Is this coral sick, or injured?

JT101 · 12-11-2007, 01:14 PM

I picked up a brownish-purple open brain coral the other day. A day after I got it, I noticed it had a small whitish "glob" on its outer rim. It didn't change for the better or worse.

Today (several days later) I noticed that the spot where the "glob" was is now exposed skeleton! It is about 1/4" wide. The entire coral is only about 4" across when fully inflated.

Questions please:

1. Is this sign of disease or injury?
2. If disease, can it be cured - or spread to my other brain corals?
3. If injury - can it be "healed" or will it eventually heal itself?

Thanks for any assistance!
John

michael_cb_125 · 12-11-2007, 03:25 PM

To really be able to help you, we need a few pictures of the coral.

lcstorc · 12-11-2007, 04:46 PM

I would watch it closely. If it gets bigger then I would carefullyremove the damaged area.

JT101 · 12-18-2007, 09:26 AM

Sorry for the delay. I was finally able to take a picture of the coral.

As you can see, a large amount of skeleton is now exposed and seems to be growing slightly each day. The coral extends its sweeper tentacles at night, but does not "swell" during the day as much as it did when I first got it.

On the right, you can see another brain coral I got in June that seems quite healthy.

I am getting the distinct inpression that this brownish colored one is "gone" and cannot be saved. However, I am open to ANY suggestions, please!

Thanks
John

goldenmean · 12-18-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

I am getting the distinct inpression that this brownish colored one is "gone" and cannot be saved. However, I am open to ANY suggestions, please!

Hey John don't give up on him yet.
I have seen them look worst than that at my LFS and they can make remarkable comebacks. I wish I knew what would be best for this brain to help him recover. Pristine water quality is probably the most important thing.
I dont know if low or moderate flow or direct light or shaded would be best.
My initial thoughts are to place him under an overhang (at least partially) so he is not getting too much light and I think moderate flow would be good. But honestly I dont know if that is right.
Im sure if you do some research either here on RS or on the internet you will find the info you need to help him. Hopefully someone else will have some experience with a receding brain.
Good Luck!

fish wilson · 12-18-2007, 11:04 AM

on most skelital species they require stronium and cal for proper growth, as well as iodine for healing. try doing some stronium for tissue resesion.

JT101 · 12-18-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish wilson

on most skelital species they require stronium and cal for proper growth, as well as iodine for healing. try doing some stronium for tissue resesion.

Thanks Fish Wilson. Will this have any ill effect on the healthy one to its right?

JT101 · 12-18-2007, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

I would watch it closely. If it gets bigger then I would carefullyremove the damaged area.

Hi Lynn,

Do you mean actually clip-off the exposed skeleton with a pair of wire cutters or something like that?

Thx
John

goldenmean · 12-18-2007, 01:27 PM

John - I believe Lynn said that before you posted the pic and it sounded like a white growth on the brain not exposed skeleton.

JT101 · 12-18-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenmean

John - I believe Lynn said that before you posted the pic and it sounded like a white growth on the brain not exposed skeleton.

Actually if you look more carefully at my original post I indicated that it started out as a white glob but a few days later there was exposed skeleton, so that was why I thought she meant to remove the skeleton...

goldenmean · 12-18-2007, 01:48 PM

Trachyphlliidae
Has a little info on disease near the bottom of that post. It does kind of look like something has been stinging that Trachy before you got it. The rest of it looks so healthy.
Since he is extending his sweepers at night I would try to feed him. This will help him heal the damage. If your water quality is good and nothing else is currently stinging him I think he will recover.

goldenmean · 12-18-2007, 01:55 PM

Here is some more info on Trachy disease
TrachyDisFAQ2

There is more info out there Google "Trachyphyllia disease"

JT101 · 12-20-2007, 12:24 PM

Very strange things going on...

More of the skeleton is showing. I checked my levels last night. Ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 10 (they are always between 5 and 10, so they have not gotten worse), salinity is 1.025, temp is 80F consistent. I don't understand.

Last night I tried to target feed with defrosted Cycop-Eez and even defrosted mysis shrimp (it even though its tentacles were not extended). It did not eat. About 20mins later I saw some tentacles exposed. I tried feeding it again but, whereas when it was new it would produce some kind of sticky sustance and "trap" food particles in this goo (later pulling it inside of itself as it folded in around itself), there was no goo to be seen. So, the food just floated off into the tank for my fish to gobble up.

This morning I noticed that more tentacles are exposed and it seems a little puffier than it has been but I didn't try to feed it.

My palythoa colonies are doing great, and so is my sun coral. So, what could be wrong? Even my zoas are fine.

NOTE: I discovered a huge colony of aptaisia in the back of some of my LR. It is far away from my corals, however, does aptasia produce any kind of waterborne toxins that could be slowly "poisoning" my tank?

lcstorc · 12-20-2007, 12:40 PM

Never heard of aiptasia doing that but you could certainly run carbon just in case. It won't hurt anything and may help.

JT101 · 12-20-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcstorc

Never heard of aiptasia doing that but you could certainly run carbon just in case. It won't hurt anything and may help.

Thanks Lynn, I'll give that a try. Tonight I plan on zapping all the aptasias with Joes' Juice anyway so I'll have a little more peace of mind.

12-11-2007, 01:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
JT101 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	Is this coral sick, or injured? I picked up a brownish-purple open brain coral the other day. A day after I got it, I noticed it had a small whitish "glob" on its outer rim. It didn't change for the better or worse. Today (several days later) I noticed that the spot where the "glob" was is now exposed skeleton! It is about 1/4" wide. The entire coral is only about 4" across when fully inflated. Questions please: 1. Is this sign of disease or injury? 2. If disease, can it be cured - or spread to my other brain corals? 3. If injury - can it be "healed" or will it eventually heal itself? Thanks for any assistance! John

12-11-2007, 03:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
michael_cb_125 Manta Ray Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 3,227 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is this coral sick, or injured? To really be able to help you, we need a few pictures of the coral. __________________ 240 Gallon MIXED REEF SUPER TANK Well at least thats what I want it to be 240 Gallon Custom Made Starphire Tank Life Reef Custom Sump,Life Reef Skimmer, Little Giant Return, 2 1200gph Koralias, 2 1580 GPH Tunze Turbelles, 1 Vortec, 72" Solaris I series, PM Kalk Reactor, Custom Made Fug, way to many more things to list Jose say hello to your NEW LITTLE FRIEND!!!!!!!!

12-11-2007, 04:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,473 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this coral sick, or injured? I would watch it closely. If it gets bigger then I would carefullyremove the damaged area. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

12-18-2007, 09:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
JT101 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is this coral sick, or injured? Sorry for the delay. I was finally able to take a picture of the coral. As you can see, a large amount of skeleton is now exposed and seems to be growing slightly each day. The coral extends its sweeper tentacles at night, but does not "swell" during the day as much as it did when I first got it. On the right, you can see another brain coral I got in June that seems quite healthy. I am getting the distinct inpression that this brownish colored one is "gone" and cannot be saved. However, I am open to ANY suggestions, please! Thanks John

12-18-2007, 11:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
fish wilson Fire Coral Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: fordland. mo Posts: 78 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this coral sick, or injured? on most skelital species they require stronium and cal for proper growth, as well as iodine for healing. try doing some stronium for tissue resesion.

12-18-2007, 01:27 PM	#9 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,063 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this coral sick, or injured? John - I believe Lynn said that before you posted the pic and it sounded like a white growth on the brain not exposed skeleton. __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

12-18-2007, 01:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,063 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this coral sick, or injured? Trachyphlliidae Has a little info on disease near the bottom of that post. It does kind of look like something has been stinging that Trachy before you got it. The rest of it looks so healthy. Since he is extending his sweepers at night I would try to feed him. This will help him heal the damage. If your water quality is good and nothing else is currently stinging him I think he will recover. __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

12-18-2007, 01:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
goldenmean Beautiful Katamari Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 4,063 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this coral sick, or injured? Here is some more info on Trachy disease TrachyDisFAQ2 There is more info out there Google "Trachyphyllia disease" __________________ A 55g link in the GoldenChain My Second Quarantine Tank 2 (+) Year Retrospective of a 12g Nano Jeff What You Think Upon Grows... Have a Smooth Day!

12-20-2007, 12:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
JT101 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Is this coral sick, or injured? Very strange things going on... More of the skeleton is showing. I checked my levels last night. Ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 10 (they are always between 5 and 10, so they have not gotten worse), salinity is 1.025, temp is 80F consistent. I don't understand. Last night I tried to target feed with defrosted Cycop-Eez and even defrosted mysis shrimp (it even though its tentacles were not extended). It did not eat. About 20mins later I saw some tentacles exposed. I tried feeding it again but, whereas when it was new it would produce some kind of sticky sustance and "trap" food particles in this goo (later pulling it inside of itself as it folded in around itself), there was no goo to be seen. So, the food just floated off into the tank for my fish to gobble up. This morning I noticed that more tentacles are exposed and it seems a little puffier than it has been but I didn't try to feed it. My palythoa colonies are doing great, and so is my sun coral. So, what could be wrong? Even my zoas are fine. NOTE: I discovered a huge colony of aptaisia in the back of some of my LR. It is far away from my corals, however, does aptasia produce any kind of waterborne toxins that could be slowly "poisoning" my tank?

12-20-2007, 12:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,473 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Is this coral sick, or injured? Never heard of aiptasia doing that but you could certainly run carbon just in case. It won't hurt anything and may help. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

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