Leather corals and large maroon clown

[gwhunter]

I've got a 8" stubby leather coral that has been doing well for me. I the tank there's a large maroon clown that hangs in that area of the tank. The other day I noticed the maroon hanging right under the leather near the base. It appeared he was trying to host it. I was thinking that the leather would be ok with the clown. But today I look and the leather looks real bad and seems to have a few chunks taken out of it. I've also got a emerald crab in there. Two cleaner shrimp and a coral banded. So I'm wondering what could be bothering it? I've heard of clowns hosting anemones to death so I'm thinking the clowns the issue. All my other corals are fine and water params are all correct.
Matt

 

[jackri]

My clowns hosts my leather in my main tank. Just lays in it at night. Yours unfortunately sounds like its being destructive. The other inhabitants arent' know for eating or bother leathers and maroons do have major attitudes.

 

[scopus tang]

Interesting - I've had maroons host leathers as well, never had on destroy the leather in the process, at least not the point of taking chunks out of it. Have you checked at night with a red flashlight to make sure something else isn't bothering the coral?

 

[gwhunter]

I have looked at night and the the shrimp leave it alone. The crab never seemed too interested in the corals before but maybe that's changed. I'll take a look tonite. My hermit crabs had knocked it over when it was first added. When it fell it tore a good chunk out of it. Well to my suprise the tore part fragged and is growing well. I noticed the clown seemed to stay away from it today so I'm pretty sure he's the culprit.
Matt

 

[gwhunter]

I've got three small frags of this leather growing well in the tank. I was thinking the large one would recover in a few days. But it looks the same and doesn't seem to be getting better. The clown is staying away and I looked the other night when the lights were off and nothing was bothering it. So I don't know what to do now is there any saving it?
Matt

 

[gwhunter]

Well, some good news. I had pretty much written off the leather and thought it was dead. It has since healed and perked up. It looks like it's going to be ok, sure is a tough coral. I've been wanting to get a green carpet anemone.
Does anyone think that the clown will prefer the carpet and leave the leather alone? I've read alot about the carpets and know that the clown may not host it at all. But figure it's worth a shot.
Matt

 

[jackri]

My clown that hosts my leather completely ignored my carpet for over a year. Then about another 6 months later decided that the leather was ok to lay in.