Mycedium in peril?

[instantsquid]

I was lucky enough to pick up a fabulous red Mycedium elephantotus from STM earlier this week. I rearranged my tank to create the perfect spot for it - it looked fab. :)
However, pretty much as soon as it went into the tank, my Scribbled Angelfish decided the coral looked mighty tasty, and hasn't stopped pecking at it :mad: Now, I know nearly all Angels have the potential to be coral munchers, but I have to say that this surprised me somewhat. He's not really bothered anything else in the tank, and even leaves my Derasa clam alone.

So... what do I do? I can't tell if the Angel is trying to eat the coral tissue, or the mucus that this coral produces. But I am concerned that if I don't intervene, I could be responsible for the demise of a very attractive coral - and I'm not prepared to let that happen.

I could sump the coral in the short term, and let it really settle into my system - what with the Angel's attention, it hasn't really had a chance to expand properly yet. The lighting will only be a couple of T5's, but that should be adequate as a temporary measure.

Any other ideas? Do I just have to accept that if I want to keep my Scribbled Angelfish, corals like this are a no-no?

- Ian

[Roshan]

Ian - I managed to get a excellent piece too recently - I have to say the coral is fantastic and I wouldntwant to let it dismise - you could try the sump idea for a few days and hope that upon re-introduction to the tank your Angel will leave it alone - alternatively perhaps try and position it elsewhere. Last resort will have to be either the angel or coral goes...

[AndyK]

I had a mix of five angels in my tank for nearly three years along with clams, zoo's, softies and LPS with no problem then one day I put a cynarina in and all hell broke loose. Three of them stripped an acan the cynarina and two purple bush corals along with a large amount of zoo's before I could get them out. Two of my angels the flame and coral beauty never touched a thing but my regal, eibls and hybrid lemonpeel ate anything they could. I took the angels out in the end it was the only option.

Andy.

[instantsquid]

Just an update - I've sumped the Mcyedium for the time being. It's about 12" under a couple of T5 PC's so should be happy enough - there's plenty of "food" too, as it's in the DSB section which is directly fed from one of the weirs.

Not sure what to do in the long term though - will probably try it back in the main tank once it's looking happier.

- Ian

[Jonesii]

Not sure what to do in the long term though - will probably try it back in the main tank once it's looking happier.

- Ian

That's what I thought with my Trachyphyllia and my Regal angel - the Regal is a model fish normally but refuses to leave the brain alone. I've tried re-introducing the brain several times to no avail. My choice is regal or brain.
The brain now lives in my fuge under a 150 halide and is doing very well.
You might get away with it but I think you might be lucky if you do.
JMO.

[instantsquid]

You might get away with it but I think you might be lucky if you do.
Looks like you were right, Nick :(
The Mycedium had settled into the sump rather nicely - so this evening I moved it back into the main tank. Within minutes, my Angel was all over it, pecking away. :mad:
So I guess it's back to the sump with it - I really don't think I could sell it.

- Ian

[maestro]

I know how you feel, earlier in the week I bought a lovel acan, looked great in my tank, I was really pleased untill after about 10 minutes the angels just would leave it be, had to remove it in the end and its in my quarantine tank ever since, seems happy enough at the moment.

Tried an acan last year and an angel picked that to death but as I know longer have that individual I thought I may get lucky.