Hippo tang and coral?

[vitosreef]

I got a nice torch coral with 2 polyps for my tank yesterday and attached it to the live rock. The tentacles were not out, but I figured that was because it needed to adjust. I just saw my hippo tang go up to one of the contracted polyps and pull a couple of tentacles out! I thought tangs were OK with coral. Anyone have a similar experience? It's fine with my leather, colt, brain and candy cane corals. Not like it's not well fed; far from it. Not much I can do, I guess.

[FILTERED]

read in mag that they were fine with caution so i guess that means that youll find out what types of coral they pick on lol sorry.not very funny

[graphixx]

that is too bad, i have a monster hippo in my tank and she is great. she doesnt nip at a thing. I would get a strawberry basket and put over the coral for a while and see if that helps

[vitosreef]

Thanks, should have thought of shielding the coral. May be too late now.

[Reef_Angel]

Hungry Tang huh? Do you leave any live macro algae or other tasty plant material from your refuge? By keeping the macro algae available for your hippo to pick at, it might help distract him from the newest member of your reef. I have 3 places between the rocks that I like to stick tufts of macro algae in. They love it, and it's not a nuisance in any way! It look nice too! I try to keep it readily available to them, but they can be eating machines! Your Tang may just be attracted to the movement on the tentacles of your Torch, and thought he'd take a taste. :dory: For the most part, members of the Tang family are herbivores. Mine eat a variety though, including brine & mysis. Have you tried getting some of algae wafers/sheets or pellets for him? I have a Yellow Tang (Bubbles), my latest one is a Powder Blue Tang (Bah-Loo), and not to forget...the First Lady of the tank, (Sailfin "Sally")! She just plain eats anything you offer her. My next tang is going to be an Atlantic Blue Tang. I hope my luck stays good with my pretty ones! They really are quite awesome! Good Luck! ..... ~Angel~ :angel07:

[vitosreef]

Looks like the coral is dead, but I will use some kind of shield next time I put in a new coral. I don't think the problem was hunger, judging by the heft of this fish ;)