Peppermint shrimp eating my hammer?!

[mcrick]

Anyone ever seen a peppermint shrimp try devouring a hammer coral? It was a new hammer with a couple heads. I emphasize "was". I tried moving it and the little sucker found it. I finally caught him and banished him to the sump. I've never seen this before. Any thoughts?

 

[twilliard]

I have had peppers eat my chalices before. Made me unhappy but he went into my 20 g haven't had once since.

 

[Rpujol85]

If the hammer catches any food the peppermint will try to steal it. Also if the hammer is at all sick/infected they will remove any dead/dying tissue. They can be rough though.

Same thing happened to me once or twice, but my hammer was able to bounce back.

I think after the hammer is well established and healthy it becomes less of an issue.

 

[zoo]

I hate those little guys they steal food pick at corals I never trust them I just let them eat aptasia then catch them the next day