Do your corals ever catch food way too big for them?

Discussion in 'SPS Corals' started by Va Reef, Aug 2, 2015.

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  1. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    Lately some of my Acros have been catching frozen brine shrimp when I feed. Certainly they can't actually consume it? Do they get some nutritional value from partially eating it?

    Offenders include a tenius, a tort, some milles and a hyacanthus.

    It's not the food getting stuck on the skeleton, but the actual polyp grabbing it.
     
    Va Reef, Aug 2, 2015
    Va Reef, Aug 2, 2015
    #1

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  2. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    Corals, nems... they all do it. Without eyes or brain, the only way to 'size up' food is to try to swallow it. Not to worry though, they can't choke. :D

    As for gaining nutrition from partially eaten food, I'd say most likely. I've seen photos of fish that covered several polyps on an sps coral; it appeared to be nearly half dissolved and they were still clinging to it.
     
    Mr. Bill, Aug 3, 2015
    Mr. Bill, Aug 3, 2015
    #2
  3. sandy

    sandy Bristle Worm

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    My Sun coral eats big pieces of shrimp
     
    sandy, Aug 3, 2015
    sandy, Aug 3, 2015
    #3
  4. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    Well yeah, my sun coral could catch and swallow a small fish. They don't seem to care if it's too big or not lol
     
    Va Reef, Aug 3, 2015
    Va Reef, Aug 3, 2015
    #4
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