Coral Warfare

[JamieC]

Hello all, not sure where to actually post this...but here goes. I've had 2 different SPS suffer from STN recently, and now my fastest growing sps, a bubblegum Digi, is looking unhappy the last 3 days. As far as parameters are concerned, everything has been stable for 6 months. The only thing all 3 have in common is that they are generally down current from a 10" wide/round Hollywood Stunner chalice. The chalice does not have long tentacles typical to the traditional "Hollywood Stinger". They are very short actually, and I haven't had any problems up to this point. But everything else in the tank is happy, with good polyp extension. I repositioned the 2 frags that are STN'ing and time will tell if they make it. I really don't want to lose my Bubblegum Digi colony. How does coral chemical warfare work? Could the Hollywood stunner actually be the culprit even though it doesn't have sweeper tentacles?

I figure someone will ask, so here are my tank specs:

60 gal SPS dominant.
78*, 1.025, Alk 8.5, PH 8.15, NO3 2, PO4 .08, Ca 455, Mg 1500 (freakin Reef Crystals)

Thank you

 

[Retro Reefer]

It could have sweepers that your not seeing.. Some of my chalices put out super long sweepers that are only the diameter of a thread! for the most part these are only seen after lights out and sometimes all you can see is the very tip of sweeper which may ”glow” slightly.

 

[HairyGary]

It could have sweepers that your not seeing.. Some of my chalices put out super long sweepers that are only the diameter of a thread! for the most part these are only seen after lights out and sometimes all you can see is the very tip of sweeper which may ”glow” slightly.

Agreed. That is a big chalice! How far away is the chalice from the SPS? If the other corals are doing well maybe the chalice is feeling good and extending its sweepers. Use a flashlight after lights out to check. To be safe and if you cannot move the BG digi colony, I'd cut a good frag from it and place in another spot. good luck

 

[JamieC]

Maybe the chalice is closer to 8" around, I'm horrible about guessing size. The SPS frags were within 6"...which I know is within sweeper tentacle range. I just simply haven't seen any tentacles. I've spent hours, day and night, trying to catch it red handed with no joy.

I just moved some of my pumps around to influence flow by the chalice. Crossing my fingers.

 

[HairyGary]

Good luck