Urchin Eating Zoa?!?

Originally Posted by MoonChaser
So... here is a question. I have an urchin in my tank along with some zoas. For a while the Urchin was leaving them alone, but now it seems as he has taken to eating the zoas. I have put algae on a rock for the urchin and that gets eaten but the zoas are still half gone. They are not dead as the other half is still growing and opening everyday. I haven't seen him do it, but my parents have caught him on the zoas more than once. Normal or not?

You might get a better answer making this a seperate post. Still dont think the urchins eating them lol

So, I am posting this here to see what is going on. I had full zoas and now they are half gone. They still open as state above. I did catch the Urchin on them tonight, but not sure he was eating them... any opinions?

 

Bump.... anyone?

 

I've never heard of a tuxedo urchin eating zoas.....but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I did Google it, and all the info I read said they don't eat coral or zoas.

 

Yeah, I googled it too, and that is what I found... but something is... and pretty sure it isn't a fish... hmmm

 

I thought your zoas ate your urchin...

Maybe a nudibranch. Google zoa eating nudis and watch your zoas for the next few days at night.

 

Got any crabs? One of my emeralds had to be banished to the fuge because he found a taste for zoo's. Also nudibranches may be the culprit.

 

I have zoas, an urchin, 2 clowns, a 6-line wrasse and a rainsford goby... and snails Thats all I know of in my tank

 

lol those snails creeeeep me out.

 

They are pretty big... come to think of it, I haven't seen the big ones for a while.... hmmmm

 

There could be something eating them during the night.