Duncan bleaching/not opening

[Nemo1]

I’ve got 2 different Duncan pieces one is 5 heads and the other is about 15, both have been on top half of the tank, the 15 head has been closed for 4 days now and the heads used to be a bright greenish colour but are now grey, the smaller one is still happy and everything else is doing good, what could be wrong?
I have lowered it nearer the bottom incase it was the lighting but it’s been fine at the top until recently

 

[Nemo1]

Anyone?
ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0.25
Phosphate 0
Calcium 480
Temp 78
Kh 9

 

[ZipAdeeZoa]

Do you have any photos? Possibly before and after?

 

[Nemo1]

The photo from before is from a few weeks ago, not great quality but all I got
Other photo was took right now

 

[ZipAdeeZoa]

Although I don't see any in the before photo, was it near any other coral besides the candycane that could have stung it?

 

[Nemo1]

There was a Zoa rock next to it but the Duncan was a about an inch away when fully opened, there was a small hammer frag that had fell of the rock the one day might’ve stung as it fell? That’s all that’s been near it

 

[ZipAdeeZoa]

Although not super likely its certainly happened before- does the hammer falling incident correlate with about when your duncan started having issues? Hammers do have pretty solid sting.

 

[Nemo1]

I think it was around the same time yeah, is there a way to tell if it is a hammer sting? As it shows in the photo it has discoloured only the one side so far so seems like some type of sting?

 

[Jax15]

Duncans are supposed to be super easy to keep, but I've always sort of struggled with them. On the other hand some people struggle to keep torches/euphilia, and I've always found them easy to keep.

Not sure what it is about Duncans for me, one day happy healthy, next day slow decline.

It might not hurt to get your phosphate up a bit. Try doing some extra feedings for the next couple weeks, the Duncan may need more nutes.

 

[ZipAdeeZoa]

It's certainly possible thats the issue but we are starting to get into territory I can't be too helpful in since I only have one duncan and don't have experience with them being stung. It honestly doesn't look as bad as I though it would be if a hammer stung it albeit it seems it was a very brief window of contact. If thats the case I would just try and keep things stable and maybe try feeding some of the more open heads an lps pellet or something similar. They are usually pretty hardy corals so as long as its not getting noticeably worse I'd expect it to recover eventually. Thats assuming the hammer falling is what caused this which unfortunately we can't be 100% sure thats what happened unless you saw it make contact or pulled the hammer off of it. I'm just not sure what else it could be especially if the other duncan is fine.

 

[Copingwithpods]

I really don't think it's sting damage, mine hold hands all the time with no lasting effects

Is your PO4 really zeroed out that could be your issue. How's your alk been, a sudden spike or dip will definitely stress it out.

 

[Nemo1]

Yeah nutrients I was also thinking, I’ll try raise phosphates a bit and see if that helps,
As for if it was the sting, do they either recover or die? Or is there something I can do to heal it?
i used to feed it frozen brine shrimp every other day, since its been closed I’ve been using Red Sea Ab coral food and putting that directly on it

 

[Nemo1]

My phosphates have been 0 the whole time never seen them anything different, I use the salifert for phosphates

 

[Copingwithpods]

Yeah nutrients I was also thinking, I’ll try raise phosphates a bit and see if that helps,
As for if it was the sting, do they either recover or die? Or is there something I can do to heal it?
i used to feed it frozen brine shrimp every other day, since its been closed I’ve been using Red Sea Ab coral food and putting that directly on it

From my experience they deal with stings pretty well on their own and I've never done anything to speed up recovery as I have never witnessed any actual damage even when they hold hands for extended periods of time.

On the AB+ don't blast them with it just broadcast it as it isn't something they can drink up quickly. You can however try to rehydrate pellets or freeze dried foods with AB+ for a highly enriched food.

 

[Nemo1]

as for the placement of the coral, should I leave it nearer the bottom while it heals, or move it back to where it was at high light?
how long does it take for them to heal from stings if that is the problem?
will also try rehydrating pellets with the AB+

 

[Copingwithpods]

Mine is usually out 24-48 hours after a very bad sting. I'd leave it where it is for now and let it adjust and recover.

 

[Nemo1]

It has been about 6 days, it does open a tiny bit in the night around 7-8
Lights go out at 8:15
Hopefully it gets better soon, thanks for all the advice

 

[Miller535]

following

 

[Nemo1]

Just to update, it opened up fully today, not sure what the actual cause of it closing was but atleast it’s back happy

 

[Copingwithpods]

Hey good to hear, duncans are cryptic sometimes glad to see it worked out.