Problem With Soft Coral

[DarrenUnwin]

Team,

Wonder if you could help. I purchased a soft coral from my LFS name escapes me but I asked the usual questions such as special care, light requirements etc. No major concerns, however the coral keep making new heads as in the picture,then discards them after about a week. Problem is each time the coral gets smaller and smaller and I worried it will eventually die off. It had 5 head when purchased and now only two are being produced.

Water parameters are fine as are the rest of my coral collection. I feed marine delux and live plankton from a good source so I'm stumped for answers.

Many Thanks in advance.

 

[PaulasPets]

Under what kind of lighting where they kept in the store? Maybe they are getting too much light for now, if they where kept in a lower light condition they have to slowly get used to high light conditions.

How long have you had this coral for?

Regards,

Paula

 

[Chac]

I am racking my brain trying to remember the name of this coral

What I do remember is that they are very very difficult to keep healthy in a home aquarium

They are concidered an LPS rather than a Softie

Off to lie down & get the thinking cap on

 

[SkiFletch]

Water parameters are fine as are the rest of my coral collection.

What values do you consider fine? calc? alk? temp? organics?

 

[Fatty]

Lollipop Coral, don't know the proper name.

I would be interested if you have any success, I have seen them and wanted them, but not bought.

The LFS told me it would loose all it's head after transit, but will grow them back.


Keep us posted

 

[PaulasPets]

Lollipop coral is Nephtheis fascicularis or blue palm coral

found this on them:

It is common for the Blue Palm to drop their heads both during transit, and within the aquarium. During this time, the tunicate will cover itself with a clear mucous. This is not an indication of poor health. Within a short time, it will blossom and form new flower like heads. The Blue Palm is non-photosynthetic and has no lighting requirements, but should be placed in an area of strong water current. Though not nescessary (they eat dissolved matter), they will benefit from supplemental feeding with liquid plankton and other dissolved organic foods, as well as benefiting from the addition of iodine and trace elements.

Paula

 

[DarrenUnwin]

Everyone

thanks for the post, I have moved the coral to a more shady part of the tank where the flow is stronger. I hope it will recover, especially as its the one coral my wife loved in the LFS.

Many thanks