What happened to my Acan?

[Slickraptor13]

So I have a nano tank that has been up for about a year now, and I'm starting to add some corals to it. My tank inhabitants are as follows: 2 nano clowns, an orchid dottyback, a lawnmower blenny, some snails and a peppermint shrimp. Coral wise, i have a small colony of GSP, two Zoa's, a Blasto, a Scoli, and this newest addition this Acan polyp. The Zoa's havent been opening up very much, but my water parameters are in line and yes I'm doing a 50% water change weekly. But what the heck happend to the center of two of the three Acan's? I'm suspecting the shrimp is messing with the Zoa's but would it eat the mouths of the Acan's too?

 

[piranhaman00]

Peppermint shrimp should be considered not reef safe. They are notorious for eating acans. I lost many acans before figuring this out. I hate peppermint shrimp and you should too

 

[Formidableone14]

Pepp Shrimp all the way!

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

I had bought my brother in law some nice Acan pieces a while back and his peppermint shrimp went to town on them.... they're not reef safe and will really hurt your wallet if you like acans and don't know that they like them more than you do....

 

[dank reefer]

Welcome to R2R!
Peppermint shrimp love stealing food out of acans, and will damage them by doing so.

 

[Reeferman47]

That would be the infamous dirty work of a peppermint shrimp. Known for eating acans. This really must be a bummer on you end that coral looked pretty nice. I would get rid of the peppermint shrimp and replace it with a cleaner shrimp.

-Reeferman47

 

[Dkmoo]

Just to offer another POV - I think peps get an unfair rap. Yes some species tend to be more "indescriminant" at picking at polyps (there are many diff species popular in reef hobby all sold as peppermint shrimp) so it can be hit or miss. However majority only do so if tje polyp is dying or otherwise unhealthy and they are doing what CUC is supposed to do.

Putting the blame on the peppermint may mask an underlying issue with the coral. Ie, the one remaining head that the peppermint didn't allegedly ate also look very stressed out with the tissue receding and polyp retraction. If you have a sump maybe put the peppermint in there for now and see if the remaining head recovers or if it still struggles. That will give you a better idea if the peppermint is the culprit.

I had one in my tank, never touched any coral and kept it aitptasia free. I keep mixed reef with acans too and target feed them. Never even touched a very unhealthy one from a rescue colony (tho I kinda wish it did to help clear out the dead/dying heads so the rest of the healthy colony can recover)

 

[vetteguy53081]

Agree on the lack of trust on peppermints. Acans have general requirements and often when on the sandbed often get irritated by sand. I’d elevate it a little

moderate light and water flow
Temp 76-79
Salinity 1,025
Ph. 8.1-8.3
Nitrate < .04
Ammonia. < .03
Mag. 1300
Phosphate < .04

 

[FLReefer101]

I would have to agree with Vetteguy and Dkmoo. Acans can be very finicky especially since you just put them in. There is several species of the Lysmata boggessi are the aiptasia eaters. Some LFS will sell PS as such but in fact will be a different species. You have to do your homework and make sure what you are buying is the right one. Any shrimp can disturb LPS when eating but not intentional. I’m no expert on this but did lots of research due to my aiptasia outbreak. I had lots of zoos and acans which was never bothered.