Favites coral shrinking

[Kaitlynh]

Favites or favia coral not doing so well. Have had it for about a week and a half, it was doing good opening up and sending out feeders but the last couple days looks shrunken. I will post tank parameters when I can. Its in a medium to sometimes high flow (have a alternating gyre powerhead) have attached pictures of the day it was bought and today

 

[TriggerFinger]

What part concerns you? Are you talking about the feeders sticking out? It looks fine to me.

 

[vetteguy53081]

They require moderate light and water flow. salinity of 1.025=1.026 at temp of 78-79 deg and feed 1-2X per week.
Ph range also of 8.1 - 8.2

 

[DeniseAndy]

They do like some nutrients. Feedings for corals is good. They can recover from down to one head if treated properly. Keep things away from irritating it. Make sure it is not in direct flow or heavy flow. Medium to low light.
Good luck!

 

[Kaitlynh]

What part concerns you? Are you talking about the feeders sticking out? It looks fine to me.

When I got it covered the whole plug it was on now half the size and now the ridges are showing

 

[Kaitlynh]

They do like some nutrients. Feedings for corals is good. They can recover from down to one head if treated properly. Keep things away from irritating it. Make sure it is not in direct flow or heavy flow. Medium to low light.
Good luck!

Could the shrinking be from to much flow?

 

[DeniseAndy]

Combination of flow and nutrients would be my guess. They can recover with time.

 

[Kaitlynh]

Combination of flow and nutrients would be my guess. They can recover with time.

Okay ill move to a lower flow area and see if that helps. Thank you

 

[vetteguy53081]

Could the shrinking be from to much flow?

Could be:
Flow
Salinity
Temperature
High Alk or Mag
location in tank

 

[DeniseAndy]

Make sure you are feeding it too. Not directly, but reef roids/coral food at night is best. Hopefully it heals and thrives for you.

 

[Aqua Man]

the picture of the of Favia on the sand, it looked happy. Try putting it back in that spot.

 

[Kaitlynh]

Could be:
Flow
Salinity
Temperature
High Alk or Mag
location in tank

Temp is 80°f
Sg 1.025
Ph 8.1
Nitrates 20-50ppm
Nitrite 0.2ppm
Phosphates 0.5ppm
Kh 150ppm
Calcium 440ppm
Ammonia 0.3 ppm

 

[t5Nitro]

Do you rec feeding LRS reef frenzy or otherwise? I was going to go buy a turkey baster this week to feed the lps at night.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Temp is 80°f
Sg 1.025
Ph 8.1
Nitrates 20-50ppm
Nitrite 0.2ppm
Phosphates 0.5ppm
Kh 150ppm
Calcium 440ppm
Ammonia 0.3 ppm

Nitrates a bit high. Phos getting there. Perhaps time for a water change.
Also bring coral off the sand as it could be getting sand into its mouths and getting irritated. Otherwise parameters look decent

 

[DeniseAndy]

How old is the tank?

 

[Kaitlynh]

How old is the tank?

About 5-6 months

 

[DeniseAndy]

Still young. These guys can like feeding. Good luck! Hope it recovers.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Just noticed a clove or xenia in the picture. Do you have lots of leathers in the tank? Any large ones like sinularia? Just a thought as these guys do not play nice and favias suffer. FME

 

[Kaitlynh]

Just noticed a clove or xenia in the picture. Do you have lots of leathers in the tank? Any large ones like sinularia? Just a thought as these guys do not play nice and favias suffer. FME

Here is a picture

 

[DeniseAndy]

Spotted another possiblity. You have a dwarf angel in the tank. Those guys love lps corals. Could be picking at it. Keep eye on the lobo too. May like the smaller tentacles of the favia though. Did not see any huge leathers that would be an issue.