Someone munching my coralline?

[Frankie]

I have been noticing in some areas on my rock that the coralline is just gone! I think there is something eating it and was curious if anyone has a clue. I don't have any urchins in my tank so i am ruling that out. Unless there are some that just come out at night and slipped my notice? Doubtful. I am very puzzled. I see the tangs picking at the rock in these areas but don't think they eat it. I think there picking at the algae thats trying to grow where the coralline was.
I will get some pictures of it tomorrow so you all can see what i mean.
In the mean time maybe someone has a clue to whats going on. Could it be water prams? My tank is pretty solid.

[jthomps123]

Could it be crabs maybe? Im sure i've read accounts of certain hermits that will eat coralline?

[Frankie]

Thanks for the reply jt. No, I have no crabs other then a few acro crabs in my system. Good call though.
Welcome to RS btw! I don't think i saw you slip in

[dobejazz]

I have a hitchhiking urchin in my 5.5 it only comes out at night it had to have been there months before I ever noticed it

[Frankie]

Awe man! I did not want to hear that. Do you have a picture of it so i can id it? I will whip out the flashlight and go search.

[GeeWizzItsMe]

Sounds like an urchin! I read that they just poop the coralline back into the system, so you should be okay! (I'm not sure about any of that info, but I tried!)

[Frankie]

Thats a bad visual Christopher! LOL! I have plenty of coralline but i don't want my rock to get striped out. thats whats happening. I like the way it looks ON the rock

[deaclauderdale]

Sounds like a urchin to me as well. I used to have one that was black bodied with green spines and they eat much faster than the coralline grows.Check the tank about 2 to 3 hours after lights out.

[dobejazz]

Originally Posted by Frankie

Awe man! I did not want to hear that. Do you have a picture of it so i can id it? I will whip out the flashlight and go search.

Here he is




Here is a link to the ID of him

Hitchhiker Urchin?? - The Reef Tank

[deaclauderdale]

That's the exact one I had. Busy little critters I tel ya.

[kyle1284]

i have had turbo snails munching on my coraline sometimes

[vdituri]

I got one as a hitchhiker, but I like him/her.
I put them in my 30 as a precaution because I wasn't sure at the time, but I'm considering putting it in the main tank to get some of the pink undercontrol.

[Cassette87]

I agree... sounds like the hadi-work of an urchin!

[Craig Manoukian]

If it's an urchin, no worries as they reseed the coralline with their feces as Christopher suggested.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by kyle1284

i have had turbo snails munching on my coraline sometimes

Bingo!
I too am wondering if this is the culprit! I have been pulling all my turbos out over the last few days and putting them in the refugium.
I don't have any urchins. I spent the whole night with a night light looking in my tank. I did find a few unwanted critters though!
I found 3 bumble bee snails (clam killers!) and one ugly crab. I stabbed him with an exacto knife but he got away. Hardy little bugger! I think i mortally wounded him though. I will try again tonight.