Hole in Hammer Coral Skeleton

[wazupjames]

A few weeks back I lost a Pink Hammer over the course of a few days. It wasn't Brown Jelly, it didn't have polyp bailout, it just simply slowly lost all it's flesh and polyp slowly fell off. Now I have a wall hammer beginning to do the same thing. I took the hammer out and did an Iodine dip, during the process I noticed a hole in the skeleton right below where the flesh is beginning to fall off. What it very interesting about this is I noticed the same type hole in my pink hammer and thought nothing of it at the time, but it was also right below where the flesh began to die off.

So, if there some sort of critter/worm that burrows quite large holes in Euphyllia skeletons that would end up possibly killing them? Have numerous Hammers, Frammers and Torches in the tank - no other issues.

 

[CryptoNautical]

We are going to want to have a list of parameters of your tank.

If you can I'd get a slime sample from one of the corners (towards the edge of the inner skeleton wall), and the hole there, and put it under a microscope to see if there's anything like a protozoan messing with your coral.

 

[wazupjames]

We are going to want to have a list of parameters of your tank.

If you can I'd get a slime sample from one of the corners (towards the edge of the inner skeleton wall), and the hole there, and put it under a microscope to see if there's anything like a protozoan messing with your coral.

Don't have a microscope sadly.

Temp 78.4-78.9 Heater on-off swing
SG 1.025
PH 8.04-8.25 daily swing
ORP 285
Alk 8.31-8.56 daily swing
CA 421
MG 1365
PO4 0.05
Nitrate 6.4

 

[CryptoNautical]

Hmm, I'm not too sure what could have cause the hole there. Your parameters look good. I wouldn't think a crustacean could've caused that. Honestly I'm stumped. I'm a little concerned about that brown tinge on the inner skeleton wall in the picture. I'd keep a eye on that just in case. I've heard of Brown jelly disease weakening the corals bone structure but that was a long time ago I did that research. I'm not too sure if that was disproven.

On another note if you do see progression of the bone or the brown starts to spread on the inner skeletal wall. You could use Chloramphenicol but that is experimental in use with BJD from my knowledge. Just keep a close eye on it. sorry thats the end of my knowledge. I hope more will chime in.

 

[Mikedawg]

Research gall crab maybe

 

[wazupjames]

Hmm, I'm not too sure what could have cause the hole there. Your parameters look good. I wouldn't think a crustacean could've caused that. Honestly I'm stumped. I'm a little concerned about that brown tinge on the inner skeleton wall in the picture. I'd keep a eye on that just in case. I've heard of Brown jelly disease weakening the corals bone structure but that was a long time ago I did that research. I'm not too sure if that was disproven.

On another note if you do see progression of the bone or the brown starts to spread on the inner skeletal wall. You could use Chloramphenicol but that is experimental in use with BJD from my knowledge. Just keep a close eye on it. sorry thats the end of my knowledge. I hope more will chime in.

Thanks for the info.

 

[wazupjames]

Research gall crab maybe

Interesting. Appreciate the response.

 

[Shirak]

A few weeks back I lost a Pink Hammer over the course of a few days. It wasn't Brown Jelly, it didn't have polyp bailout, it just simply slowly lost all it's flesh and polyp slowly fell off. Now I have a wall hammer beginning to do the same thing. I took the hammer out and did an Iodine dip, during the process I noticed a hole in the skeleton right below where the flesh is beginning to fall off. What it very interesting about this is I noticed the same type hole in my pink hammer and thought nothing of it at the time, but it was also right below where the flesh began to die off.

So, if there some sort of critter/worm that burrows quite large holes in Euphyllia skeletons that would end up possibly killing them? Have numerous Hammers, Frammers and Torches in the tank - no other issues.

Huh.. The only thing that comes to mind would be a burrowing mollusk or some sort. The hole is high enough that it would go into the flesh inside the skeleton if it more than superficial. Can you see anything in there with a flashlight?

Definitely would be investigating further if the coral doesn't make it and keeping an eye out on the other Euphyllia.

 

[wazupjames]

Huh.. The only thing that comes to mind would be a burrowing mollusk or some sort. The hole is high enough that it would go into the flesh inside the skeleton if it more than superficial. Can you see anything in there with a flashlight?

Definitely would be investigating further if the coral doesn't make it and keeping an eye out on the other Euphyllia.

It's definitely more than superficial. If I shine a flashlight at it it looks like a deep cavern. I may try sticking a toothpick in there or something...I don't know lol

 

[Jubo]

Maybe dip it and see if any pests come out?

 

[wazupjames]

Maybe dip it and see if any pests come out?

Tried, iodine and revive. Nothing came out, I might have seen the head of something peak out but could have just been debris inside the hole.

 

[Seachelle]

I just had to frag my torch because one of the heads got BJD. I noticed that before it went, the affected head started losing skeleton pieces under the tentacles. Recently, I saw that the remaining head has a hole in the white band. Tonight, I saw two more holes, but one looks like it's healing. I did the KFC coral dip on this torch twice, and it's looking pretty good so far, but the chips worry me. Hopefully the dip killed the offending bacteria and it will all heal up.

Did your hammer make it?

 

[wazupjames]

I just had to frag my torch because one of the heads got BJD. I noticed that before it went, the affected head started losing skeleton pieces under the tentacles. Recently, I saw that the remaining head has a hole in the white band. Tonight, I saw two more holes, but one looks like it's healing. I did the KFC coral dip on this torch twice, and it's looking pretty good so far, but the chips worry me. Hopefully the dip killed the offending bacteria and it will all heal up.

Did your hammer make it?

Unfortunately my hammer did not make it and the issue spread through my tank. I lost all my Hammers, octospawns, and 2 torches. I was able to save my final 4 torches by doing a daily Iodine dip for one week and dosing Dr. Tim's Eco Balance.

I wish I had the needed supplies for the KFC dip as I have read great success stories. I hope things go better for you than they did me.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is not a parameter issue. Either:
Keep an eye on it and see if anything emerges from it such as snail or worm (best with flashlight after lights out
Or
Place coral putty over it.
Try to keep wall hammer within the tank as they stress easily