Tang VS Cleaner Shrimp

[KOgle]

I've seen a clam catch a tang on another board. I'll see if I can dig up some pictures. Evedentally the clam was strong enough to hold the fish there for quite some time.

[rashr]

I ran across this thread on another forum and they had a picture of the clam shut on a Blue Hippo when the hippo messed with the clam it triggered its closing defense and caught the tang in its grasp....of course the owner pried it out, but the tang died from the ordeal....I was just wondering if this is normal with Tangs (curious to clams and may nip at them) or just a freak incident.....

[amcarrig]

Originally Posted by rashr

I ran across this thread on another forum and they had a picture of the clam shut on a Blue Hippo when the hippo messed with the clam it triggered its closing defense and caught the tang in its grasp....of course the owner pried it out, but the tang died from the ordeal....I was just wondering if this is normal with Tangs (curious to clams and may nip at them) or just a freak incident.....

Here's the picture that you're talking about

[rashr]

Thanks Amcarrig.....that is exactly what I was looking for!

[Tangster]

Maybe what it looks like ? I have seen all kinds of Photoshoped pictures that looked real. I have seen a clam shut up on a wrasse one but the fish jerked right out. Its not like the mantel has teeth or is serrated ? Its silk as silk and rounded . But I'll say O.K I'm wrong (: ain't the first time not the last time ..But I'd still not pass up a bet on it! as a faked photo..

[cardiffgiant]

I've seen my yellow will nibble at the cleaner shrimp, I've also seen him nibble at the base of a feather duster who was "in the wrong place, at the wrong time."

Tangs graze all day, and just seem to nibble on what ever they can. I moved the feather duster out of the area that he patrols, and he's completely ignored it. If I see him picking at something he shouldn't, I just put some nori, or a pruning of caulerpa from refugium into a clip and toss near one of his areas.

Then he'll nibble that every time he swims by it. Keeps him busy when he's bored. I usually do it 2-3 times a week.