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What eats coraline algae???

dnov99

dnov99

FRAG SWAP VENDOR
I have noticed that something has been "scraping" the coralline algae off my rock to the point of where the rock is white.

I know that urchins have been known to do this, but i have none. I have a blue linkia starfish, several scarlet hermit crabs and tons of stomatella snails. All of these i do not believe would do this. I did have a couple of the large electric blue legged hermits, which i pulled out because i felt they would be the only thing doing this.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
 
D

ds4x4

have you tried turning on moon lights or a flashlight at night? i read that you should "stake out" in front of the tank at night b/c there are many things that could have hitched a ride into your tank and are nocturnal. could be very difficult to find during the day and possibly cause your problem.
 
D

DaveK

While a lot of things will eat coraline algae, I don't know of any that can really control it. You'll need to do what everyone else does, and scrape it off the front glass, and every place else you don't want it.

If it's on something removable, and you don't mind killing everything else on it, you can rinse it off under hot FW fro a few min. This will usually kill the coraline.
 
B

bconn

My bet is Asterina Stars.... :mad:

When I am working on the tank I just pull them out when I see them. No sure of effective control that won't starve when the star problem is under control.
 
dnov99

dnov99

FRAG SWAP VENDOR
Thanks Davek, but I'm not trying to control the Coraline, I am trying to figure out what is eating it.

I never realized that asterina's eat Coraline, so I guess it could be them, as I do have them in the tank. Have to camp out tonight and see if there is anything coming out at night doing the damage. Thanks!
 
Hawkeye

Hawkeye

a nighttime hitcher that typically can be found in LS and on Live rock is the chiton. I don't know if that is what it eating your coralline- but it's possible. keyhole limpets have as similar rasping mouth.
 
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