What's Eating My Birds Nest?

[reefgeezer]

So... I thought my Blue Damsels were picking at my Birds Nests. Once again I was wrong. The problem is still happening after I removed them. The problem is this... the flesh disappears overnight in big patches mostly in the middle of a branch. I frag the branch and the frag does fine. However, a few days later I notice another branch has started losing patches.

I don't think its RTN/STN because it happens in the middle of the branch. I suspect some sort of pest. I've noticed little white starfish and some small white snails on the glass but haven't seen anything else.

I'll try to get some pictures, but in the meantime, does anybody have any suggestions?

 

[Acronic]

Sounds like sps eating snails to be honest. They can do serious damage. The snails on ur glass im betting are conistella? Spelling may be wrong, they are good. Sps eating snails have a tapered shell like a cerith and are usually white or black or even striped. Even one at 2mm in size can cause some pretty hefty damage.

 

[Rwpdunne]

Check for a worm at lights out with a red torch

 

[smtank]

I would look for Limpets and Asterina.

Both are usually fine, but there are some types that love to munch on BN. (disclaimer most Limpets and Asterina are reef safe, some are not.)

Look at the base or under any plugs during the day, also in the middle of the night.

 

[blazzing_ray]

^^^had it happen to me

 

[rovster]

Also check for crabs.

 

[reefgeezer]

I slept through the lights out period last night... crap!... I'll try again tonight... looking that is, not sleeping. Thanks all.

 

[reefgeezer]

OK I finally go up in the middle of the night. I shined a flashlight through a red piece of plastic to see if I could see any creepie crawlies... Nothing. No worms, snails, crabs, etc.

My Sour Apple is all but gone. I've saved some frags so I can repopulate the reef when I figure out what is going on.

Funny, I have a pink birdsnest and a Tyree Ponape that are fine but I'm worried that whatever is going on will eventually affect them. Acros and Monti's see fine also. It seems like only the green birdsnest and sour apples are affected. I'm getting a little frustrated. Anybody have any Ideas?

 

[reefgeezer]

I've built a trap and baited it with ate up Sour Apple frags. Maybe we'll have some answers in the morning.

 

[thesenator]

I know this is years ago but did you ever get to the bottom of it? I have a similar problem with my birdsnests and also my stylopora. They grow fine on the rack but when i place them on my rock they get eaten overnight. I sometimes move them onto the rock during the day and they look great as long as they are moved back to the frag rack at night.
Any help greatly appreciated :thumbsup:

 

[thesenator]

BTW my acros and montis are not affected.

 

[reefgeezer]

I know this is years ago but did you ever get to the bottom of it? I have a similar problem with my birdsnests and also my stylopora. They grow fine on the rack but when i place them on my rock they get eaten overnight. I sometimes move them onto the rock during the day and they look great as long as they are moved back to the frag rack at night.
Any help greatly appreciated :thumbsup:

I never found the problem... but I never tried Bird's Nests again. I just stuck with monti's and acro's from that point forward. I've since torn down that tank and started a new one. I believe I had a pest, maybe a Nudibranch. Maybe a Wrasse in the tank might get your pest.

 

[thesenator]

Thanks for the reply John. It's a bit of a mystery. I think i need a few late night torch sessions to see if i can spot anything. Like you I may just end up sticking to the acros and montis if nothing is found.
Thanks again.
J..