Problems in paradise

[marie]

Well, that particular coral died shortly after. Not because of "whatever it" is that was eating it but because of other troubles.

"Whatever it is" survived my tank troubles though and has moved on to new corals, specifically a prostrata that came as a freebie in an order from Snappy.

[Borderjumper]

Can you snip off the branch and get the pest?

[marie]

This particular coral is still small and is encrusting the rock so no I can't snip a branch but in the past I removed a 4" long branch of coral/tube and the tube was empty.
Either the coral grows around the tube or the thing eats its way through the center because the branch I fragged was hollow, the tube running down through the center and almost perfectly round

[Myka]

I've seen this somewhere in my neverending hunt for more info on the 'net. I can't recall what the heck it is though. I will go poking about and see if I can find something for you.

EDIT: Sorry I can't relocate the information.

[Lance]

Hey Marie. Not sure if this is your problem. Google (Halofolliculina corallasia).
a parasite that burrows into the coral and cause rapid tissue loss.

[marie]

I don't think thats the problem, this thing builds a tube as big around as a pencil. I could see the tube travelling along the outside of the coral and where the tube ends there is what appears to be chewed upon corals. The skeleton is eaten along with the tissue

[tang daddy]

marie I've never seen anything like it.....

I have seen in the past though small shell builders in acro colonies that live in the acro structure however they never eat the coral skin like you described what they do is feed by casting a string and these are small like 2mm wide.