Deadly decorator and peppermint shrimp

[Colts2Broncos]

After 4 chromis disappearing in one night, then losing a mandarin and a cardinal this morning (all in an 8 day period) we decided to test our critters. Everyone thinks it's the CBS... took a silverside and attached it to a feeding stick, he showed a bit of interest then hid. On the to decorator and peppermints, they attacked this fish like there was no tomorrow and they were just fed an hour before this. That decorator latched on and when we tried to pull away he refused to let go even while air (or water) borne (I took pics for proof). Food chunks laying out nearby get ignored, but a wavy fish looking alive gets attacked.

Not sure what to think at this point but something it killing and eating our fish overnight and if our test proved anything, it's the decorator.

 

[650-IS350]

I had a 1-2" decorator before go high atop my rocks and was swinging away at fish swiming by. Literally trying to lunge at them. Minutes later him and his buddy were vanquished from my tank.

 

[Colts2Broncos]

Once the Decorator was done, the peppermint came in and ripped it to shreds the rest of the way. Not a trace left. I'm pretty sure now that I know where our chromis went. With the decorator and 2 peppermints working in tandem, there would be nothing left of the fish. Also, when we lost the coral beauty we found it in the morning with the decorator sitting over it feeding happily. Seems like all the fish that have been taken are docile fish that settle quietly at night in the open rather than hiding in a hole or cave like the fish we have left.

 

[Colts2Broncos]

The decorator is probably 4".

 

[650-IS350]

That's a biggie, all invertebrates are all opportunistic

 

[Colts2Broncos]

I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes. This crab and these two peppermints seem to be teaming up and going after docile fish that rest quietly near the bottom when sleeping. And that crab was AGRESSIVE.

 

[accordsirh22]

the peppermints are just cleaning up the scraps, they have nothing to do with your fish dying

 

[Colts2Broncos]

You haven't sat here and watched what I did all day. I said that 2 days ago, until I saw the devils spawn at work. No one can convince me otherwise. they want nothing to do with silversides or other prepared food, they are going after LIVE food.

 

[J2T]

Its possible, and I would probably believe the decorator before the peppermint to be honest. I just can't see a peppermint being able to take down a healthy fish. I've had a decorator in my tank for about 6 months and couldn't imagine him even being able to catch a healthy fish as he is rather ungainly but crabs can be opportunistic for sure.

How long has the tank been up and do you maybe have any mantis shrimp hiding about? Before condemning the crab it could be something else in your tank and the others are just cleaning up because 4 chromis in one night seems like a lot for a decorator to catch. The chromis aren't exactly sleeping and I know my chromiis is usually quite alert no matter what time I peak in my tank at night.

 

[Colts2Broncos]

Well I feel like a jerk now... I guess the 3 remaining fish saw what had been happening (yeah right, probably not) and must have hid. I've ALWAYS seen the chromis and the firefish out at night no matter what time but they seriously must have found a hiding place and stayed hid all night... which boggles my mind, but I'd have put money that there were no fish is that tank last night. I'm thankful this morning that I was wrong last night though.

 

[Mranderson]

shoot. I feel like I just put a hit out on my nano fish.

 

[Calappidae]

I had a small 1.5 inch sponge decorator crab.. murdered a 3" scooter dragonet and 5 inch yellow angelfish.. was a model citizen for a fews weaks then went on a killing spree.. he litteraly stayed in the same spot on the same rock 24/7 since I got him..

It's always the quiet ones..

 

[Betta132]

The peppermints are going OH LOOK FOOD! And swarming it like most shrimp will.
Your decorator is the problem; most crabs (excluding the porcelain crabs, which are filter-feeders) are opportunistic feeders and will attack anything they can.

 

[Calappidae]

The peppermints are going OH LOOK FOOD! And swarming it like most shrimp will.
Your decorator is the problem; most crabs (excluding the porcelain crabs, which are filter-feeders) are opportunistic feeders and will attack anything they can.

EDIT: +1

A prime example is my experience with emerald crabs.. I added a pair in my 29 gallon.. chased everything..

Add three to my 125.. model citizens.

The ease of being able to catch fish is what you need to look out for. A sick fish, a sleeping one, etc are all risk. Damsels with dec crabs are good because they can dig and hide inbetween rocks at night where the crab can't reach. They're very fast during the day as well.

It could POSSIBLY be the CBS.. it happens occasionally.. but in this situation the crab is getting my vote. Pep didn't hurt a fly.