Browning or dying Acropora cervicornis

[i cant think]

Escenius lineatus was nipping my Acropora cervicornis or Staghorn acropora. Annoyingly, the acro isn’t displaying the fluffy polyps anymore. But is it dying or can it recover?

removal of the blenny isn’t an option unfortunately so is there any other way this coral can recover? It’s my dream to have Staghorn colonies in this tank.

 

[i cant think]

Blue lights are on and there is definitely still some of the flesh, photos can’t pick it up but there is a big beautiful chunk of neon green. Very few chunks of white patch so maybe it can recover? Or do SPS corals NEED polyp extension to grow?

 

[vetteguy53081]

No polyp extension. . Can be:
Insufficient lighting and/or flow
Lack of nutrients
low CA
High or low alk

What test kits are you using ?

 

[i cant think]

No polyp extension. . Can be:
Insufficient lighting and/or flow
Lack of nutrients
low CA
High or low alk

What test kits are you using ?

Red Sea test kits, my nutrients are all above what they should be.

I do have a blenny nipping the coral and they’re known to nip the SPS polyps specifically so that’s most likely why I have no extension - Every other coral in the tank is doing great. Polyp extension on the montipora spongoides is fantastic and my Hammer, Caulastrea and mushrooms have never been better.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Red Sea test kits, my nutrients are all above what they should be.

I do have a blenny nipping the coral and they’re known to nip the SPS polyps specifically so that’s most likely why I have no extension - Every other coral in the tank is doing great. Polyp extension on the montipora spongoides is fantastic and my Hammer, Caulastrea and mushrooms have never been better.

Ahh blenny. They circle areas with coral branches and sponges, scraping their way along the diverse sea bottom. Their feeding techniques are to pound and gnaw the coral, and as a result, they ingest detritus, or waste material primarily, from the coral. This includes bits of coral skeleton, sand, gravel, and other organic matter, such as fish eggs and tiny crustaceans.

 

[i cant think]

Ahh blenny. They circle areas with coral branches and sponges, scraping their way along the diverse sea bottom. Their feeding techniques are to pound and gnaw the coral, and as a result, they ingest detritus, or waste material primarily, from the coral. This includes bits of coral skeleton, sand, gravel, and other organic matter, such as fish eggs and tiny crustaceans.

So could he be the reason my polyps aren’t extending (Annoying the coral possibly) or is this just me accusing a fish of something he may not be doing?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So could he be the reason my polyps aren’t extending (Annoying the coral possibly) or is this just me accusing a fish of something he may not be doing?

High likelihood. Lawnmowers are the worst when it comes to irritating coral

 

[i cant think]

High likelihood. Lawnmowers are the worst when it comes to irritating coral

Thanks! This is Escenius lineatus - Close relative to a bicolor and they’re also known for being bad irritants.

Any ideas if the polyp extension is a need for a coral to grow or not?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks! This is Escenius lineatus - Close relative to a bicolor and they’re also known for being bad irritants.

Any ideas if the polyp extension is a need for a coral to grow or not?

Some of mine grow, and rarely do I see polyp extension. They tend to extend their polyps more under low light or at night. Corals can be healthy without polyp extension but that’s typically the case only if there are fish that bother or nip SPS although it can be one of those species that just does not extend polyps frequently.
Too much water flow will also deter extension

 

[i cant think]

Some of mine grow, and rarely do I see polyp extension. They tend to extend their polyps more under low light or at night. Corals can be healthy without polyp extension but that’s typically the case only if there are fish that bother or nip SPS although it can be one of those species that just does not extend polyps frequently.
Too much water flow will also deter extension

Thankyou for the help! I really appreciate it, this is one of my dream SPS and I would’ve hated no growth. I’ll probably directly feed the acro and monti tonight then see how they are in the morning.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thankyou for the help! I really appreciate it, this is one of my dream SPS and I would’ve hated no growth. I’ll probably directly feed the acro and monti tonight then see how they are in the morning.

Turn off pump for 5 mins and gently squirt food suspended over the coral. Generally gets them excited for food

 

[damsels are not mean]

Blue lights are on and there is definitely still some of the flesh, photos can’t pick it up but there is a big beautiful chunk of neon green. Very few chunks of white patch so maybe it can recover? Or do SPS corals NEED polyp extension to grow?

Polyps are in because of nipping. In fact "good" polyp extension during the day is abnormal and only something we see in a tank because in the wild there are lots of predators. The polyps will probably be more open at night usually, but they don't need to be open.

 

[i cant think]

Well, figured an update on this coral was needed, so here it is:
Unfortunately it died however I’m now regrowing my acros and have 4 healthy frags in my nano. The stag I just to do it’s own thing however it got knocked into the shade so it bleached unfortunately. Also the browning hasnt occurred on the New frags. And old frags are regaining colour.

The blenny is VERY close to going out. I may ask my LFS about giving in a rogue blenny and seeing if they’re happy with it. If not then I may see if I have territory in my 4’ tank and have 2 blennies in the house - I’d love a “Tiger” Tail blenny which looked more like a bicolor blenny with black stripes through the yellow tail and a more blue head.