Who is guilty ?

[LeLutinBanni]

Hi,

I added a 3 peppermint and red linckia in the last 2 weeks.

My pumping xenia and my "regular" xenia get eaten sporadically.

I doubt that the starfish is the author of that mess ... BUT, It's been two weeks that Peppermints are there and nothing was ate.

It's been three days that the star is there and my xenia are beginning to get eaten ...

Who is guilty?

*My english is not perfect...

 

[LeLutinBanni]

no ?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Could be a xanthid crab. They're nocturnal so spy on your tank at night, or set a trap. Tall, smooth sided glass, baited with fresh seafood, tilted against the rockwork.

 

[SushiGirl]

I wouldn't suspect the linkia.
I would suspect that either your peppermint shrimp are getting hungry (are you feeding them or making sure there's enough for them to eat) or like Sugar said maybe a hitchhiking crab in there. Or, are you sure the xenia is getting eaten and not just deteriorating?

 

[evsalty]

Your time table suggests that it is the Linka.

 

[tkeracer619]

there is no documentation on what linkia stars eat. If they ate coral I am pretty sure someone would have figured it out by now.

 

[LeLutinBanni]

I wouldn't suspect the linkia.
I would suspect that either your peppermint shrimp are getting hungry (are you feeding them or making sure there's enough for them to eat) or like Sugar said maybe a hitchhiking crab in there. Or, are you sure the xenia is getting eaten and not just deteriorating?

Eaten 100 % sure... My pumping colony is massive and only few branch are shreded.

I thought the peppermints was ok with the rest of fish food. I will try to give them some frozen shrimps and pellets.

evsalty says : Your time table suggests that it is the Linka.

I know...But Linckia are not supossed to be harmful ? And i have a lot of sponges, algeas, FRESH KELP...lol and nori for it.

 

[evsalty]

I am just stating that the time table would suggest the linkia but peps getting hungry would take a few days/weeks too so it could be them. I have never had peps eat corals before but I would not put it past a starving one to eat xenia (the taller aiptasia lol).

 

[tkeracer619]

xenia (the taller aiptasia lol).

So true! :spin1:

 

[LeLutinBanni]

LOL...They are not taller aiptasia but beautiful pumping xenia

 

[Chris27]

I've seen tangs eat coral, peppermints eat coral, and "reef safe" angles eat coral.....the point...anything is possible in these tanks. Keep checking on the tank throughout the day and night and I'm sure you'll find the culprit.

BTW....you're right....beautiful pumping xenia! It's cool stuff in moderation, that's for sure.

 

[snorvich]

I am just stating that the time table would suggest the linkia but peps getting hungry would take a few days/weeks too so it could be them. I have never had peps eat corals before but I would not put it past a starving one to eat xenia (the taller aiptasia lol).

Of course, in the long run, the starfish will starve.

 

[LeLutinBanni]

The starfish is new in the tank...My tank is 15 months old with a lot of sponge, algue etc...Nori or fresh KELP is always available.

 

[snorvich]

The starfish is new in the tank...My tank is 15 months old with a lot of sponge, algue etc...Nori or fresh KELP is always available.

As I said above.

 

[LeLutinBanni]

As I said above.

Because the starfish is new ? and it's was starving at my LFS ? :sad2:

If you are right, it's sad...

 

[dogstar74]

No one knows what linkia stars eat, thus you can dump all the food in there you want, and it will probably still starve to death. Just enjoy them while you have them. I'd suspect the peppermint shrimp.

But don't worry, xenia will grow back in no time. It will probably keep up with the harvester.

Observing your tank at night with a red flashlight is awesome. I highly recommend it.
Aaron