Anything that eats palys?

rgulrich · Mar 23, 2022

I see this thread popped up again.
I can add to the list of not only the Koran Angel (since been re-homed) eating them, but my Red Sea Regal loves them (and lots of other things) as well.
Cheers,
Ray :cool:

tercel94 · Mar 23, 2022

rgulrich said:
I see this thread popped up again.
I can add to the list of not only the Koran Angel (since been re-homed) eating them, but my Red Sea Regal loves them (and lots of other things) as well.
Cheers,
Ray :cool:

Did they bother anything else? Or just the palys/zoas?

rgulrich · Mar 23, 2022

The Koran pecked at the LPS (Lobophyllia sp.) occasionally. It simply outgrew my 300 - it was starting to get a bit too belligerent with the other occupants.
I haven't noticed any of that with the Red Sea Regal (at least not yet). It has pretty much wiped out the brown palythoa...leaving a few snacks behind for a bit, I guess. I've also noticed some pest anemone slowly disappearing since it's introduction. My big branching Euphyllia paradivisa ("frogspawn") has resident clownfish, and I imagine they've been pretty protective of it. Might explain an injury or two on the female as well...
Now if I could only convince it to start munching on red & blue mushrooms/Discosoma...

Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ray :cool:

areefer01 · Mar 23, 2022

Both my Pyramid and Zosters eat my green nuclear versions. They are constantly picking at them but sadly the palys can more or less withstand the constant nipping and are not dwindling in numbers.

Gaudy clown crab I believe has the highest chance of success but good luck trying to find one. I've been looking for about a year with zero luck. Reef cleaners is about the only source and every time I reach out they say not having much luck, sign up for notifications, and hope you are fast enough...

Ben Pedersen · Mar 23, 2022

My Emperor Angle loves all palys and aptasia is it's favorite food but has not touched my LPS. It will browse orang and red acans..

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Mar 23, 2022

Any butterflyfish. Lol
D

Djwredhead · Jan 11, 2025

Tamberav said:
He ate that paly shortly after this photo

Where were you able to get one of these? I've tried a lot of places and people and none have a supplier. I need to rid of some toxic greens that are spreading!

Tamberav · Jan 11, 2025

Djwredhead said:
Where were you able to get one of these? I've tried a lot of places and people and none have a supplier. I need to rid of some toxic greens that are spreading!

good luck, people have been looking forever. This was a reef cleaners pick up but I swear one comes in stock only about once every 2-3 years.

areefer01 · Jan 11, 2025

Tamberav said:
good luck, people have been looking forever. This was a reef cleaners pick up but I swear one comes in stock only about once every 2-3 years.

This is very true. I've reached out to both KP and Reef Cleaners and both have said they have waiting lists miles long and just do not see them anymore. They don't know if it is environmental, seasonal thing that is in a rut, or they have just become better and blending in so the collectors no longer see them. Or maybe even rules with collection that make it difficult.

Two fun notes.

1. I have been looking for one of these for a good spell now with zero luck. Waiting list both KP and Reef Cleaners and I send messages almost quarterly asking. Anyway on 12/7/2024 KP Aquatics sent out an email to their waiting list that said they had the Gaudy's in stock. Of course I'm in Fiji at the time on a dive trip when it comes in and see the email when I get back. POO! Anyway I shoot KP a email asking how quickly it sold and he laughed. It was posted as available on accident, sold in a couple minutes, and had to refund the buyer back :D All in under 15 minutes.

2. Second one is a bit odd but I figured why not. I reached out to Elliot at Marine Collectors asking if they could possible source one. You know reach out to a diver or collector in that area and maybe ask them to pay special attention to this particular crab. Many of us have been waiting so it may be a good thing for both. The reply I got back was more or less what the heck is a Gaudy Clown Crab and no, not even sure where to start...

So there you go. KP accidentally posted availability and it sold, and was refunded, within 15 minutes. Marine Collectors, no fault of their own, have no idea what the crab is and wasn't really sure how to start.

TL; DR - I'm probably going to have to make a dive trip to the Florida coastal waters and see if I can find one on my own...

Tamberav · Jan 11, 2025

I didn't have any paly issue but they are incredibly interesting and awesome looking crabs :)

He did end up attacking one small fish though so not exactly entirely safe. They have big claws and a crab is going to crab!