Bicolor Blennies biting SPS?

[ThRoewer]

I found some bite marks on ma stag horn acropora. They had the shape of the bite of my bicolor blenny, but were at rather strange places where she would have needed to do some acrobatics to get to, especially at the angles the bites have.
My initial fear were AEF because the marks would have fit their profile as well, but a dip didn't cause anything to come off the coral other than a bunch of harmless pods.

I checked and asked before and everyone told me that bicolor blennies are not going after SPS but may harass Tridacna clams. But this one seems to be a bad apple - maybe because it's a female (according to Blue Zoo)?

Anyone made similar experiences

 

[vinhle00]

A pic of the coral would help ID it. Bicolor Blennies are known to pick at corals though.

 

[swk]

I had a bicolor that destroyed all montipora in my tank. The thing was evil. Worst fish ever if keeping sps.

 

[reefbroao]

I've heard of this happening quite a bit

 

[Mark426]

Any comb-toothed blenny is a risk to some degree in a coral tank. Some more than others, but a bi-color has the reputation as one of the riskier Coral/Clam nippers. But...like many other fish, some are model citizens while another of the same is an absolute coral eating machine. Sad fact is if you have a coral nipper there is no cure other than removing it. Good luck.

 

[ThRoewer]

So far it looks not like this one isn't too bad. It seems mostly green corals are affected, likely confused with algae.

My regal angel pair is doing more coral nipping, but they prefer Favia brain corals and do not too much actual damage.

 

[lushuk]

I had a rogue too

 

[Revilo]

Yep they certainly will eat sps. Here is what my old tailspot did to my Acropora plana colony(now dead)

 

[Acronic]

Ya I've had a tailspot that would go to town on my acros. I've also had a bicolour that never touched a thing

 

[ThRoewer]

I caught that little frakker in flagrante.
Now I need to figure out how to catch it. I have a trap, but I will likely catch all other fish before this one.

The damage it does is so far pretty much constrained to the smooth undersides or bases of Acroporas.

I bought this one as a female and that could be the reason why it likes to add some animal protein to its diet. The male I have in another tank hasn't harmed any corals.
It could be that this is a gender related issue which would account for the mixed results with them.

 

[SCWA Reef]

Devil fish lol, mine went to town on my montis, couldnt trap it, only got out by removing the piece of rock it hid inside of. Good luck!

 

[happyhourhero]

I have a strange little combtooth that has sampled many corals and has even eaten some of my mini maxi. I find that when I feed lots of nori and seaweed pellets and algae wafers, it doesnt mess with corals. It is certainly an omnivore. It has never killed anything but has for sure caused some pain.