What is eating my mushrooms??

[Sebreef93]

I woke up this morning to discover that one of my discooma mushrooms is completely gone, and I am trying to identify the culprit. I have a pair of clownfish, a tailspot blenny, and a Clean Up Crew (trochus snails, astraea snails, nassarius snails, red and blue-legged hermit crabs). Recently, I posted a thread here as I found a small worm, which people identified as a bristle worm. However, it has grown quite big now (I'm not sure whether it is the same one). Could it be possible that the worm ate the mushroom? I'm trying to find whether it is floating somewhere, but cannot locate it.

 

[AquaLogic]

When it comes to missing mushrooms, the most likely culprit is Hobbits. Have you added any to your tank recently?

 

[Sebreef93]

When it comes to missing mushrooms, the most likely culprit is Hobbits. Have you added any to your tank recently?

No, the tank had no new additions since last 5 weeks. Therefore, I am quite surprised that suddenly disappeared overnight.

 

[CrimsonTide]

It could definitely be free floating now somewhere. If it gets detached it will float until it finds a new resting spot which sometimes is definitely not somewhere ypu can see it. How big is your tank?

 

[AquaLogic]

Some people say that bristle worms are harmless, but there are definitely reports of them eating mushrooms. I don't like them in my tanks. I would look at getting rid of them.

Here is an example

 

[Sebreef93]

Some people say that bristle worms are harmless, but there are definitely reports of them eating mushrooms. I don't like them in my tanks. I would look at getting rid of them.

Here is an example

Yeah, I recently noticed it walking around the tank and scavenging. I don't mind as long as they're not touching corals. However giving the recent actions I will have to look at night whether the worm is interested in corals. Thanks!

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

There’s 10,000 Species of Bristle Worms, add counting. You may have a Bristle Clam Worm and they will eat some Corals and even sleeping fish. Especially if Clams aren’t available. I would try and trap or catch that particular worm.

 

[Sebreef93]

There’s 10,000 Species of Bristle Worms, add counting. You may have a Bristle Clam Worm and they will eat some Corals and even sleeping fish. Especially if Clams aren’t available. I would try and trap or catch that particular worm.

No problem, thank you for your help! I will attempt to catch it. It is usually coming when it's feeding time. Alternatively, I believe I might be able to catch it during the night time.

 

[Sebreef93]

It could definitely be free floating now somewhere. If it gets detached it will float until it finds a new resting spot which sometimes is definitely not somewhere ypu can see it. How big is your tank?

It's 13.5 gallons. It wasn't very big mushroom, so if it shrank to detach and float I may not be able to locate it. I was thinking about checking the Chambers to see if it's inside.

 

[AquaLogic]

I don't know how well they work, but you can get a bristle worm trap. I've never used one, but I have used this site before and it's good.

Traps

 

[Sebreef93]

I don't know how well they work, but you can get a bristle worm trap. I've never used one, but I have used this site before and it's good.

Traps

Awesome, thank you!

 

[Sebreef93]

The shroom is back. Suddenly appeared in a slightly different place.

 

[CrimsonTide]

The shroom is back. Suddenly appeared in a slightly different place.

Glad to know it is back. I figured it had moved.