pipe organisms

[new2physh]

are hermit crabs a danger to my pipe organism??

[bertoni]

I'm not sure what animal you mean by a pipe organism. Hermit crabs can be predatory, and might decide to chew on a lot of animals.

[WaterKeeper]

Hi New2physh

To Reef Central

I'm with John. I'm not sure what a pipe organism is. I know you should not put hermits in a pipe organ however.

I'm unsure how they do with a pipe organ coral.

[new2physh]

im not sure what the tech name is but i can tell you that they are a type of coral compiled of small tubes that kind of act like pollups meaning they come out and retract back in to the coral. they are green and have five to seven small tenticals.

[bertoni]

Is it a soft coral, like green star polyps? They have purple tubes that are not rock-hard. They're usually pretty safe. I don't know about other organisms. You could try Eric Borneman's book "Aquarium Corals" for more information on whatever animal you have.

[WaterKeeper]

Well if it is a Tubiapora musica it will have closely bunched reddish tubes. The polyps are usually green. Here is a pic of one-



This coral requires strong light and fairly low flow. It can be fed with phyto or brine shrimp once or twice a week. Hermit crabs should not harm it but it is said that some bristle worms will attack it.