Acropora sliming a LOT whenever I move it?

LivinTheSwreefLife · Aug 14, 2013

Hi, I have a new piece of acropora that I added to my tank a few days ago. Whenever I move it even a little (still working on a good placement in the tank), it gives off A LOT of clear/white slime. The slime does not seem to bother nearby corals, and the acro still looks healthy hours later. It immediately stops doing it when I stop moving/touching it.

I'm not doing major moves here or moving it up/increasing light or anything, just trying to position it better. I've never had any of my SPS do this before, even with big moves or a lot of handling. Is this unusual? Is it just from stress? Should I worry?

My parameters are as follows, if needed:
SG: 1.025
Alk: 8.9 dkh
Calcium: 380 (working on bringing this up)
Nitrates: 0/Undetectable
Phosphates: 0/Undetectable
Temp: 78.4

Zero Nitrates · Aug 14, 2013

I have an acro that does the same thing. Nothing to worry about.

wakeboardgeek · Aug 14, 2013

Is it a Slimer (green or purple)? If so, That's what they do.

kes · Aug 15, 2013

it's their protective mechanism

spspirate · Aug 17, 2013

Normal reaction to me. You got a healthy coral

LivinTheSwreefLife · Aug 18, 2013

Thanks all for the feedback. It seems to be doing well in spite of the slime-fest whenever I touch it haha

Mr. Microscope · Aug 19, 2013

Yeah, it's supposed to do that. Stop peeving it off. lol

cardiffgiant · Aug 19, 2013

Mr. Microscope said:
Yeah, it's supposed to do that. Stop peeving it off. lol

Was going to say the same thing

. It's normal behavior, but a sign that you're stressing it out.

Do you wear gloves when you handle corals? I wear latex surgical gloves and find that corals don't seem to react as much when they are touched wit hthe gloves versus my bare finger tips.

LivinTheSwreefLife · Aug 19, 2013

I wear those arm-length nitrile gloves from DFS when i work in the tank (ive got a clownfish who will bite until she draws blood).

And i'll try not to keep touching it hehe