Rhodactis mussoides Question

[Jason S]

Since I am about to be breaking down my tank to move, I figured I would ask a question that I have not been able to be able to find a consistent answer for. I have a large colony of Rhodactis mussoides that is likely 15X12 inches in the center of my tank, and I think it is one of the most beautiful and eye catching pieces in there with it's bright green fluorescence. I have had it since it was a wee frag of about 1.5 inches square about 8 years ago, and I have fragged it to keep it from taking over. I am trying to decide if I want to save it for when I rebuild the tank, or donate it to my LFS. Sadly, I have to get rid of nearly everything, but I am changing the lighting of my Biocube to hold a small frag of each of my SPS, all of my Yumas, and if I configure the rock correctly, there is room for a decent sized piece of this guy.

The question that I have not been able to find an answer for is if this guy is a fish eater? Like any tank, I have had things disappear over the years, and multiple searches have not been able to reveal if this is the answer. I believe that mine is the safe version, and Amplexidiscus fenestrafer is the fish eater, but I have seen reports of one like mine eating fish. I have never fed mine, and I have never caught it eating anything, but I was curious if any of you have experience with it. I figure now is the time to remove it if I am going to, but I want to be certain because it is gorgeous.

 

[organism]

Since I am about to be breaking down my tank to move, I figured I would ask a question that I have not been able to be able to find a consistent answer for. I have a large colony of Rhodactis mussoides that is likely 15X12 inches in the center of my tank, and I think it is one of the most beautiful and eye catching pieces in there with it's bright green fluorescence. I have had it since it was a wee frag of about 1.5 inches square about 8 years ago, and I have fragged it to keep it from taking over. I am trying to decide if I want to save it for when I rebuild the tank, or donate it to my LFS. Sadly, I have to get rid of nearly everything, but I am changing the lighting of my Biocube to hold a small frag of each of my SPS, all of my Yumas, and if I configure the rock correctly, there is room for a decent sized piece of this guy.

The question that I have not been able to find an answer for is if this guy is a fish eater? Like any tank, I have had things disappear over the years, and multiple searches have not been able to reveal if this is the answer. I believe that mine is the safe version, and Amplexidiscus fenestrafer is the fish eater, but I have seen reports of one like mine eating fish. I have never fed mine, and I have never caught it eating anything, but I was curious if any of you have experience with it. I figure now is the time to remove it if I am going to, but I want to be certain because it is gorgeous.

They can definitely catch fish, I think there was a thread a while back on here of one that even managed to take out a guy's yellow tang. Notorious clownfish eaters too...

 

[snorvich]

They can definitely catch fish, I think there was a thread a while back on here of one that even managed to take out a guy's yellow tang. Notorious clownfish eaters too...

This. Clownfish especially.

 

[Jason S]

Thanks for the responses.

That is what I have heard as well, but I was curious because there are two species that are commonly called Elephant Ears. Every picture I have seen of a fish eater is an Amplexidiscus, but the stories I have seen typically do not show pictures. I even remember the story from here about a yellow tang being eaten from a few years ago, but it is still not clear on if it is the Rhodactis or Amplexidiscus. I know the Amplexidiscus has the "purse string" around the edge of it's disk, and it is a notorious fish eater.

What I am not clear on is if they are both fish eaters, or if one is giving the other a bad name due to the confusion caused with the common names? I know the Rhodactis is photosynthetic, I have never fed it, and it has definitely not eaten a thing in the last year.

It is likely that I will not take the chance, but it is a shame to get rid of such a nice piece. Maybe I will try to feed it and see what happens.

 

[snorvich]

It is likely that I will not take the chance, but it is a shame to get rid of such a nice piece. Maybe I will try to feed it and see what happens.

Well give it a raw shrimp or silverside as a test.