos on mariculture facilities, you will see that algae growth is a BIG problem. Why? Because there are no species present in those areas to control algae growth (of course site may have issues with being close to high nutrient areas, but overall, without the herbivorous population, algae growth on the maritulcure coral bases is a huge problem).]

I used to, as part of my Ecology degree, program and model simulations of populations for many different animals...and one of the variables which had a very large impact on population dynamics was: PREDATION. Without predation populations can increase exponentially (unless FOOD or DISEASE became a limiting factor). So what I'm saying is that the pattern of population growth suggests to me that there has to be a predator or two out there that keeps AEFW number in check in the wild.

I agree 100%

 

[trueblackpercula]

+1 on the above something is eating them in the wild

 

[jayball]

Is it possible that there are no natural predators?
Researchers seem to find only 2-3 worm in wild colony and only on certain types of SPS. If true then are there enough AEFW to support a predator that feeds only on them?

I was wondering maybe just the wave action keeps them in check.

1) They seem to be are to swim after hatching from the eggs but I'm sure many don't land on sps coral or the wrong type of coral in the wild.
2) If they land too far they expend all their energy finding the right SPS. AEFW seem to prefer certain types. Land on any other corals they maybe food.
3) Once in the current then AEFW are food for something else. (safe when on sps because of camo and many predator may not waste time looking for them, not much of a meal)

I'm sure right after I write this someone going to find a AEFW nud like berghia for aptisa making me feel like an idiot. And I Hope so.....:beer:

While there are likely no obligate predators, like the berghia and aptasia refrence, of the AEFW there are probably many opportunistic predators. If there is a food source in the ocean than something will exploit it.

Edit: although if you find one and can make it reproduce than you will make a killing with the sales.

 

[ormet]

There is a well known predator of AEFW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ck9pGCOJJQ

Its just one problem. they also like to eat the coral when all AEFW and eggs are finished.

 

[Redrosetuscan]

I agree with sahin.

I'm yet to see aefw on oz or fiji acros, but plenty on Maris.

Interestingly in my tank the oz and fiji acros don't seem to get aefw on them, apart from one poorly spatulatha none have had them, the indo bits though seem to attract them. I even wondered if it was something geological. I won't speak too soon though :hmm6: that said I keep well on top of the little buggers.

 

[ormet]

I agree with sahin.

I'm yet to see aefw on oz or fiji acros, but plenty on Maris.

Interestingly in my tank the oz and fiji acros don't seem to get aefw on them, apart from one poorly spatulatha none have had them, the indo bits though seem to attract them. I even wondered if it was something geological. I won't speak too soon though :hmm6: that said I keep well on top of the little buggers.

Dr Rawlinson made her scientific description of AEFW on specimens found on Acropora on the Great Barrier Reef.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/acropora-eating-flatworms-discovered-in-the-wild

 

[trueblackpercula]

Dr Rawlinson made her scientific description of AEFW on specimens found on Acropora on the Great Barrier Reef.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/acropora-eating-flatworms-discovered-in-the-wild

Thanks no that we no they are world wide spread then there has to be without a doubt something that feeds on them daily.
It's ok I am treating my tank March 1st so let's see them try and hide from me lol

 

[Tweaked]

Vile creatures. After two months of out of tank dips a year ago, I am so happy to be free of them. So much that I will only purchase coral from Battlecorals or the likes. I forgot how nice the sps should look and enjoy not seeing the bite marks etc on my babies. GL on your fight, kill em all :uzi: