Hammer Coral Bleaching

[Bear Claw]

I bought an orange hammer around 3 weeks ago (along with another hammer) and it has suddenly started bleaching. I have a couple of other hammers in my tank that are thriving, including one I bought with the hammer. My parameters are good and I assume the lighting and flow are good because the hammers around it are very happy. It did great for about 1-2 weeks then suddenly rapidly declined. I dipped it well when I got it and it shouldn't have any pests on it. I was thinking I would do a water change tomorrow just in case that is the problem. Any ideas on what the problem is and what I can do?

 

[Lavey29]

Bleaching? Euphyllia don't bleach. Is that a dead head or just a blur on the picture? Is it a brown jelly substance on the dead head?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I bought an orange hammer around 3 weeks ago (along with another hammer) and it has suddenly started bleaching. I have a couple of other hammers in my tank that are thriving, including one I bought with the hammer. My parameters are good and I assume the lighting and flow are good because the hammers around it are very happy. It did great for about 1-2 weeks then suddenly rapidly declined. I dipped it well when I got it and it shouldn't have any pests on it. I was thinking I would do a water change tomorrow just in case that is the problem. Any ideas on what the problem is and what I can do?

Some factors are low calcium (assure no lower than 380), low salinity, insufficient water flow, High phosphates and even flatworms - A few things to check

 

[Bear Claw]

Bleaching? Euphyllia don't bleach. Is that a dead head or just a blur on the picture?

The Skelton will bleach, eventually leading to the heads, killing them.

 

[Bear Claw]

Some factors are low calcium (assure no lower than 380), low salinity, insufficient water flow, High phosphates and even flatworms - A few things to check

Good to know. It gets good flow, and my calcium and salinity are good. There shouldn't be any flatworms but I may be wrong. Hopefully a water change will help and it may just take time for it to settle in. I mostly just want to stop the bleaching.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Good to know. It gets good flow, and my calcium and salinity are good. There shouldn't be any flatworms but I may be wrong. Hopefully a water change will help and it may just take time for it to settle in. I mostly just want to stop the bleaching.

How are you testing and what are your numbers?
Too much flow will stress them and even cause polyps to tear off- keep flow moderate

 

[Lavey29]

The Skelton will bleach, eventually leading to the heads, killing them.

Never heard of that with euphyllia. I know the tentacles can become transparent if it is in decline and close to dying.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

The Skelton will bleach, eventually leading to the heads, killing them.

Not bleaching, that's tissue recession/RTN, bleaching would be where the entire coral simultaneously turns white while the tissue is still alive. what exactly is "good" parameters? Any major swings lately? Any changes in flow?

 

[vetteguy53081]

The Skelton will bleach, eventually leading to the heads, killing them.

Sort of. The calcium and protective slime diminishes leaving the skeleton bald in a term of speaking giving it that white appearance.

 

[Bear Claw]

How are you testing and what are your numbers?
Too much flow will stress them and even cause polyps to tear off- keep flow moderate

I am testing using Hanna Testers. I don't have my numbers with me currently but I know my calcium and magnesium are a bit high.
I will check the flow. I don't think it is too high however because the coral beside it is doing great and is getting the same flow.

 

[Bear Claw]

Sort of. The calcium and protective slime diminishes leaving the skeleton bald in a term of speaking giving it that white appearance.

Not bleaching, that's tissue recession/RTN, bleaching would be where the entire coral simultaneously turns white while the tissue is still alive. what exactly is "good" parameters? Any major swings lately? Any changes in flow?

Ah okay. I did not know that. Good to know thank you both.

 

[Bear Claw]

Not bleaching, that's tissue recession/RTN, bleaching would be where the entire coral simultaneously turns white while the tissue is still alive. what exactly is "good" parameters? Any major swings lately? Any changes in flow?

I have been messing with the flow slightly but not at all to affect that coral. I will do a water change tomorrow and test after. I will get back to you then on my parameters. I do know that my ALK, MAG, and CAL are a bit high and my nitrates and phosphates are a bit low. All are still in the range of the recommended on the Red Sea Coral Pro Salt however.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

I have been messing with the flow slightly but not at all to affect that coral. I will do a water change tomorrow and test after. I will get back to you then on my parameters. I do know that my ALK, MAG, and CAL are a bit high and my nitrates and phosphates are a bit low. All are still in the range of the recommended on the Red Sea Coral Pro Salt however.

Have any exact numbers?

 

[DenaliDan]

What happened here? Any improvement?