Xenia RIP

[Dante]

I was doing a water change this evening and noticed that my Xenia, which is normally waving in the current up front, was missing. On further inspection its rock, previously wedged into a crevice, was gone too. After much hunting I found its rock, with just a tattered stub of Xenia flesh remaining, in a cave under my green brittle star. I am assuming he ate it. What's up with that??? 8O Aren't these supposed to be reef safe cleaner crew types? Did I miss something?

 

[liquid]

I'm not sure your brittle star is to blame for this one as I've never heard of one doing that, but I could be wrong. Do you have any crabs or anything like that in your tank that might have dragged it over to where you found it?

Shane

 

[Anonymous]

... sometimes that stub can grow back if you put it in its usually place... give it a try.

 

[Dante]

I'm not sure your brittle star is to blame for this one as I've never heard of one doing that, but I could be wrong. Do you have any crabs or anything like that in your tank that might have dragged it over to where you found it?

Shane

It was not more than an hour from the last time I saw it waving around 'til I found it under the brittle star. Only crabs I have are small hermits. Cleaner shrimp maybe?

 

[fishfanatic2]

Definitely not a cleaner shrimp.

 

[SpecialK]

I thought the Green Brittle was not reef safe. All other brittles are. Hmmm something to check into.

Kaye

 

[Desolas]

I've had Green Brittle Stars eat my Xenia as well, just as you describe. I think they learn that its food, and they will suck it down to a stump. I've also had them attempt to eat Zoos, small leathers, and sponges. I think they will attempt to eat any soft coral that is small enough to suck up. They really are not considered to be reef friendly.

The stump should grow back, even a little tuft of Xenia will regrow into a colony usually.

 

[Quigonsean]

Green Brittle's are monsters they eat eveverything. The are the Trigger Fish of Echionoderms. All the other Brittles and Serpent varieties are fine but the grennie weinie eats everthing.

Sean