Elephant Ear Mushroom = Fish Killer???

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I've had one big Rhodactis mushroom that closed up & killed my Mandarin goby that was too stupid to move off it as it slowly closed over the fish. I saw the fish sit on it, then I went back to work. Next I saw that the mushroom was closed up & it slowly opened to reveal a dead, but uneaten fish.

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Once they get big enough, yes they can and will eat fish. Mine ate about a quarter of a clown And it was smaller than yours. It kind of just released the rest of it.

That was a few years back and I have never kept those mushrooms since.

[MikeP]

I've seen pictures of mushrooms eating fish. I'm no marine biologist but I'm pretty sure mushrooms are in the same family as anemones. I wouldn't want a threat like that in a tank your size. I'm actually pretty sure my carpet anemone has caught a fish or two in my tank You might want to sell it or trade at a LFS.

[KennyKen]

Oh boy,
Sorry Carmen, i didnt know i was selling you a killer.

Though i think all your wrasses are to quick and nimble to get picked off by it.

Sure is pretty though with actinics though,

[justinl]

from what Ive seen mostly perching benthic fish like gobies and mandarins are still enough to get caught. Ive seen a clown get caught too. Yes they are related to anemones to a degree but these guys rely more on slowly closing and trapping a fish rather than stinging it to death as an anemone does. I too can't say I see it picking off a wrasse or CBB, but no guarantees.

sure is a nice piece. if you get rid of it, be sure it goes to a decent well-suited home.

[Chaloupa]

My false percs hosted in it when it was in their tank...strange it's been in 3 different tanks with slow moving, small, fast and large fishes with no problems...weird. I really like mine and it's done well....