Disappearing zoas? Guidance needed....

[maelstrom79]

So I've lost two zoas in the last couple of days during the nighttime ..... My cast of suspects includes:

Astrea snails
Blue legged hermits
True percula clownfish
Blue spotted goby
Tiger pistol shrimp
Cleaner shrimp (skunk shrimp?)
Emerald crab
Bristle worms (I've only seen one, a Blue worm)

The zoas were completely gone, clean frag plug with just the super glue left.
I suspect the emerald crab..... I haven't found any pests yet per se. I've read articles about asterina stars, mutant amphipods (sp?), but I don't think that's the cause. I have a 14 g biocube, didn't find the zoas in the back of the tank, and they were doing very well (plus I don't think they disappear overnight if they're not doing well). Any thoughts on this?? Thanks!! :unsure:

 

[liverock27]

I would also say the Emerald Crab. I have seen pistol shrimp pull frag plugs into their den, but never seen one just take out the zoas.

 

[winkkle]

Possibly another type of crab like a gorilla crab. Could they have been blown off the plug?

 

[maelstrom79]

I don't think so, or I would have found them in the back of the tank (since I don't have a sump)

 

[spike]

Any other fish in your tank, or just the cast of suspects?

 

[kirkwood]

winkkle;739938 wrote: Could they have been blown off the plug?

+1 If it was a fresh frag plug in glue I would bet they blew off the plug. Do you have a history of missing zoas? if it was a new frag and you don't have a history of missing zoas, then I'm convinced they blew off the plug... I am always amazed how easy it is for zoas to disappear in a tank. Only time I can ever find them again is when they are open under actinics..

 

[rolo65]

most likely the emerald....id wager money on it...

 

[winkkle]

If it was the emerald it would seem like more than 2 woould disappear.

 

[maelstrom79]

Spike, no other fish or inverts. If there's a pest I haven't found him. Winkkle and Kirk, frags are about a week old. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for loose zoas though

 

[sleepyreef]

If there is no evidence left on the plug my money is on they blew off. I would think that there would be at least some scraps left on the plug if it was something eating it. I have come to this conclusion because I have had newly purchased zoas blow off the frag and based on your list of suspects.

Unless there is an unknown suspect lurking in your tank...