hairy mushrooms

[Reef4Fun]

Ok, I just read a thread in the Clowns and Anemone forum and a person lost their clownfish and said that the hairy mushroom did it. Could this be posiable? I am concered because I have my beautiful Maroom Clown in my tank and I recently put in a rock with some very pretty and healthy hairy mushrooms. Anyone have a clue?

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Yes, it's possible. Most likely what ate their fish was an Elephant Ear Mushroom (Amplexidiscus species). But, very large Rhodactis species will also munch on fish and invertebrates.

 

[mcox33]

very true, I had one eat a fish. Needless to say I was not heartbroken when the hairy decided he would no longer open and disappeared.

 

[firefish2020]

Indeed true, some lure clowns in and let them host for a bit then decide to devour them one night as they sleep. That said it would need to be a rather large mushroom esp. the giant elephant ear variety as stated above. I once blamed a hairy for the disappearance of one of my old clowns..but Im pretty sure it wasn't the mushroom in my case. Just keep an eye on them.

 

[Reef4Fun]

ok, I will watch them. They are not large, I got them from Phil and they are very pretty. My clown is not interested in it, she hosts in a very large anemone, and she is pretty big too, much bigger than the mushrooms. Maybe Phil will chime in here and give me some info since he knows what kind I got. I have always wanted an elephant ear too, not anymore! LOL I have my 45 gal tank I could move them to if need be, the little clown in that tank is married to the carpet anemone, no worries there I believe.

 

[phljess]

I would not be too concerned, I kept clowns with those mushrooms for years with no problem. I think the mushroom would have to be about 3 times the size of the fish before it could eat one.

 

[Reef4Fun]

ok, thats good, my clown is huge now anyway, she is about 5 inches and fat.