Will a giant cup mushroom eat fish???

[PuffersKick]

I really like the Giant Cup Mushroom! I want to get one, but I've read they can EAT fish! I would think most fish would know to stay away from it, and would be fast to swim away if it got too close.

For anyone that has one or is familiar with them, do they really eat fish? Or is this more of like a freak occurance when they do? The last thing I want to do is put my fish in jeopardy! Thanks.

 

[Sk8r]

yes. I lost a few fish to one before I knew that such a thing was possible. The last time I caught it in the act, with a struggling lawnmower blenny trapped in it---it looked like a sack with a pig inside. I freed the blenny, but it died shortly after: there is surely a toxin involved as well as oxygen deprivation. Sessile [perching] fish are at greatest risk, but as I favor gobies, I will not have one of those 'shrooms in my tank.

 

[PuffersKick]

Wow, forget that then. Thanks for the input!

 

[Cubman777]

BEWARE!
We had one that grew to be well over a foot in diameter. And yes, it ate a few fish (2 foxfaces, 2 damsels, a shrimp goby), a cleaner shrimp, and a coral (although I cant remember which one). I had to get rid of it. I brought it to my lfs (not where I got it) for some store credit. IT has since been returned and resold 3 times!!!

 

[clord]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7876848#post7876848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cubman777
BEWARE!
We had one that grew to be well over a foot in diameter. And yes, it ate a few fish (2 foxfaces, 2 damsels, a shrimp goby), a cleaner shrimp, and a coral (although I cant remember which one). I had to get rid of it. I brought it to my lfs (not where I got it) for some store credit. IT has since been returned and resold 3 times!!!

lol

 

[edwardbotha]

anemones eat fish as well. but my experience is that it is usually sick and dying fish that get caught upin them

 

[Cody Ray]

Saw one at a lfs that was eating a yellow tang!

 

[keckles]

I have encountered the most losses from smaller clownfish that attempt to host in the mushroom. My guess is that at night as the clownfish lays its head down, the mushroom lays the smack down.

I haven't really had any trouble with other fish. I would guess that larger open water-swimmers, such as the yellow tang mentioned above, were already in poor condition prior to being consumed.

 

[Cubman777]

Ive got to disagree with you. The fish previously mentioned were in great shape. I think that when the shrooms get really big (over 12'') they can capture any medium to small aquarium fish that gets too curious. Mine was about 18''

 

[keckles]

You are absolutely correct, Cubman.

The yellow tang story was the one I was skeptical of. It sounds more like the store got in a bad shipment to me.

 

[ReefObsessor805]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7876848#post7876848 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Cubman777
BEWARE!
We had one that grew to be well over a foot in diameter. And yes, it ate a few fish (2 foxfaces, 2 damsels, a shrimp goby), a cleaner shrimp, and a coral (although I cant remember which one). I had to get rid of it. I brought it to my lfs (not where I got it) for some store credit. IT has since been returned and resold 3 times!!!

LOL!

 

[55semireef]

YES it will eat fish. Check this thread out from another forum. Its crazy.

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=200072&highlight=mushroom+cup