What's eating my acro?

[Sgt Fury]

Noticed these worm holes on my acro last night after it fell from its usual perch. Any idea on what's lunching on my acro? Thanks

 

[twon8]

might be aefw, or it could just be where the acro was attaching itself. A closer pic would help

 

[Sgt Fury]

My photography skills aren't the best. I will try to get a closer pic. As for possible attachment site, this frag was standing alone before it fell off it's perch.....snails most likely. Anyways, it wasnt touching anything in the tank. Also, wouldnt the damage be a bit more radical than what one would expect from flatworms?

 

[twon8]

was the damaged site facing down?

aefw like to hide in the dark parts and eat and lay eggs. do you see any little brown spots grouped together?

 

[RichConley]

I doubt its AEFW. Theres large chunks of calcium skeleton missing there....

got any urchins? Chitons? antying like that?

 

[Sgt Fury]

Rich: Nope, no urchins or chitons. The tank is about 2 yrs old and has a clean up crew consisting of snails, bl hermits and cukes. Ive had and treated red bugs on twice in the tanks history.

Anthony: The frag was standing on its frag base when most likely a snail knocked it over. The picture I posted is of the frag after it fell to the bottom. The way the frag was situated in the tank, I couldnt observe any damage as it occurred. What you are viewing is the side of the frag that was facing (not touching) the rear of the tank.

Ive taken a closer look at my other corals and am relieved to see it appears this infection/damage is limited to this single piece.....so far, knock on wood!

 

[twon8]

I would frag it and toss the affected area, dipping the keeper in something to kill whatever bad might be left on the surface.

 

[Sgt Fury]

I hesitate to do that just yet since I checked it this AM and it seems to be recovering. I have about 40 SPS colonies and frags in my tank and would like to rule out a possible predator in the tank so I think I'm going to do some "nighttime observation" to see if a noctural creature is responsible.

I appreciate your input and will let you know how things turn out.