Unknown Tunnel Maker

[crazyhaggis]

I’m having a strange problem if it is a problem. The rocks on the right hand side of my tank keep getting under-mined. It is although something is making tunnels under them. Over time this causes my rocks to collapse. I’ve noticed sometimes some of the tunnel’s ‘entrances’ are blocked with shells. During the day my Skunk shrimp likes to hang around this side of the tank, alhtough I've never seen her tunneling. When I check the tank at night I find her hiding behind the rocks on the left side of the tank.

Does anyone have any idea what could be making the tunnels, should I be worried about it and is there anything I can do to prevent rock falls?

 

[crazyhaggis]

Just thought I'd add I have the following fish:
2 tomato clowns, a sergent major and a blue damselfish.

 

[Ace25]

Damsels can dig holes.. seen that many times with the blue damsel. I would guess that is your culprit.

 

[Mustang Boy]

you may have a mantis shrimp in your tank it couldve come with your live rock as a hitchhiker and i know there are species that tunnel in the sand

 

[manowar669]

pistol or mantis shrimp. The shells around the entrance seem like the behavior of my mantis and pistol shrimp (different tanks). they like to re-arrange the furniture.

 

[Fishieness]

pistol or mantis shrimp. The shells around the entrance seem like the behavior of my mantis and pistol shrimp (different tanks). they like to re-arrange the furniture.

that would be my guess too.

 

[crazyhaggis]

Is there anything I can do to help me figure out who's making the tunnels?

 

[Ace25]

Are you hearing any strange noises coming from your tank that you can't figure out? Like "clicking" or the sound of a small tree branch snapping? Those would be the best indicator that you have something like a Mantis/Pistol shrimp in there.

While it is common for the blue damsels to dig holes, it is not common for that fish to stack shells/rocks outside the hole. That is definately a trait of shrimp and jawfish.

 

[Arakkis]

Sounds like a pistol shrimp to me

 

[kcress]

Yes. Fill in the holes, then lay-in-wait after the lights go out. You will probably see the perpetrator..