Hammer Coral! Is it splitting, or dying??? Please Help

[Vincent Esposito]

Hello all,

I'm new to the community and recently started having trouble with my hammer coral. It was doing just fine until a few days ago, now it looks like this. What do you guys think, is it splitting or dying? Please help

 

[Peach02]

it looks healthy to me, how long have you had it and has anything major changed in the tank? can we get a photo from another angle? it also appears that there is some bubble age on the rocks that could be it but we need a better photo of the alge to be sure

 

[Highgrade]

Overall looks healthy, except the one branch looks irritated. Most likely the Cyanno causing the irritation. Has anything been bothering it (fish/Inverts)?

 

[Vincent Esposito]

it looks healthy to me, how long have you had it and has anything major changed in the tank? can we get a photo from another angle? it also appears that there is some bubble age on the rocks that could be it but we need a better photo of the alge to be sure

First off, thank you for the fast reply.
I attached more pictures, I hope this helps.

 

[Vincent Esposito]

Overall looks healthy, except the one branch looks irritated. Most likely the Cyanno causing the irritation. Has anything been bothering it (fish/Inverts)?

Thanks for the fast reply!

I haven't noticed anything bothering it lately, and I know I have a Cyano problem, I'm trying to get it under control with water changes.

 

[Peach02]

First off, thank you for the fast reply.
I attached more pictures, I hope this helps.

it seems to be splitting, Id keep a eye on it and monitor your parameters. Id look into the red algae though I'm not sure but it could be bubble algae id look here for hitchhikers etc http://www.masa.asn.au/masawiki/index.php/Hitchhikers_Guide_to_the_Reef_Tank

 

[Vincent Esposito]

it seems to be splitting, Id keep a eye on it and monitor your parameters. Id look into the red algae though I'm not sure but it could be bubble algae id look here for hitchhikers etc http://www.masa.asn.au/masawiki/index.php/Hitchhikers_Guide_to_the_Reef_Tank

Okay, I will do my best to get the red slime under control. Also I forgot to mention I have had this hammer coral for over a year now. I'll also keep an eye out for hitchhikkers, thanks for your input!

 

[P-Dub]

If you are referring to that single head then yes, that looks to be problematic. It does not look to be splitting off or if it had been splitting it is no longer splitting but dying. It is just that one head though and the rest of the colony looks to be doing just fine. Some times a head just goes. It happens. Something could be stinging or incessantly irritating it that you are not observing during lights out. Take a look a couple of hours after lights out. If the head survives, and it is entirely possible that it can, then no big deal. The dramatic and sudden change indicates a reaction to something. When a head splits, you are likely not going to notice it until much later and long after the split is complete. I have never seen a split or the process of splitting result in the dramatic loss of tissue, quite the opposite. If it survives, based on the current condition and remaining tissue, you may end up with two heads but it will likely be a result of the remaining tissue dictating that split and not a result of a standard splitting scenario. As long as the other euphyllia and the remainder of this colony are looking good, I wouldn't fret too much. Maintain things as they are and keep an eye on things to make certain you are keeping parameters consistent and within norms. Don't make any sudden or dramatic changed in response to what is happening.

 

[P-Dub]

BTW, Vincent, Welcome to R2R! Why not head on over to the "Meet And Greet" thread and introduce yourself.

 

[Dom]

I wouldn't worry about it yet. Keep a close eye on it. It is a lower head and may partially be shielded from light and flow by the heads above it. Maybe try to reposition it to an area with more flow and light.

But for the next day or so, I'd just monitor.