Coral problem, lack of data, reading 1/23/10
Hi Crew,
Thanks to you all, I always can find an answer to any questions I have.
This time I got a problem with my LPS. I had it I'm my tank for about 8 months and it was doing good : reacting to target feeding, normal day/night contractions, was growing slightly too .
<Lobophyllias are typically tough, given basic conditions, care>
I target feed my corals about 3 times a week, partial water change 2 times a week, water parameters are OK.
<...?>
Last night it did not respond to feeding, and this morning I noticed a hole where was its mouth. I'm sure it was not there last night. What it could be?
<Indication of...?>
How can I solve the problem? Everything else is doing well. Even I got Goniopora sp. growing from nowhere on my live rocks.
Thank you very much for all your help to hobbyists like me.
Best regards,
Igor
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/mussiddisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above, to give you input, background into the types of information we're looking for. Bob Fenner>

Scolymia australis tissue receding -- 01/17/10
The tissue on my Scolymia australis has recently started to recede in two areas and has receded to the point that parts of its skeleton are completely exposed.
<Not good>
Its placed on the bottom my 210 gallon tank which is 29" high and is kept under a 14 bulb T5 fixture with individual reflectors, is it getting enough light?
<Maybe>
It is still taking feedings of chopped Mysis shrimp soaked in Selcon 4-5 days a week, so that gives me some hope. My water parameters are as follows:
Temperature : 78 F
Spg. : 1.026
Calcium : 420 ppm
Alk. : 9.5 DKH
Magnesium : 1375 ppm
Ammonia : 0
Nitrite : 0
Nitrate : 2.5 ppm
PO4 : undetectable
<Need some>
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Doug
<Mmm, what other organisms are present in this system? Which are "nearby"?
What is their behavior? What chemical filtrants do you use on what schedule? Do you use Ozone, measure RedOx? Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/mussiddisfaqs.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: Scolymia Australis tissue receding 1/17/10
Hey Bob,
<Doug>
My tank has a Sailfin Tang, Kole Tang, 2 Percula Clowns, 3 Firefish, 2 Exquisite Wrasses, 7 Green Chromis, 3 Large Cleaner Shrimp and a cleanup crew comprised of Nassarius, turbo & dwarf Cerith snails. I keep mainly LPS and Ricordeas, but have a large leather coral as well.
<This... may be involved in the deteriorating condition of the Scolymia>
I run GFO
<Why?>
& GAC in reactors which I change out monthly, top off with Kalkwasser and dose for Magnesium and Alkalinity as needed. Do you think chemical warfare carried out by the leather could be to blame as it is located approximately 8" above the Scolymia?
<As stated, could be>
Wouldn't the GAC take care of chemical warfare issues?
<To some extent>
I've attached pictures of the portion of my tank where I keep my Scolymia and leather. Thanks Bob!
<The Scolymia should be placed directly on the bottom/substrate. BobF>

My Acan has worms (?)
Dear Crew,
<Russ>
I received an Acan frag in a trade yesterday. The frag appeared healthy in the tank of the original owner; however, when I arrived home I noticed some stringy material coming in the bag with the coral. At first I assumed this was mucus, but when I went to lift the coral from the bag all the "strings" seemed to retract back to the surface of the coral. On the surface, there appeared to be many objects that looked like balled up threads, as if it had been rolled between your fingers.
<Mmm>
Upon closer inspection, I could distinguish some slow movement in these objects. What concerns me more is that I then noticed several spots on the surface of the coral where it appeared as though these worms (assumption) are coming through the flesh of the coral. I took the following pic
<No image attached, linked... embedding doesn't work with this program>
in hopes that you can help me identify what these creatures may be. I hope it is clear enough to give you an idea of what I'm seeing. Oh, and yes, this piece (as with all new arrivals) will be going into quarantine not my
display.
<Thank goodness... well, your forethought>
Thanks, as always, for your help.
<I suspect these "worms" may be part of this coral's structure, but even if separate organisms, not likely deleterious... or so much so that the colony will perish as a consequence, or "spread" troubles to your other organisms.
Please do send along a well-resolved image. Bob Fenner>

Re: My Acan has worms (?) 10/21/09
My apologies. Here is another attempt with the photo attached this time.
<Mmmm, well... these might be worms (if so, best guess at phylum is the Nematodes)... Or just "mesenterial filaments"... IF you're very concerned you could run a vermifuge in your quarantine to eradicate if Vermes... See WWM re. BobF>

Invertebrate ID and Bleaching 5/27/2009
Hey, I have another favor to ask of you,
<Hi Darren.>
I bought another coral over the past week and I have a concern with it. It was told to me it was a Large polyp stony, called a pineapple or Favia species of coral,
<Hmm, it is a Brain or Pineapple coral, family Mussidae. More information
here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mussidae.htm >
a search of a few websites seems to confirm this, but the LFS told me that it likes pretty intense lighting from metal halide,
<Depends on the species.>
so I placed it on top of my display tank near the light I have, a Solaris 14inch LED fixture, which again to me seems as bright as at least a 250 watt metal halide, and the concern I have is that it seems to be bleaching, especially the reddish brown raised portion of the coral,
<Likely so.>
the green "eyes" don't seem to be affected as much yet, but the coral in general doesn't seem to be as colorful and full of life as it was in the store tank, and they had it in a large metal halide lit tank.
<May have been under metal halides, but still a lot of variables, hold old were the bulbs, water clarity, etc.>
I acclimated the coral very slowly and the parameters of my tank are what I think pretty pristine, so I ask of you your expertise on if I should re-locate this new coral to a lower more shaded area, or let it recover from whatever it is that it doesn't seem to like about my tank?
<Definitely get it lower in the tank, near the bottom, and start working it up over the course of a couple of weeks until you find a spot it seems to be happiest. You can do some supplemental feeding to help overcome the bleaching.>
Thanks in advance for your help....
<My pleasure>
Darren
<MikeV>

Re: pH problems - Favia bleaching 5-27-09
Hey, I have another favor to ask of you, I bought another coral over the past week and I have a concern with it. It was told to me it was a Large polyp stony, called a pineapple or Favia species of coral, a search of a few websites seems to confirm this, but the LFS told me that it likes pretty intense lighting from metal halide, so I placed it on top of my display tank near the light I have, a Solaris 14inch LED fixture, which again to me seems as bright as at least a 250 watt metal halide, and the concern I have is that it seems to be bleaching, especially the reddish brown raised portion of the coral, the green "eyes" don't seem to be affected as much yet, but the coral in general doesn't seem to be as colorful and full of life as it was in the store tank, and they had it in a large metal halide lit tank. I acclimated the coral very slowly and the parameters of my tank are what I think pretty pristine, so I ask of you your expertise on if I should re-locate this new coral to a lower more shaded area, or let it recover from whatever it is that it doesn't seem to like about my tank? Thanks in advance for your help....Darren
I'm attaching 2 pics of the coral.
<Hi Darren, not to step into what Mike has already done with you. I noticed that you have another coral in close proximity to this one. Two things immediately come to mind. First, you say you think your lights are equal to a metal halide but is easy to get the exact specs on them and compare to be sure. Second, did they have them under 100's or 250's or what kind of halide because that makes a difference as well. And finally, Okay yeah I have three points not two, I think that you may have issues with the other coral stinging this Favia. I would suggest moving it or the other a bit farther apart.>

Injured Coral? 04/24/09
Good afternoon, I am a little worried about my "button" coral. Although he (she?) continues to expand and contract regularly and displays feeding tentacles at night, the flesh seems to have receded on the one side and there is skeleton showing. Could this be an injury from hermits, snails or our urchin? Or is this a sign of something else?
<I could be wrong, but this does look like an injury more than a decline in health... but I can't be sure.>
- 75 gallon display, 20 gallon sump, approx 80 lbs live rock, 2yrs old
- ammonia, nitrite, nitrate all 0
- PH approx 8.1 - 8.3
- salinity .025 <I assume you mean 1.025>
- calcium approx 380
the coral is about 18 months old, has undergone several moves in the tank but seems happy where he is (for maybe six months). He is not close to anyone else in the tank. Nearest neighbor is a torch coral.
<Uh oh... this could be the culprit if within up to 6in.>
No changes in occupants or landscape since November. I have attached a picture in hopes of some help. I rarely target feed my corals because they are all growing and appear healthy (up to now), but perhaps I should be.
<A little target feeding here might not hurt...>
I own Eric Borneman's coral reference book, but couldn't really come up with a diagnosis from it. We are nowhere near a LFS so I don't even have anyone else I could ask for an opinion. Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to offer. Melanie
<I don't know if it's just the angle of the photo or what, but the way this coral is "receding" looks odd to me. Usually, when a coral starts to recede, the rest of the coral shows at least some signs of declining health. But your coral looks great except for that one spot. Also, it's showing mesenterial filaments. This could be a result of the injury, or a way of fending off an attack. That's why I say it looks like it was injured or is being stung (imo, again, I could be wrong-- I suppose time will tell). How this happened is better your guess than mine... maybe a hermit or another coral.
Cheers,
Sara M.>

Re: Brain Coral Issue ??? 8/8/08 Hello Again, <Greg?> Just to update, the one polyp on the Lobophyllia diminuta did not survive.? This evening after returning home, the tissue of the one polyp was disintegrating.? No problem though, I just brushed it away in clean tank water and put it back in the tank.? All other 9 polyps on this piece appear to be doing fine.? I have no idea what would have caused the one polyp to go south, while the others did fine.? Anyway, I now have one clean and white skeleton next to the other polyps.? Any chance the one skeleton can be repopulated.? <Yes> Please say yes!!! <Ok> Thanks, Greg? <BobF?>