Picked up a decent sized chunk of xenia about two weeks ago and noticed yesterday it was lifting from the rock it was anchored to. It is in strong light, high in the tank and in fairly strong flow.
I thought it was in too much flow and was lifting due to the current. But closer inspection shows it looks like the base has been torn.
(Red circle)
There is a section directly above that which appears to have been chewed.
(purple circle)
Possible culprits:
small gorilla crab
peppermint shrimp
Yellow tang
Hippo tang
Foxface
Overthe last six months I have made two or three attempts to raise xenia, only to have it disappear (most often chewed in half) over the course of a few weeks. I have heard they can be fussy if water parameters aren't great, and I am a CHRONIC overfeeder, so my nitrates were high when I first got the coral. I have cut feedings to every other day to make sure I keep nitrate levels down.
So someone is now extra hungry.
I've turned off the power head that was helping to lift the base and tear more, and intend to try and find out who the culprit is.
Can you think of anything else that may help?
THNX
Flickr: dearmissavery's Photostream