Leather Coral Not Happy

[Dunner1970]

Hi,

I have 130d sea max. Recenlty brought a Leather toad stool coral, it was very shy at first, but after moving close to top of tank, to blossomed. Then, one of my lights went. 2 days later the leather closed up. I have a new light now, but leather remains closed. Its seems a bit droopy, but still sits firlmy on its rock.
My readings are - Sg / Salinity 1025 /34, Temp 25(high) - 26 (low), Nitrate 5-10, Am 0, Nitrite 0, PH 8.4, Alka 160, Phosphate 0, Cal 400.

I did have 4 Aiptasia, which i got rid of with red sea aiptasia x. The leather was not placed near them, but i do have a pink atlantic anemones, which does wonder round the tank alot?

Any ideas? is it dead? or just on holiday?


Cheers

Ricky

 

[sorgan]

They do get sulky apparantly, is it discoloured? It may be getting ready to shed it's outer skin.

Give it a a while and keep an eye in it, I suggest Reading up on leather behavior and have a good look at any info you can find on moults.
Post a pic if you can


edit- I see the spec on your tank stats you have 2 55w lamps, I imagine if that is the case you have enough light.

 

[seffieuk]

As Sorgan said, they are renown for sulking take a look at the archived coral of the week and you will see lots of photos and info

They like good flow, not so fussed about light - however if your nem is wanderinging a lot, I would suggest its not happey, probably because of lighting or flow - if your nem comes in contact with the toadstool or any other coral it will kill it

I would up the temp in your tank as well

Seffie x

 

[bunjiweb]

I've watched my leather corals go through various stages of shrinking, growing and shedding mucus. Although it is not entirely known if there is a specific cycle, Leather corals and others from the sarcophyton group are well known for going through mucus shedding cycles.

Generally I would consider that if the leather coral's tissue is not degrading or deflating, then the coral is still ok, and will soon open up again quite happily.

Ben

 

[ben1987]

Leathers and toadstools do this a lot. i wouldnt worry.

Id just make sure its not in really high flow for now.