Can this sun coral be saved

[stinkyfishy710]

how can I remove the algae from the skeleton. Should I dip it or try to scrub with toothbrush?

 

[fachatga]

Some lps can handle a dip in hydrogen peroxide. But it can really irritate them and take time foe them to recover. Too long can kill them but it’s amazing for removing algae. Scrubbing probably won’t get that off especially since it’s got tons of coraline on the skeleton. It might be worth a shot but it looks like it’s not doing well and might not make it.

 

[Isopod80]

That sun coral is on the verge of death. Don't worry about the algae for now. The algae is not the main problem, starvation is. Place the coral in a Tupperware of tank water then place that Tupperware in a larger container of tap water with a heater ( you may need to weigh down or place something under the container housing the coral to keep it from floating ) for about an hour in the dark and feed every polyp. I've nursed sun corals that bad back to health before and find that flake food is best at your current stage. OmegaOne flakes are a good option. Anything else takes too much energy to digest and typically gets regurgitated. Make sure a flake lands on each mouth. That coral won't have the energy to extend its feeding tentacles. Do this every day until it starts to show growth. Hopefully you will see the mouths slowly take in the flakes. These corals are non-photosynthetic and require regular feeding as their only source of nourishment. You'll want it as dark as possible when you do this so I'd recommend a red lens flashlight or red cellophane around the lens of a regular flashlight to see what you're doing. Another feeding option if it won't take flakes it to add the fine particulate from frozen mysis shrimp to the water, stir it occasionally and let the coral soak for an hour a day in this. Once it shows a little improvement try the flakes again. The goal is to eventually get it to eat whole frozen mysis regularly but this will take time with its current state. You need to act quickly if you want to save it. It will take work but it is certainly salvageable.

 

[Isopod80]

As long as the polyps begin to recover, the new growth should smother and kill the algae growing right up against it as long as the algae doesn't grow long. DO NOT dip that coral in peroxide, or any other dip solution for that matter, at this stage. It will almost certainly kill it. Deal with the algae once the coral recovers.

 

[stinkyfishy710]

I will try this. I should only keep it in the Tupperware when feeding correct? I bought this a while ago from a lfs it was pretty cheap so I grabbed it thinking it was just a regular coral. It was very healthy when I got it.

 

[Rmckoy]

Instead of removing it from the tank it’s in
Use a soda bottle cut to create a funnel over the sun coral . As long as you can assure each polyp is getting food .

being a nps coral the lfs that sold it to you should have mentioned it’s feeding requirements .

 

[Isopod80]

Instead of removing it from the tank it’s in
Use a soda bottle cut to create a funnel over the sun coral . As long as you can assure each polyp is getting food .

being a nps coral the lfs that sold it to you should have mentioned it’s feeding requirements .

As far gone as this coral is, trying to save it in tank isn't going to work. It needs a more hands on approach to guarantee each polyp clearly eats. If it was in better shape I'd agree with you. Not only that but the volume of wasted food produced to literally baste this coral heavily would put the tank parameters at risk.

 

[Isopod80]

I will try this. I should only keep it in the Tupperware when feeding correct? I bought this a while ago from a lfs it was pretty cheap so I grabbed it thinking it was just a regular coral. It was very healthy when I got it.

Yes, only when feeding. Keep it in the tank the rest of the time. If you have a frag rack you could keep it there so it's closer to the surface for quicker transfer. Try to put it in the Tupperware inside the tank while submerged if possible. If not then lift it in and out quickly to minimize stress. I'd really love to see you save this coral so keep me posted if possible. Any problems just give a shout and I'll walk you through it.

 

[Rmckoy]

As far gone as this coral is, trying to save it in tank isn't going to work. It needs a more hands on approach to guarantee each polyp clearly eats. If it was in better shape I'd agree with you. Not only that but the volume of wasted food produced to literally baste this coral heavily would put the tank parameters at risk.

Moving the coral to another system I’d be worried about parameters being unstable creating more issues .
I do agree with your approach but for some it could be a lot of work with little improvements .

 

[Isopod80]

The parameters really shouldn't shift much using this method if they use tank water in the Tupperware. I've used this exact method on a number of suns like this over the years and it's worked the overwhelming majority of the time. It is alot of work...but it works.

 

[Isopod80]

I will try this. I should only keep it in the Tupperware when feeding correct? I bought this a while ago from a lfs it was pretty cheap so I grabbed it thinking it was just a regular coral. It was very healthy when I got it.

On thing I did fail to mention : when you set up the larger container of tap water with the heater, make sure the heater is set to the same temp as the tank and the water is up to temp beforehand. Usually when I do this I leave the larger container set up and heating 24/7. You're going to be using it everyday anyway. It's always good to have at least 1 spare heater for times like this.

 

[stinkyfishy710]

Do you know if this is just a big amphipod or is this something bad

 

[Isopod80]

It's an amphipod. If I were you I'd place the coral on a rack or something where they can't reach it easily. They will feed on dying corals, etc. It could be attracted by the condition of the sun coral.

 

[Isopod80]

If you don't have a rack than you can gently tie a few slip knots of monofiliment fishing line around the bases of some of those dead polyp skeletons and suspend the frag from the lid or whatever you can in a low flow area. It works in a pinch. It wouldn't take the amphipods long to eat what's left of that coral. Hang it at least halfway up from the substrate and away from any rockwork. Front of tank would probably be best.

 

[Isopod80]

I'm interested in how this is going. Any updates?