Xenia and peppermint shrimp??

Bgywrinkle · 08-01-2001, 10:20 AM

Hi All,

Just started to add some coral and fish to my tank that has been maturing since Feb/Mar. For corals I added a Green Button Zoanthus; a group of Reddish Mushrooms and a small rock with three small Pom-Pom Xenia. I also added 2 small Ocellaris Clownfish.

All are doing well except the Xenia -- It has gotten progressively smaller and less active in the last 2 days( I added them Sat PM to the tank).

This Morning I noticed it had shrunk more and seemed to have some wounds(??) near the base of arms near the top of the trunk and saw one of my peppermint shrimp jump on it.

Can peppermint shrimp be causing this distruction or am I missing some thing??

My water parameters are:

Temp = 82
PH = 8.2
Ammonia (Total) = <.01
Nitrate = 0
Nitrite = 0
SG = 1.025-026
Calcium = 400 - 450

Thought I might remove the Xenia to the refugium for recovery -- any thoughts.

TIA,
Don

addicted2fish · 08-01-2001, 12:34 PM

Hi Don,

My two peppermints never bother the Xenia. In fact, My Red Sea pom-pom just about doubles every month. The only thing I have ever seen bother it was an unidentified crab that I caught munching on some new growth.

But I believe there is more than one species called "peppermint shrimp".

Good luck, Bill

Marsey · 08-01-2001, 08:35 PM

Do you add iron regularly? From what I understand, Pom Pom Xenia requires more iron than other corals. Just a thought...

Bgywrinkle · 08-01-2001, 10:22 PM

Thanks for the posts,

I talked to Tom at Inland reef where I bought the Xenia and he believes that the peppermint shrimp are not responsible for the damage nor the blue legged hermit that I have -- thinks it might be some hitchhiker (crab etc) that was with my live rock.

When I checked my tank this afternoon, I saw a brown hairy crab scuttle away from the green polyps of the zoanthus. to that end, I have placed 2 clear glass jars with a piece od shrimp in them against the rock formations. Maybe we'll catch crabs.

The Xenia is in the refugium at this point and it appears to have dropped some arms -- doesn't seem too positive. Oh well, better now than latter.

Will keep all informed.
Regards,
Don

Bgywrinkle · 08-02-2001, 09:19 AM

An Update--

Caught 1 Hairy crab abt 1/2" in size and abt 20 hermit crabs.

going to try again tonight just in case there is another lurking in the shadows.

Moved the remains of the Xenia to the sump (more flow) and it seems to have recovered -- a little lopsided but all remaining arms are extended and the base has expanded/ extended -- guess time will tell.

Regards,
Don

Bgywrinkle · 08-05-2001, 01:58 PM

Update #2

Second crab was caught and has been move to a new home.

Have left the trap with piece of shrimp in for 2 nights and no more crabs (just hermits and my peppermints that contiually try to steal the bait).

Xenia is recovering nicely -- will put it back in amain tank late next week and see how it fairs.

Regards,
Don

08-01-2001, 10:20 AM	#1
Bgywrinkle Tenant Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Peabody, MA Posts: 65	Xenia and peppermint shrimp??Oops it was a hitchhiking crab! Hi All, Just started to add some coral and fish to my tank that has been maturing since Feb/Mar. For corals I added a Green Button Zoanthus; a group of Reddish Mushrooms and a small rock with three small Pom-Pom Xenia. I also added 2 small Ocellaris Clownfish. All are doing well except the Xenia -- It has gotten progressively smaller and less active in the last 2 days( I added them Sat PM to the tank). This Morning I noticed it had shrunk more and seemed to have some wounds(??) near the base of arms near the top of the trunk and saw one of my peppermint shrimp jump on it. Can peppermint shrimp be causing this distruction or am I missing some thing?? My water parameters are: Temp = 82 PH = 8.2 Ammonia (Total) = <.01 Nitrate = 0 Nitrite = 0 SG = 1.025-026 Calcium = 400 - 450 Thought I might remove the Xenia to the refugium for recovery -- any thoughts. TIA, Don __________________ May you be the kind of person your dog thinks you are. Last edited by Bgywrinkle; 08-02-2001 at 09:12 AM.

08-01-2001, 10:22 PM	#4
Bgywrinkle Tenant Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Peabody, MA Posts: 65	Thanks for the posts, I talked to Tom at Inland reef where I bought the Xenia and he believes that the peppermint shrimp are not responsible for the damage nor the blue legged hermit that I have -- thinks it might be some hitchhiker (crab etc) that was with my live rock. When I checked my tank this afternoon, I saw a brown hairy crab scuttle away from the green polyps of the zoanthus. to that end, I have placed 2 clear glass jars with a piece od shrimp in them against the rock formations. Maybe we'll catch crabs. The Xenia is in the refugium at this point and it appears to have dropped some arms -- doesn't seem too positive. Oh well, better now than latter. Will keep all informed. Regards, Don __________________ May you be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

08-02-2001, 09:19 AM	#5
Bgywrinkle Tenant Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Peabody, MA Posts: 65	An Update-- Caught 1 Hairy crab abt 1/2" in size and abt 20 hermit crabs. going to try again tonight just in case there is another lurking in the shadows. Moved the remains of the Xenia to the sump (more flow) and it seems to have recovered -- a little lopsided but all remaining arms are extended and the base has expanded/ extended -- guess time will tell. Regards, Don __________________ May you be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

08-05-2001, 01:58 PM	#6
Bgywrinkle Tenant Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Peabody, MA Posts: 65	Update #2 Second crab was caught and has been move to a new home. Have left the trap with piece of shrimp in for 2 nights and no more crabs (just hermits and my peppermints that contiually try to steal the bait). Xenia is recovering nicely -- will put it back in amain tank late next week and see how it fairs. Regards, Don __________________ May you be the kind of person your dog thinks you are.

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08-01-2001, 12:34 PM	#2
addicted2fish Citizen Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: St. Pete, Florida, USA Posts: 107	Hi Don, My two peppermints never bother the Xenia. In fact, My Red Sea pom-pom just about doubles every month. The only thing I have ever seen bother it was an unidentified crab that I caught munching on some new growth. But I believe there is more than one species called "peppermint shrimp". Good luck, Bill __________________ They aren't spoiled - all kids smell that way

08-01-2001, 08:35 PM	#3
Marsey Tenant Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: South Ogden, Utah, USA Posts: 58	Do you add iron regularly? From what I understand, Pom Pom Xenia requires more iron than other corals. Just a thought...

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